Pilar Sanders has a history of standing up for her sons when things get ugly. She has never shied away from speaking out when the NFL community chooses to play favourites, whether it was to defend her son from rudeness or to call out the silence around systemic prejudices in the draft room.

Pilar uploaded a fiery Instagram reel a few weeks ago, which brought the PR machine to its knees. The video analysed how Shedeur Sanders’ achievements and media presence appeared to be overlooked in the NFL’s narrative, while future golden boy Arch Manning is still praised only for his legacy. “Next year… when Arch Manning comes out, compare how they talk about his family as opposed to the way they talk about Shedeur’s…” the speaker in the reel said, and Pilar co-signed it with her platform.

So Pilar’s return to the ring was not surprising when Antonio Brown took a jab at Shilo Sanders. Recently, a clip surfaced that captured Shilo Sanders, who is currently with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, locking horns with former Super Bowl champion Antonio Brown during a training session. The video, posted by JaKi on X, shows Shilo physically controlling AB and blocking him to the turf in a clean rep that went viral right away. Pilar? She quickly reposted the video to her Instagram story, which was labeled as “AB getting owned by Shilo Sanders 😭😭🔥.” 

The timing? It just couldn’t be better. Because AB was not only beaten on video, but also by the Sanders’ son, he attempted to clown online. First, AB had attempted to launch the smear campaign. When Brown was still in playing form, he shared a video of a teenage Shilo getting outrun during a workout that was taken six years ago. The inference? Shilo was still not ‘ready’ to play in the league. But it was high school. Now that he is playing for Todd Bowles, this adult has a genuine opportunity to establish himself.

“He’s a very smart player, and he understands the game very well… I think he’ll show himself well,” Bowles said in support of the signing. In spite of this,  AB attempted to rewrite the story in his own narrative. However, Shilo’s mother openly and loudly turned the tables on him. She did the same for Shedeur. And whereas Pilar chose to be loud, Deion Sanders chose silence with a smile, of sorts.

Deion Sanders chooses grace over grudge

After all, Shilo wasn’t the only target of Antonio Brown’s attacks. Shedeur Sanders, who recently fell to pick No. 144 in the NFL Draft, AB threw a shot at him as well. “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.” AB wrote in a now-deleted X post that featured Shedeur at John Marshall High School during a community visit.

Low blow, AB. Deion’s alleged ‘little brother’, who publicly ridiculed his son’s draft slide. But how did the Coach Prime respond? He posted this: “@AB84 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.” It’s not a retort. That’s controlling your anger when they hit so low.

But do you remember? Antonio Brown used to idolize Deion Sanders. He took inspiration from Prime for his extravagant game-day look. “Like some of my idols were like Deion Sanders… I watch him catch like a helicopter or a jet to play professional baseball and go down as the best receiver,” he said in 2013.  So, where’s that respect and admiration now? By taking aim at Deion’s persona and calling him a “agent, coach, commentator, preacher,” AB is destroying that bond and writing: “Deion stupid a–… Ain’t buying that s— 💩.”

These days, Antonio Brown’s feed resembles a highlight reel of personal grudges. He is obviously on a mission because he first violated Shedeur, then clowned Shilo, and ultimately made fun of Deion’s leadership. However, the Sanders family has only responded so far with grace and silence. Let’s see how long it lasts.