Shilo and Shedeur Sanders Are Still Making Everyone Laugh

Former Colorado Buffaloes safety Shilo Sanders made his way to San Francisco this week to support his brother and legendary Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who capped off an electric rookie season with a Pro Bowl selection.
Feb 1, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during AFC practice at the Flag Fieldhouse Moscone Center South Building. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Feb 1, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during AFC practice at the Flag Fieldhouse Moscone Center South Building. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Former Colorado Buffaloes safety Shilo Sanders made his way to San Francisco this week to support his brother and legendary Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who capped off an electric rookie season with a Pro Bowl selection.

The reunion, captured in a viral clip from a live stream, put the Sanders brothers’ bond on full display as Shedeur Sanders represented the Cleveland Browns and the AFC during the 2026 Pro Bowl. The moment blended family, football, and legacy in a way that has become synonymous with the Sanders name.

Feb 2, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during AFC practice at the NFL Flag Fi
Feb 2, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during AFC practice at the NFL Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South Building. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The selection marked a major milestone for the former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback, who earned Pro Bowl honors after just one NFL season, offering another clear example of the Prime Effect carrying over to the professional level.

A Shaky Start and the Mirror of a Rookie Campaign

Feb 2, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shadeur Sanders (12) during AFC practice at the NFL Flag Fi
Feb 2, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during AFC practice at the NFL Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South Building. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Shedeur’s Pro Bowl debut started out rocky, echoing some of the frustrations that surfaced during his rookie season in Cleveland. On the opening drive, a pass deflected off his receiver’s hands and into the arms of veteran safety Kevin Byard. It was yet another unlucky bounce that was painfully reminiscent of several interceptions Sanders threw during the season.

Shilo approached his brother during halftime of the Pro Bowl's flag football game, trying to lighten the mood from the sideline. "Shedeur, I'm your biggest fan!" Shilo shouted to grab his brother's attention.

Shedeur, however, was locked in on the performance. “First drive, first pick,” he said, voicing his frustration.

Shilo, never missing a chance to defend his brother, fired back, “It’s because I wasn’t here. I’ve never seen you throw a pick in real life,” Shilo joked.

The exchange captured the brotherly dynamic that Colorado fans fell in love with. Humorous, competitive, but still deeply supportive and rooted in shared experience.

"Bro, what I’m saying is. Somebody put something on me, cause that ain't me!" Shedeur responded, clearly frustrated by a turnover that felt out of his control.

Shilo’s advice was simple. "You just have to get it out of the way, and then you go crazy."

Despite two interceptions, the second, a sailed pass on third-and-goal late in the third quarter, Shedeur settled in and showed the arm talent that defined his time in Boulder, connecting on several sharp throws, finishing with two touchdown passes and a two-point conversion. The performance mirrored his rookie season as a whole, flashes of high-level play mixed with growing pains and unfavorable breaks.

The Colorado Connection

Nov 29, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) and safety Shilo Sanders (21) pose f
Nov 29, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) and safety Shilo Sanders (21) pose for a photo before the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

The relationship between Shilo and Shedeur continues to serve as a bridge back to their time at Colorado. Even on the NFL's biggest stage, their banter and shared history on the field remain central to their relationship and to how fans view them.

Shilo’s insistence on showing up for his brother also highlights the family-first culture Deion Sanders built within his home and inside the CU locker room. The two aren't just brothers, they're products of a program designed to create players capable of handling the bright lights and national scrutiny.

Shedeur’s concern with his performance, even in a Pro Bowl flag football game, is a direct tieback to the high-stakes environment of Colorado football.

In Boulder, every snap, every pass, and every mistake was analyzed under a microscope, and Shedeur developed a habit of taking every criticism personally. That internal drive helped him to throw for more than 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns in just eight appearances for the Browns in his rookie season.

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Offseason Preparation and a Potential Boulder Return

Nov 1, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; NFL Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders during the game between the Arizona Wil
Nov 1, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; NFL Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders during the game between the Arizona Wildcats against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Now, attention turns to an offseason that will be pivotal for Shedeur’s development in Cleveland. Under a new coaching staff led by Todd Monken, the focus will shift toward refinement, sharpening footwork, timing, and consistency as he prepares for his second NFL season.

A visit to Boulder wouldn't come as a surprise either. The facilities remain familiar, and recent sightings of former Buffs like Camron Silmon-Craig getting work in Boulder suggest the door is always open. Seeing Shedeur back around the program could also provide a meaningful boost to a Colorado team navigating spring workouts under Brennan Marion’s new offensive system.

Whether in Cleveland or Boulder, Shedeur remains closely tied to the people and place that helped launch his career. For Colorado players and recruits alike, that connection is more than symbolic. It stands as proof that the path from CU to the NFL is active, visible, and very real.


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Ben Armendariz
BEN ARMENDARIZ

Ben Armendariz is a reporter for Colorado Buffaloes on SI, part of the Sports Illustrated Network. While earning his bachelor’s degree in Journalism with a minor in Sports Media from the University of Colorado, he contributed to Buffs coverage through CUBuffs.com and Sko Buff Sports. He’s also covered professional combat sports as a contributor for FloCombat. A lifelong sports fan, Ben is now pursuing a master’s degree in Sports Management at Texas A&M University, with plans to build a long-term career in sports media. His passion for storytelling, in-depth analysis, and unique perspectives on sports marketing and sponsorships set his work apart. Outside of reporting and school, he enjoys attending Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets games and running his online vintage retail business.