Sliding to the fifth round at No. 144 to the Cleveland Browns is enough heartbreak in itself. But the cruel world didn’t leave Shedeur Sanders alone. And it’s not easy for any dad to stay silent while the world hates on your son. It’s harder when the person spreading negativity is someone you know well. Someone you actually consider an extended family, someone who’s like a son. This time, Deion Sanders made his case clear in a subtle yet direct message to the former Pittsburgh Steelers WR who’s been throwing mud on his son’s draft slide. 

In his X post on May 2, Deion Sanders directly tagged Antonio Brown with the message — “Love ya man & I appreciate u my brother. I will never publicly or privately speak negatively on you man regardless of what’s said. You KNOW I know u and I’m holding on & praying for the AB I know. Even when I played corner I ain’t need no help. Lolol. Love ya 2 Life! PRIME.” Let’s just say Deion Sanders was lenient with his response given the way AB came on at Shedeur Sanders. 

Antonio Brown shared a video of Shedeur Sanders visiting and engaging with student-athletes at John Marshall High School during his first week in Cleveland. But it’s the explicit caption that rubbed everyone wrong. “Now he su—-g d— where the cockiness 5th round na now this the type of s— they have u do when u go 5th round,” he wrote. Now, Brown is undoubtedly a controversial figure, but does the 23-year-old deserve such ruthless treatment? 

You see, Deion Sanders and Antonio Brown used to have a good father-son-like relationship. The 7x Pro Bowler even credited the Buffs HC for his flashy style that sets him apart from the crowd. “Like some of my idols was like Deion Sanders,” he said in 2023. “I watch him catch like a helicopter or a jet to play professional baseball and go down as the best receiver.”

While a tremendous athlete himself, Brown had a premature career ending when he exited a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game in a controversial manner in 2021. Since then, he’s maintained a high social media profile, often delivering contentious posts. Shedeur’s draft slide gave him a renewed will to throw the Sanders’ family under the bus despite their past affinity. And Shedeur isn’t the only Sanders son who has a target on his back.  

Antonio Brown trolls both Deion and Shilo Sanders

Antonio Brown isn’t sparing anyone. When Shilo Sanders went to his former Tampa Bay team as an undrafted free agent, he didn’t waste a second to plant doubts in people’s minds. In his X account, he posted a 2019 reel of him outrunning Shilo in a workout, making him look silly. But that was six years ago, and AB was still a seasoned receiver back then. Shilo? He was just a high school boy. Now at 25, whether or not he makes it to the Bucs’ final roster remains to be seen. 

And about Deion Sanders. He got his fair share of criticism. In another X post, Brown blasted the HoF for getting his hands on multiple roles. “Deion stupid a– trying to be agent, coach, commentator, preacher. Ain’t buying that s— 💩,” he wrote.

Also, that Shedeur’s jersey retirement thing didn’t sit well with AB. He made a case for that when Dr. Umar suggested that Sanders should sue the NFL for $40 million for Shedeur’s draft slide. “😂😂😂😂 yall not serious. U know who should sue then… Kordell Stewart. Sue Sanders family & Colorado. No reason Shedeur jersey retired before Kordell. Kordell got top play in Colorado history 2. Smokes n Jokes season! #CTESPN.” Pretty spicy, huh?

We’ll see what unfolds in the coming days. But as of now, it’s clear Deion Sanders and Antonio Brown are burning that bridge of affinity they built years ago.