Emotional Deion Sanders opens up on Shedeur’s college football return after wild Colorado season opener

Days after losing the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback job, Shedeur Sanders returned to college football to support his father in Colorado’s season opener.

The Browns backup made a surprise appearance at Bobby Dodd Stadium to cheer on his former alma mater in a thrilling 2026 season opener, won by Colorado, 14-13.

Getty

The Buffaloes and head coach Deion Sanders were taking on Georgia Tech University and new starting quarterback Alberto Mendoza, brother of No.1 NFL pick Fernando, now with the Las Vegas Raiders.

The younger Sanders was first spotted in the third quarter by CBS Sports’ Romi Bean, and at that point, Colorado was trailing 10-7.

In the fourth quarter, freshman quarterback Julian ‘Juju’ Lewis led a stunning last-minute touchdown drive to give Deion’s men a 14-13 lead with less than a minute to go.

With 30 seconds remaining, Mendoza found wide receiver Dalen Penson for 42-yards to get Georgia in field goal range.

NFL Weekly Newsletter - SIGN UP!

talkSPORT is your home for NFL in the UK as we launch our biggest year of coverage yet!

2026 promises to be an epic year for NFL on talkSPORT – and we want you to join us for the ride.

MORE INFO & SIGN-UP HERE!

This season will be our biggest ever with live commentary of 90+ games, including behind-the-scenes access to international games and all three London fixtures, plus bumper coverage of Super Bowl 61 at SoFi Stadium.

Exclusive interviews, hard-hitting opinion, latest front-office drama and top breaking news – all delivered straight to your inbox each week.

However, Boo Carter emerged as the hero by blocking Aidan Birr’s 45-yard attempt as time expired, sealing the dramatic victory for Deion and Colorado.

Shedeur was on the field celebrating with the players before walking off the field arm in arm with Coach Prime.

“I’m a father,” an emotional Deion said after the game.

“I think ya’ll forget that. Ya’ll say ‘Coach’, ‘Prime’ and you see me as someone who has dabbled with success in certain aspects of life.

“Ya’ll forget that I am a real loving, caring father. That’s my son man, and I feel it.

“For him to get out of practice, and make it to the game… like I love that man… I love fatherhood.”

Getty

Getty

Shedeur enjoyed a standout college career at both Jackson State University and the University of Colorado Boulder.

At both universities, his father served as his head coach.

Sanders finished his collegiate career with 14,347 passing yards, 134 touchdowns, and a 70.1 percent completion rate. His No. 2 jersey was retired at Colorado.

Getty

Getty

If there is anyone who knows Shedeur on the football field it’s Deion, but even a meeting with Brown head coach Todd Monken earlier this offseason couldn’t earn his son the starting job in Cleveland.

Instead, it’s the veteran Deshaun Watson who will start the season as Cleveland’s quarterback.

The 30-year-old missed the entire 2025 season while rehabbing a twice-torn right Achilles tendon, and has not played a regular season game since October 2024.

Sanders’ appearance in Atlanta proved that no matter how intense the NFL is, family and the Colorado football program remain central to his journey.