Deion Sanders makes false claim about the Shilo case that led to his bankruptcy: “He's already won”

With Colorado days away from opening its season, Deion Sanders is trying to wave away the legal drama surrounding son Shilo Sanders . His description of the case, however, doesn't line up neatly with what the court record shows.

Asked Monday about a subpoena requiring him to testify in Shilo ’s upcoming bankruptcy trial, Sanders insisted his son had already prevailed once before.

“You know Shilo won this case previously, right?” Sanders said. “Anybody know that? Raise your hand if you know that, if you knew that, that Shilo got awarded money for this.”

He added: “I can’t wait till it’s over and he gets to tell his story. He already won this case, you know?”

The problem is that the central dispute now before the bankruptcy court stems from an $11.89 million judgment entered against Shilo Sanders , not a case he previously won.

What Shilo actually faces in bankruptcy court

The underlying lawsuit was filed by former school security guard John Darjean , who accused Shilo of assaulting him in 2015 while trying to confiscate his phone.

That case eventually produced an $11.89 million default judgment in 2022 after Shilo failed to appear for trial. He later filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2023 after Darjean sought to collect on the judgment.

The upcoming trial isn't about whether that judgment exists. The question is whether Shilo can discharge the debt through bankruptcy.

Darjean argues that the debt should survive because it allegedly arose from a “willful and malicious injury,” an exception under bankruptcy law. Shilo ’s attorneys maintain that he acted in self-defense and should be allowed to discharge the obligation.

The earlier “win” referenced by Deion Sanders appears to involve separate claims Shilo brought against Focus Learning Academy and founder Leroy McClure , which were resolved through a confidential settlement in 2019.

The judge in that matter made clear the settlement did “not affect any other pending claims, including but not limited to those claims by Plaintiff John Darjean.”

Deion says subpoena is no distraction

The legal timing is awkward for Colorado. The bankruptcy trial is scheduled to begin August 31 and could run through September 4. The Buffaloes are due to travel September 1 ahead of their opener at Georgia Tech on September 3.

Darjean ’s attorney subpoenaed Deion Sanders to testify, while Sanders ’ attorney, Harvey Steinberg , has asked Judge Michael Romero to quash it.

Asked whether that represented a distraction, Sanders dismissed the idea. “Dude, you think that's my first subpoena?” he said. “When you have it, when you him, when you that, you get sued.”

He added: “I don't know anyone that's a game changer, a way maker, that is not dealing with some type of lawsuit.”

What happens next will determine whether Shilo Sanders can escape the eight-figure judgment through bankruptcy. Until then, Deion Sanders ’ assertion that his son already “won” oversimplifies a legal fight that remains unresolved.