NFL Legend’s Son Waived After Being Ejected From Game For Throwing A Punch

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers waived rookie safety Shilo Sanders, the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, after he was ejected from a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills for throwing a punch.

Sanders punched tight end Zach Davidson after some heavy pushing and shoving on a play.

“In less than 24 hours, rookie safety Shilo Sanders got ejected from a game and then waived from the Buccaneers,” ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter wrote.

Watch the play:

In less than 24 hours, rookie safety Shilo Sanders got ejected from a game and then waived from the Buccaneers. pic.twitter.com/HcyUk5uv9e

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 24, 2025

ESPN has more:

Bucs linebacker John Bullock tried to calm Sanders afterward, and Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles looked at Sanders as he walked back to the sideline.

Bowles addressed the incident after Tampa Bay’s 23-19 loss.

“You can’t throw punches in this league — that’s inexcusable,” Bowles said. “They’re going to get you every time. You’ve got to grow from that.”

Sanders was also flagged for a pass interference call in the first quarter on the game.

He had been competing for the fourth and final safety spot with Kaevon Merriweather and Rashad Wisdom to back up Antoine Winfield Jr., Tykee Smith and Christian Izien.

Sanders had signed with the Buccaneers after going undrafted.

Buccaneers waive S Shilo Sanders. (via @tompelissero) pic.twitter.com/kIzcUTWMde

— NFL (@NFL) August 24, 2025

Here’s another angle of the play:

WHY IS NO 1 SHOWING THIS ANGLE OF SHILO SANDERS ?

– Play was already whistled done
– Players stopped
– Bills Zach Davidson grabs Sanders face mask (After whistle) easily could be penalty, or the ref stepping in
– Shilo can’t throw punch (obviously)
– Stop overreacting ppl pic.twitter.com/G18pPCR4Te

— Gunz (@TheGunzShow) August 24, 2025

His agents, Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey, said they hope Sanders gets claimed on waivers.

Daily Mail noted:

It marks more controversy for the Sanders family, with huge scrutiny on Shilo’s younger brother Shedeur ever since he slid down to the fifth round in the draft earlier this year.

For the most part, the quarterback had made a promising case for himself since joining up with his team at camp in Cleveland. But he too had a difficult appearance in the final round of preseason games this weekend.

After coming on in the second half, he completed just three of his six throws for a total of 14 yards and was sacked a remarkable five times, for a loss of 41 yards.

But Shedeur, speaking before his brother was cut by the Bucs, was confident he wouldn’t lose his place on the team this week.

‘I think, overall as a player, I’ve put in the work,’ Sanders said. ‘I feel like everything I do, I try to do it to my best, and that’s all I can ask for.

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