“I…happen to have a couple of sons on the team,” Deion Sanders had once said when talking about how he manages his coaching and dad duties. While that’s as endearing as it gets, the problem is sometimes things can get a bit dicey, making way for a classic case of conflict of interest. The victim this time? Shedeur Sanders, as he was hilariously set aside in favor of another son Coach Prime has on the team!

Interestingly, the Buffs coach has been singing praises for his former WR Jimmy Horn Jr—who is basically a part of the Sanders clan now. Notably, Jimmy’s biological father, Jimmy Horn Sr, remains incarcerated since November 2021 for multiple dr-g related charges. And in his absence, Prime and his family have made sure to shower all their support on the young player.

And just to give you an idea about how much importance Jimmy holds in Deion’s life: The coach even accompanied the youngster during a prison visitation last year. During Senior Day, when you need a parent to walk you to the field, the veteran stepped up as a father figure, ready to take it all on his shoulders. In fact, it’s not rare for Horn Jr’s football dad and real dad to talk over the phone, and share their joy about their son’s performance. It’s almost like Sr has entrusted Coach Prime with his son’s protection. And, boy, is the Hall of Famer stepping up…

This was also apparent during the NFL Combine, where the WR was set to grab attention from the big league. And while he (kind of) did that, despite failing to achieve his goals—beating Xavier Worthy’s 40-yard dash record of 4.21 seconds—with a 4.46 timing, the Buffs’ coach was prompt in his response at the behest of his own son…

As per a video on X that surfaced on March 1, the 22-year-old—who garnered 37 touchdowns last year—was getting ready for the big day ahead, as his QB stood in the distance. In a moment that can be described as the ultimate comic punchline, the coach Sanders chose that very moment to send a text to Rich Eisen, prompting the broadcasters to burst out laughing. “The current list of Deion’s favorite children… and Shedeur said that everybody is his child on the program,” Eisen began, setting the stage. And then came the bombshell…

“Well, Deion texted me. Jimmy #1. I mean, literally my phone buzzed as soon as they got off the air. Jimmy number one, it’s official.” The entire set erupted into laughter, but no one’s reaction was more telling than Shedeur’s, which made it even more funny. He shook his head, grinned through the pain, and tried to play it cool.

“It’s all right,” he said, exhaling as if to steady himself. “Yeah, that’s what happens when you’re in Prime’s world, man,” Rich, clearly relishing the moment, doubled down. Ironically, Horn Jr. was standing right next to Shedeur Sanders, appearing “delighted” in the video. But, don’t worry, there’s never any love lost between the QB and his receiver. Barely a week ago, Horn Jr had noted, “Shedeur is a great teammate in the huddle. If you don’t know something, he will help you out. If you need help with something off the field, he will help you out. He will break film down with you and everything.” And Prime Time?

Well, “Coach Prime is like a father and son relationship. I met Coach Prime in high school. That was my big decision to go to Colorado. He was recruiting me in high school. Coach Prime has been a man of his word and I love the man to death,” Horn noted.

In fact, just hours after his #1 proclamation, Deion Sanders Jr also took to X to make an ambitious announcement, after the WR couldn’t break the record set. “Jimmy still one of the fastest people there, he just doesn’t have the best technique or start,” he wrote. However, when a fan sarcastically responded, “You are right 4.46 is fast,” Coach Prime repeated his stance.

“Naw but he faster than that… & I’m not just saying this bceause I know him personally. I’ve seen a lot of football and bro has insane speed.”

But, no matter how much the praise, Horn Jr himself wasn’t exactly thrilled with his Combine performance, particularly his 40-yard dash time of 4.46 seconds, as Deion Sanders Jr. noted via Well Off Media, while also hinting that the WR would “turn up” at Colorado’s Pro Day. If Shedeur was looking for a moment to regain the upper hand, he wasted no time. He reminded everyone that he wouldn’t be participating in the Combine either, electing to showcase his skills at Pro Day instead.

That decision, combined with his projected draft position, made it clear that Shedeur isn’t fazed by public perception. “You think I’m worried about what critics say? You know who my dad is? They hated on him too,” he fired back at the media. “Without people hating, it’s not normal for us.” While Deion had momentarily knocked his son down a peg, there was no mistaking where his real support lay.

Shedeur needed a reminder that nothing comes easy. Even when your father is one of the greatest football minds of all time, he got it in real-time.

Joke’s over, as Deion Sanders got sings Shedeur Sanders’ praises after his presser

This time there was no kidding from the “transformative” Buffs HC. As the junior, Sanders sent a defiant message to teams mulling over whether to draft him, in which he boldly stated he was the kind of player who would “change a franchise and culture.”

That level of confidence isn’t just talk. Shedeur has receipts. At Jackson State, from 6 losing seasons to going 23-3 as QB1 in just 2 seasons. Then in Boulder from 1-11 in 2022, to 9-4 in 2024 (besides being a Heisman contender), the young QB thrives under pressure and welcomes the challenge. “We went from Jackson State to Colorado and changed two programs back to back,” Sanders said. “So you don’t think I could come to an NFL franchise and change the program again? It’s history. We’ve done it before, and it’s always going to repeat itself.”

He played a major role in reviving struggling programs, turning them into competitive teams alongside his father.

“We like adversity. We like everything that comes with the name,” he said. And if there was any doubt about how Deion Sanders felt about his son’s statement? He wasted no time backing him up. The Hall of Famer took to Instagram Stories and dropped a simple yet powerful message: “He Said What He Said.” NFL teams have been put on notice—Shedeur isn’t just showing up to play. He’s coming to lead, to win, and to transform.