Deion Sanders Jr. has revealed exactly how far his father, NFL legend Deion Sanders, is willing to go to ensure his kids aren’t spoiled.
“My dad, my dad is a real live man; he’s a legit man,” Deion Jr., 32, said on the Friday, May 22, episode of the “Organikally Speaking Podcast.”
He continued, “So he raises kids to be men, which is actually rare these days. If you don’t have any money? Go. Do something about it. Why are you even telling me? You’re a man.”
According to Deion Jr., his dad means what he says — even when his son’s bank account is nearing the single-digits.
“So it’s not, ‘I can’t pay rent this month,’” he explained. “He’s not the handout guy. It’s worse when everyone thinks you have money because your name is Sanders. I got like $11 in my account, and one of my accounts is in the negative.”
In addition to Deion Jr., Deion Sr. shares daughter Deiondra with ex-wife Carolyn Chambers, to whom he was married from 1989 to 1998. He married Pilar Biggers-Sanders a year later and they share sons Shilo, 26, and Shedeur, 24, as well as daughter Shelomi, 22.
Deion Sr. and Biggers-Sanders finalized their divorce in 2013. He is currently dating actress and model Karrueche Tran.
Deion Sr. has frequently defended his kids in the media and, in an interview with Robert Griffin III in 2024, even referred to Deion Jr. as the MVP of the family.
“Junior is the calm [one]. The older one to look out for the younger brothers,” he said. “The MVP is Junior, because he keeps it together. He keeps them together. He’s always selfless and gives them unconditional love to try to make sure they shine at all times. The unity that they have and seeing that as a father is unbelievable.”
Deion Jr. was also by his dad’s side in April 2025 when he learned of his bladder cancer diagnosis. Deion Sr. thanked him for his support during a press conference that July, two months after undergoing successful bladder surgery.
“Much love to my son Junior, who has not left my side since we found out what was taking place,” he said. “Not one day. He’s been with me here, he’s been with me in Texas, he’s been with me everywhere, everyday.”
Deion Sr. added, “I love you for life, son, and I thank you for everything you bring to the table.”
At the same press conference, Dr. Janet Kukreja, director of urological oncology at the University of Colorado, announced that the coach was “cured.”
