Deion Sanders has never flinched from scrutiny, but he also understands that his sons now carry the same spotlight, plus the added pressure of the social media age. That became clear last year, when Colorado’s roster overhaul drew criticism from former players who felt the staff had been cold or dismissive, and the debate quickly spilled beyond football into a public argument about how Deion was building the program and how his sons were being judged because of it.

That family instinct still shows up in how he talks about today’s criticism, too. Deion said last month, “They receive a lot more ignorance than I did. You know, I received some, but we didn’t have the social media channels and all the things that’s privy today. Not at all.” And he still carries that today as he continues to speak up for them when Shilo came under fire for making misogynistic remarks aimed at Cleveland Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot.

During a chat with Garrett Bush on May 14, Sanders stood by his son, suggesting the comments came from a place of defending his brother, Shedeur Sanders.

“We don’t talk about anybody,” Deion Sanders said on The Barbershop podcast.”We don’t do anything to anybody. I know Shilo had a little altercation, and he spoke up for his brother. You’ve got to understand, man, that’s his brother. And God bless Mary Kay’s soul; that’s his brother. I mean, she said something, and he said something, like media are different today. I know a lot of people don’t respect the old school. I do, because I grew up in that era where we didn’t have a say so … But Shilo spoke up for his brother, and he was ridiculed for that.”

The brothers have shared a unique football path, from starring at Trinity Christian High School to reuniting at Jackson State and Colorado. Shilo first began at the University of South Carolina before transferring to join his family, and both brothers have carried the same intense spotlight and pressure throughout their careers. Shedeur became one of college football’s most productive quarterbacks with 14,353 passing yards and 134 touchdowns, while Shilo earned a reputation as a hard-hitting defensive back who stayed around the play and played with edge. That history made it natural for Shilo to step in when Shedeur came under fire.

It all began after Mary Kay Cabot reported that Deshaun Watson was likely to remain the Browns’ starting quarterback. Shortly after, Shilo Sanders reacted on social media by telling Cabot to “make him a sandwich,” and that quickly drew backlash online for being disrespectful and inappropriate.

Even though Deion Sanders has defended Shilo by saying his comments were meant to stand up for his brother, the tone and language he used still drew criticism. Many felt the way he expressed himself crossed a line, regardless of intent.

Mike Florio calls out Deion Sanders for defending Shilo’s sexist comments

One can understand the place Deion Sanders is coming from, as his son, Shedeur Sanders, faced a lot of unprompted scrutiny and ridicule during his rookie season. Him defending Shilo for standing up for his brother can make sense. But ignoring the misogynistic tone used by his elder son is something that warrants criticism.

While reporting about Deion Sanders’ reaction to Shilo’s comments, veteran NFL reporter Mike Florio issued startling criticism for the Hall of Famer.

“So, yes, Shilo has every right to defend Shedeur. But if Shilo does it in a way that merits scrutiny, he’s going to experience it,” Florio wrote. “Deion, in turn, has every right to defend Shilo. And, yes, it’s hard for any father to be objective about his children. That doesn’t mean Deion shouldn’t try to understand why Shilo, to use his term, ‘was ridiculed.’ Shilo said something for which he deserved to be fairly criticized.”

Deion Sanders’ defense of Shilo is understandable, but it does not excuse the misogynistic comments directed at Mary Kay Cabot. Shilo had every right to stand up for his brother, but the manner in which he did so crossed a clear line as per Florio.