‘Last name can be a curse’ – Shannon Sharpe responds as Shilo Sanders cut with stunning career away from NFL on offer

Shilo Sanders has been waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The standout Colorado Buffaloes safety, who arrived in Florida as an undrafted free agent, perhaps sealed his own fate when he was ejected from a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills.

Sanders punched Buffalo tight end Zach Davidson, who was blocking him, after a shoving match between the pair.

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles watched the rookie as he walked back to the sideline after the incident, which came late in the second quarter.

He then described Sanders’ actions as ‘inexcusable’ in the NFL.

“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, who earlier this month surprised his mom with a unique NFL gift after his preseason debut, might not get that opportunity to grow in Tampa.

He was competing with Kaevon Merriweather and Rashad Wisdom for the final safety spot behind Antoine Winfield Jr, Tykee Smith and Christian Izien, but has been waived as the team made cuts to their roster ahead of Tuesday’s 53-man deadline.

While the decision came just a day after Sanders’ ejection, reports suggest the Bucs are still open to ‘doing business’ with the rookie, and could offer him a way back onto the team.

Door not closed on Shilo’s Tampa Bay career

“We’re told that the Buccaneers enjoyed having Shilo in the building, viewing the son of Deion Sanders as a good kid, who was at all times respectful to everyone,” Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk wrote on Sunday.

“Shilo was also immediately remorseful following the incident that disqualified him from the second quarter of the game against the Bills.

Getty

Getty

“Sanders could, in theory, sign with the Bucs’ practice squad, after clearing waivers.

“The bigger question is whether he’s good enough to compete and to play at the NFL level.”

Sharpe and Johnson confident of Shilo’s NFL future

Only time will tell if Tampa Bay want to sign Sanders to their practice squad, or if he will be claimed by another team on waivers, but Shannon Sharpe and Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson believe there are a number of potential landing spots for the safety.

“You know what, I’m not sure where he will land. There’s some teams out there that could use some depth, especially at the safety position,” Ocho said.

“I’m not sure what the Bengals look like in the secondary. I think the Steelers can add, the Saints can add to their secondary as well.

“He’s going to get claimed… Where he gets picked up, I’m not sure.

Getty

YouTube: Nightcap

“But he has the right person in his corner to make sure he gets another opportunity to play the game that he loves.”

Sharpe, meanwhile, suggested the weight of Sanders’ name has been a major factor in his release being newsworthy.

“Sometimes your last name can be a blessing and a curse. It’s not normal that (undrafted) free agents have breaking news that they’re being released,” the Hall of Famer said.

“Because his name is Sanders, the blessing and the curse, people say, ‘He only got an opportunity because his last name is Sanders.’

“This is the first time that Shilo has been told he’s not good enough. I mean, he’s been a phenomenal player (in college).

“I think he’s 25 (years old). And for the first time in your life — he’s in his mid-20s — this is the first time somebody ever tells you that you’re not good enough.”

Both Sharpe and Johnson are confident that the ‘phenomenal’ Sanders will continue his career in the NFL, but if that isn’t the case, he could be offered a lifeline by the CFL instead.

CFL team has dreams of reuniting Sanders brothers

The Toronto Argonauts have added Shilo to their negotiation list, and might well be dreaming of a Sanders family reunion north of the border.

Getty

Back in April, the team also acquired negotiating rights to Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur.

Each team in the CFL can have up to 45 players on their negotiating lists, but the idea of seeing both Sanders brothers playing for the Argonauts remains a little far-fetched at this moment.

Indeed, if Shilo isn’t offered a way back onto an NFL roster, he could choose to continue his football career in Canada.

Shedeur, though, is unlikely to be cut from Cleveland’s 53-man roster, and has already survived the first wave.

NFL's Greatest......

Ranking the top 10......

Quarterbacks of all-time – Can anyone better Tom Brady?

Wide receivers of all-time – Does Randy Moss or Jerry Rice come out on top?

Running backs of all-time – Stacking Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith and more

Tight ends of all-time – How does Travis Kelce compare?

The Browns are expected to carry him, and three other signal callers, into the new season.

While Shedeur will be confident of his roster spot, Shilo has a tough route back onto a team, but will be hoping his NFL dream is far from over.

Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the offseason news, interviews and more.