Dwyane Wade’s story isn’t complete without his dad, right in the frame. From the early days, Wade Sr. was always present, pushing his son to stay disciplined, keep his head down, and trust the grind. “I wanted to be like my father,” said Wade. And now, that same energy—a father standing firm behind his son—is showing up in a big way in the NFL. We’ve got another duo that’s become a headline in its own right, where the dad is not just a supporter but a driving force in his son’s success.

Shedeur Sanders had a standout 2024 season with the Colorado Buffaloes, throwing for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns, with just 10 interceptions. He completed 74% of his passes and posted a QBR of 75.5, ranking him 20th nationally. His performance helped lead Colorado to a 9-4 record, marking a significant improvement for the program. Sanders’ poise under pressure and accuracy have made him a notable prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft, and criticisms. 

Reflecting on the journey and the noise surrounding it, Dorell Wright spoke from the heart—and from experience. As someone who grew up with a strong, steady father figure, Wright knows the power of presence. “He worked with us. He held us accountable. And when we were doing well, he gave us a little pat on the back. But that motivated us to be successful,” he shared. Not everyone gets that kind of support, and Wright knows it. That’s why, when he looks at Deion Sanders showing up for Shedeur—not just as a coach, but as a father—he gets it. “I respect Deion for being a father and being present… that matters,” Wright said.

The conversation then took a deeper turn as Wright offered his perspective on the challenges that often come with being part of a marginalized community. “I think as a Black man, I feel like when we go in certain rooms, people want us to dim our light instead of being us” he said, acknowledging the struggles of fitting into environments where he may feel out of place. In this light, Wright applauds Shedeur for boldly carving out his own identity and brand. “We talking about NIL. How you supposed to make money if you’re not promoting yourself and branding yourself, right?”

After all, when you’re sitting on a reported $6.5 million in NIL valuation, it’s clear that building a bold, authentic brand isn’t just about expression—it’s good business. But he also believes that “a lot of it has to do and I’m just going to call it spade to spade, him being a Black quarterback.”

Wade also chimed in, reflecting on his own experiences, saying, “when we walk in rooms as tall Black men, we try to get smaller. our voice gets lighter. And a lot of it is because I’m bigger than everybody when I walk in…I’m Blacker than everybody. And so you’re trying to do everything to fit in, right?” He commended Deion for being the kind of role model that many Black men rarely see growing up, helping to combat the “identity crisis” often shaped by the images in books and history.

“You got a father that doesn’t look like that-giving you a whole different photo to look at of what confidence look like, what strength look like,” Wade explained. He emphasized the importance of figures like Deion and Shedeur, who represent strength and authenticity for the next generation. Instead of trying to fit in, “Shedeur has stayed Shedeur.”

But what sparked the buzz around this father-son duo that resonated so strongly in the basketball world?

The Sanders name keeps making headlines

Coach Prime sparked debate after announcing jersey retirements for two current Colorado players-Shedeur and Travis Hunter. Some fans loved it, but others, like CU Hall of Famer Chad Brown and former Buff Phillip Lindsay, questioned the timing, arguing legends from the past deserve their due first. The tension? Honoring current players while still respecting those who built the foundation.

Carmelo Anthony had Deion’s back, praising him for turning Colorado football around. “Pops is prime,” Melo said. “He put his son at the helm.” Deion stood firm, saying, “We’re talking about Shedeur… if his last name wasn’t Sanders, we wouldn’t have this discussion.” For him, it’s about the legacy they’re building—not just the name.

Shedeur has become the lightning rod of the 2025 NFL Draft conversation—once a potential No. 1 pick, now facing doubts about whether he’ll even crack the top 10. Some critiques are valid—he took a lot of hits in college and isn’t the most dynamic athlete—but a lot of the noise has crossed into wild exaggeration. Former scouts like Daniel Kelly, who’s made outlandish takes before, have singled him out without any real interaction or proof. Even Deion Sanders had to step in, calling the criticisms “silly” and “venomous.”

What makes it worse? Anonymous quotes and false narratives have tried to paint Shedeur as arrogant, claims that have been denied by coaches who were actually in the room. “That never happened,” one head coach told Deion, refuting a viral claim about a poor interview. Meanwhile, Deion isn’t backing down: “Some of this stuff is so stupid, it don’t make sense.” Thursday night can’t come soon enough—not just to end the rumors, but to finally focus on Shedeur’s football future.

As the draft approaches and the spotlight intensifies, the noise around Shedeur Sanders will only grow louder—but so will the support. Whether it’s the bold legacy moves by Coach Prime or Shedeur’s resilience under fire, this moment is bigger than football, and support from the basketball world only confirms that.