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Something doesn’t sit right in Tampa Bay. After Shilo Sanders joined the team as an undrafted free agent, it was supposed to be a smooth ride to glory. But this is not a fairytale, and Shilo is far from the prince who gets a happy ending immediately. Instead, he’s left worrying. Not about the playbook. Not about the depth chart. Not even about making the 53-man roster. He’s worried about one thing only, if we leave out Antonio Brown’s unprovoked scathing attacks at the youngster—that’s something the safety has apparently left to his father to handle.

Let’s get straight to it: Shilo Sanders didn’t hear his name called in the 2025 NFL Draft, while his little brother Shedeur got scooped in the fifth round by the Browns. But the 25-year-old didn’t have to wait for long. Just a few hours after that final draft pick, his phone lit up. It was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Turns out, the only reason that call even happened was because the player finally signed with real representation. Or in this case, a professional sports agent, Drew Rosenhaus—who’s reportedly represented the likes of Tyreek Hill, Antonio Brown and Warren Sapp. What that means? Well, the father was essentially ‘fired’ by his son. Shilo Sanders said it himself on Twitch, “Dad was our agent, but that hasn’t been working out too good. So today I had to sign with an agent.”

That decision? Timely, and one that paid in dividends. Rosenhaus made one call and got Bucs GM Jason Licht immediately convinced. “After the draft his agent reached out if we would be interested–Todd & I looked at each other nodded & said ya let’s do it,” Licht revealed about the moment. Understandably, Shilo won’t even be plan A in the roster. The Bucs already had six guys slotted. But Rosenhaus pushed, and now the Colorado DB got a shot to prove he belongs. Sporting a Buccaneers cap in his yard, he took to IG, posting, “Thank you, God, for everything! & Thank You @buccaneers for believing in me #Headachegang™⃣ CEO.” But here’s the thing — the Florida move isn’t all palm trees and sunshine.

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Shilo pulled up to the CU facility on May 2 to train and link with old teammates. But his biggest worry? That southern air. “It’s not really the heat, it’s the humidity,” Shilo told the CU cameraman. “You walk out the hotel and it’s literally just—you feel like you gotta take a shower.” And he isn’t lying. Boulder sits crisp and dry at 5,400 feet—perfect for athletes. Tampa? That’s 90 degrees of suffocating sweat where your jersey is sticking to you even before the warmup starts. That’s why Shilo plans to go in early and get adjusted to the Florida weather.

Now, you might think humidity’s just a weather report, but no—it’s a real test. Florida’s thick air straight-up drains you. In Boulder, workouts feel light. In Tampa? They feel like punishment. And for a guy coming off an ACL tear and a broken forearm, adapting isn’t just physical—it’s mental. But the Sanders boy has got that old-school grit. “I’m built for Florida,” he laughed. “Hoping my Prime Time genetics kick in.” With six college seasons and 67 tackles in 2024 alone, he’s got the resume. Now he just has to make it stick.

But the thing is: The NFL doesn’t have time for cute stories. Todd Bowles is a defense-first coach, and if you can’t survive practice in that jungle humidity, you won’t last on Sundays. From Fort Myers roots to Boulder to Tampa—it’s a full circle. Coach Prime already called Licht personally to thank him. “Tampa’s a wonderful spot. Coach Bowles is brilliant,” Prime said on Twitch. But Shilo’s seat isn’t guaranteed. He’s got to battle through camp and earn a spot—or risk getting cut and watching the league from the couch. What makes it more complicated?

Controversial retired wide receiver Antonio Brown’s attempt to stir the pot!

Deion Sanders claps back at Antonio Brown after he threw shade

While Shilo’s out here trying to beat the heat in Tampa, Antonio Brown has been on a different type of smoke. Out of nowhere, AB hopped on X and started throwing shade at Coach Prime, calling him out for playing too many roles. Then it got wild—AB dropped some dusty 2019 footage of him clowning Shilo in a workout. We’re talking spin moves, dead legs, and straight-up route god behavior. Shilo was still in high school.

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Top Comment by Awareness73

Bob Scott

It’s exhausting reading obviously biased opinions, because it’s obviously not journalism at work, in these write up. Has everyone resorted...more

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The internet ate it up, of course. Memes started flying. Old heads started chirping. “Shilo ain’t ready for the league!” What AB didn’t post? The clips where Shilo stood his ground, showed footwork, and made a few plays. Looks like those weren’t viral-worthy for AB.

Coach Prime saw it all—and he responded in the most Prime way possible. “Love ya man & I appreciate u my brother. I will never publicly or privately speak negatively on you man, regardless of what’s said… Even when I played corner I ain’t need no help. Lolol. Love ya 2 Life! PRIME,” he wrote on X, tagging AB. That’s a masterclass in finesse. Like, Prime just hit AB with the spiritual backhand—all love, but also a clean jab: I don’t need any help.

That post isn’t just a clapback—it’s a chess move. Deion knows the game. He’s watched the headlines shift from his coaching tactics to his parenting to now his sons entering the NFL. It’s personal now. Shilo and Shedeur both got targets on their backs.

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So yes, Florida’s hot. Tampa’s got no chill. Antonio Brown is throwing shade. But Shilo Sanders? He’s walking into that furnace with his chest out. The road’s tough. The odds? Steep. But this isn’t about legacy—this is about survival. And you best believe, if Shilo makes it through that Buccaneers gauntlet and grabs a roster spot… that humidity is going to feel worth it.

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Can Shilo Sanders prove his worth in Tampa's heat, or is he just another draft miss?

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