Shedeur Sanders always admired Michael Jordan‘s athleticism. He has frequently expressed his respect and appreciation for the 6x NBA champion and MVP, whether he was winning or losing. When he was picked off by haters during his debut season in Colorado, he clung on to MJ for motivation, saying, “You know Michael Jordan had to face some setbacks before winning championships.” Off the field, he participated in Gatorade’s revival of Jordan’s signature ‘Is It in You?’ campaign. But while the love is there, there are some things where the 23-year-old has to draw a line. And that’s choosing between him and Deion Sanders. 

Shedeur Sanders always has a thing for branded sneakers. So when he walked into a room filled with Nike sneakers, he hit a crossroad. Well Off Media captured the whole scene on February 9 from the moment when a sneaker-business producer took the Buffs QB to check out the original Michael Jordan’s sneakers. A cool red and black Jordan 1 Retro High pair. Very rare. “Only two or three stores in the whole world,” they said. “Less than 25K,” they also told Shedeur.

But he already has a commitment that landed him in a dilemma. “I’m at a dilemma here,” he confessed. “I only wear dad’s shoes… So like, it’s cool but I don’t wear nothing else… I don’t wear nobody else’s shoes, I don’t wear Jordans. None of that. My dad’s got his own shoes.”

Deion Sanders isn’t just a Pro Hall of Famer and a revolutionary coach. His partnership with Nike has left a lasting impression in the world of branded sneakers that scream style and versatility. His signature Nike Air Diamond Turf sneakers were first released in 1993, followed by the Air Diamond Turf II and Air DT Max ‘96 in the years that followed. His reunion with Nike in 2023 paved the way for more retro releases in various colorways, including the Colorado Away and Falcons, among others. 

Shedeur Sanders’ participation in his dad’s business was pivotal for its growth. Starting in 2023, he has rocked Deion Sanders’ cleat versions like the Balck and gold Nike Vapor Edge DT ‘96 TD. This season, he also flaunted customized New York Giants-themed DT Max ‘96 cleats, leading to speculation that he could be landing with the Giants in the 2025 NFL draft. And his message is clear — “I gotta wear his cleats up there and represent the family. His cleats were historic and legendary back in the day, and they still are to this day.” And Shedeur isn’t just wearing them; he’s even following in his dad’s footsteps to launch his own line. 

Shedeur Sanders plans to revive Deion Sanders’ Nike legacy

Shedeur Sanders has plans for his own line of sneakers, but he’s never replacing Deion Sanders’ iconic style. His aim is to evolve, not replace his dad’s sneakers legacy. He made this notion clear on his 2Legendary podcast saying, “I want to build on [dad’s legacy]. Have like a different version… it’s about what could be passed down year after year” to keep the legacy alive. 

This aim of evolving Deion Sanders’ sneakers aligns with Nike’s vision to reissue the classic with new colorways. And now that Shedeur is headed to the NFL, he might be able to bridge the gap between retro appeal and modern design. It won’t be surprising to see him launching collaborative versions of the DT or DT Max lines.

Deion Sanders’ Nike sneakers are more than footwear—they talk about resilience, style, and reinvention. And while the interest for the MJ sneakers is there, loyalty comes first. Shedeur Sanders’ dedication to wearing his shoes highlights a commitment to the family legacy.