Calls Mount Against Shilo Sanders After Emotional Message to NFL World Post Bucs Rejection

Shilo Sanders got waived by the Bucs more than a week ago, but the noise never slowed down. He posted a rather emotional statement post-Bucs release, and you’d think that would invite thousands of support messages, right? Well, that’s usually how it goes. But not this time around.

It unravelled fast. Not even two days after being tossed from Tampa Bay’s preseason closer, Shilo Sanders was back on camera, recording a teary, uncertain monologue about what’s next. “I’ve been talking to my agent, and we’re weighing in on the next opportunity. If that’s the NFL, cool. But god has blessed me with a lot of other talents. Every athlete comes to a point where you find yourself without football, and you’re thinking ‘What now?’ I’m thinking for my family, my friends. They call it the not-for-long league; even if you make the team, it’s not certain,” he said.

Heartbreaking: Former Bucs standout safety Shilo Sanders says that this could be the end of his football career.

“God has blessed me with a lot of talents.”

Shilo is also involved in music, acting, and modeling.pic.twitter.com/jhzPJH4qj1

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 29, 2025

Shilo simply couldn’t set himself apart in training camp, especially not in preseason. Tampa didn’t wait long to make it official. After the preseason dust-up (a punch that earned Shilo Sanders an ejection for swinging on Bills tight end Zach Davidson), it was probably the breaking point. The preseason stat line (4 solo tackles) didn’t help either.

The fans have been calling him how for his attitude and ego. And to a certain extent, you see where they’re coming from. Whether it was that infamous punch or that sense of entitlement because of the Sanders name, you can say that the man isn’t a stranger to ego. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that his dream probably just ended.

Shilo spent six college seasons bouncing from South Carolina to Jackson State to Colorado, following his father for the final two stops. Along the way, he flashed real playmaking chops (remember that 80-yard pick-six?), and in 21 games at Colorado logged an interception, a sack, five breakups, five forced fumbles, and three recoveries. But the highlight tape was paired with setbacks, including a torn ACL that cost him a chunk of his college career.

No matter what you think of him, this is a man who loves football. Someone who has made football his entire life. And when the only thing you love breaks your heart, being called out for your ego is the last thing you want. And fans clearly aren’t taking it easy on him.

Shilo Sanders lands in hot water

Yeah, you’d expect thousands of positive comments under that emotional statement, but that wasn’t the case. Far from it. “Easy to move on when you’re already rich, just sayin,” one fan wrote. That was one brutal one. Being rich helps, sure, but whether you drown in an ocean or in a little pool, you’re still drowning.

“I mean, he’s set for life either way. Career prospects for him not worth CTE. Football career bag for avg players with no job security year to year ain’t worth it,” one said, looking at the silver lining. While that might technically be true, it probably doesn’t matter to Shilo. He doesn’t dream of job security. He simply loves football. Despite the non-existent job security and concussions, he’d be happy playing the game he loves. That’s all that matters.

May 27, 2025, Tampa, Florida, USA: Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Shilo Sanders 28 warms up during practice at the AdventHealth Training Center in Tampa on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Tampa USA – ZUMAs70_ 0820759656st Copyright: xJeffereexWoox

“I’m sure they can open up a coaching role at Colorado for him if he wants,” one said. Now this is interesting. They probably meant it as a joke, but when you think about it…it makes perfect sense. Coach Prime as the head coach and Shilo as the defensive coordinator? We’ll be watching.

One pointed out the brutal reality of the NFL, “That’s how it goes, only a very small percentage make it to the NFL. He was never a ‘standout’ for the Bucs,” they said. Yeah, that’s how it goes in this league. From high school to college, to the draft, and the NFL. You’re not guaranteed a place even after you make it there. Ask Shilo.

“If he’s already giving up, then it seems like they made the right decision!” Well, it doesn’t seem like he’s giving up. Like he said, he’s in touch with his agent to find a place in the league itself. However, he has to have backups in case it doesn’t work out, and he’s got them. He’s involved in music, acting, and even modelling. But obviously, he’s not giving up just yet.

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