I'm 'honest' about ranking my kids

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It seems like a constant competition in Deion Sanders’ household.

The Colorado Buffaloes head coach, who has been open about how he ranks his five children based on performance, doubled down on his ever-changing list following Saturday’s 43-35 double overtime win over the Colorado State Rams.

In his post-game press conference, Sanders explained that his son Shilo Sanders — a safety for the Buffaloes, who had a huge interception against their in-state rivals — has moved up in the family power rankings, and called out reporters for not ranking their own children.

“He is moving up,” Sanders said of Shilo. “He’s moving on up like the Jeffersons.”

Sanders spoke about the order when a reporter asked about Shilo’s two forced turnovers that helped the Buffaloes secure the win at Folsom Field for a 3-0 record.  

The Hall-of-Fame defensive back shares his son, Deion Jr. (Bucky) and daughter, Deiondra with his first wife, Carolyn Chambers.

Sanders and ex-wife Pilar Sanders, share Shilo, daughter Shelomi and son Shedeur, who is Colorado’s star quarterback.

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders said his son Shilo was his favorite child following their 43-35 double overtime win against the Colorado State Rams on September 16, 2023. X/Fox College Football

Coach Prime went on to praise the rest of his children, including Shedeur, who finished 38-of-47 for 348 yards and four touchdowns.

“And Shedeur is straight up balling too, and Bossy (Shelomi) came in and gave me the biggest hug and kiss and appreciation for daddy that she could ever give me at the end of the game, so that was great,” Sanders said.

“And Jr.’s been balling, what he does on social media is fascinating. So it’s tough, my kids’ rankings are tough. It’s a serious run right now, it really is, it’s a serious run right now.”

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders hugged his son, Buffaloes safety Shilo Sanders after forcing two turnovers in Colorado’s win over Colorado State on September 16, 2023. Denver Post via Getty Images

Sanders laughed when he called out those who “act” like they don’t rank their own children.

“I’m the only one that’s honest about ranking my kids,” he said. “You guys act like you all love them the same and you don’t. I don’t know why y’all act like that.”

Shilo — who tallied four tackles, one interception (which he returned for an 80-yard touchdown) and a forced fumble — was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week after his performance against Colorado State.

He shared the news on his Instagram Story and wrote: “Ranked #1 son of the week also @deionsanders” with a few crying-laughing emojis.

Shilo Sanders was named PAC 23 Defensive Player of the Week after a standout performance in the Colorado Buffaloes’ win over Colorado State on September 16, 2023. Instagram/Shilo Sanders

Sanders preached the same sermon about his kids during an appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show” on Saturday, when he said his current favorite kid was Deion Jr. 

“You know damn well which kid is going to roll you right to the nursing home at the end of the day,” Sanders said. “… I don’t know why don’t  Everybody’s got a kid that they’d give the credit card to and the kid that they won’t.

“… Bucky has had a great month. He’s balling out of control. He’s number one right now… He’s settled into knowing who he is. He has taken the whole program to another level.”

Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes celebrates with quarterback Shedeur Sanders #2 after a fourth quarter touchdown against the Colorado State Rams at Folsom Field on September 16, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado. Getty Images

Sanders Jr. handles social media for the Buffaloes, as well as shooting and editing behind-the-scenes videos and other content for the team.

In June, Sanders ranked his children on Father’s Day, and shared the results in a video on Instagram, which showed the family on a FaceTime call.

At the time Shelomi earned the top spot, followed by Deiondra, Shedeur, Shilo and Deion.

“[Shilo] got mad and hung up knowing he dead Wrong!!!” Sanders wrote, adding that “a few ain’t happy with the results but it is what it is.”

Sanders has been ranking his five children since last December, when he declared Deion Jr. his favorite son in a post on Instagram for his birthday.

“Happy Birthday to My Favorite Son @deionsandersjr !” Sanders wrote at the time, listing his other children in order: Shelomi, Shedeur, Deiondra and Shilo.

“I’m so proud of u. Although you’re in my pockets from Time to Time your productivity is well above reproach. You have blown up my social, JSU’s social , your siblings social and u you’re excellent at what u do. Keep on striving for your dreams and to understand your purpose in life.

“You’re the #1 son and #1 on the kids rankings currently.”

Sanders and his kids starred in a commercial for KFC in August.

The patriarch is currently engaged to Tracey Edmonds, a Hollywood producer, who is the CEO of her production company, Edmonds Entertainment Group.

The Buffaloes visit Oregon on Sept. 23.

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