Parenting is hard, even when you’re part of the Sanders household. Deion Sanders and ex-wife Pilar Sanders have been at loggerheads with each other over their daughter, Shelomi’s decision to move on from Colorado. Father and head coach, Deion, was so unamused by Shelomi entering the transfer portal without prior association with an alternative team, that he called her move downright “stupid.”

His comment soon catapulted into criticism, which saw Pilar Sanders step in to support her daughter’s decision to finally stop following a route defined by her father’s career and chart a new one for her own. In a recent Instagram reel video, Pilar amplified Shelomi’s choice and celebrated her association with a brand-new team. 

Shelomi leaves Boulder for the Bulldogs 

Not too long ago, Shelomi announced her arrival at Alabama A&M, proudly displaying her new jersey and embracing the Bulldog Nation. Pilar took a queue from there and posted an Instagram reel that showcased Shelomi in her brand new Bulldog jersey sporting the number 22. A special number that ties her close to her father, and two-sports star Deion Sanders. Deion Sanders sported the same number during his professional football days in the NFL. Pilar captioned the post with: “Babeeeeeee,” reflecting the excitement and celebratory mood the mother-daughter duo was basking in. 

Sanders’ journey from Jackson State to Colorado and now to Alabama A&M reflects her resilience and determination, despite facing challenges and limited playing time in college. Her collegiate career has seen flashes of potential, such as her standout performance against the Air Force Academy, Shelomi spent the majority of her time on the sidelines since the team’s lineup was already selected by the time she joined Colorado. A new era begins with her transfer to the Bulldogs, and both fans and analysts are eager to see her contributions on and off the court—everyone, except for maybe Prime Time. 

Deion Sanders and Pilar Sanders diverge over Shelomi’s choice

Amidst the controversy surrounding Shelomi Sanders’ decision to enter the transfer portal, her father, Deion Sanders, had initially publicly criticized her choice, labeling it an unwise choice and emphasizing the importance of securing a team before making such a move. However, this critique sparked backlash, especially from Shelomi’s mother, Pilar Sanders, who voiced her disapproval of Deion’s remarks.

Pilar expressed her unwavering support for Shelomi and shed light on the challenges her daughter faced in the recruitment process, “Shelomi was never given a fair chance to get recruited.” The Sanders family’s journey from Jackson State to Colorado and now to Shelomi’s transfer to another college underscored the complexities of collegiate recruitment. The disparity between Shelomi’s performance at Jackson State and her underutilization at CU raised questions about the recruitment process and the dynamics within the Sanders family. As Shelomi embarks on the next chapter of her collegiate career, her mother’s advocacy highlights the importance of ensuring fairness and opportunities for student-athletes in their pursuit of excellence.