Shilo Sanders, son of NFL legend Deion Sanders has been tied up in a complicated bankruptcy case since 2023, all stemming from an $11.89 million civil judgment. From a school altercation that happened when he was a teenager to the most recent court filings, here’s how the legal saga involving Shilo Sanders unfolded.
2015: The Incident That Started Everything
In 2015, Shilo Sanders was just 15 years old when an altercation broke out at his Dallas-area school involving security guard John Darjean.
According to Darjean’s later lawsuit, the confrontation turned physical when he attempted to confiscate Shilo’s phone, leaving him with what he described as permanent and severe injuries. Shilo has consistently maintained that he acted in self-defense.
June 2016: The Lawsuit Begins
A year later, Darjean filed a civil lawsuit against Shilo Sanders and his parents, alleging the 2015 incident caused lasting harm. The case moved slowly through the court system and would take several years to reach trial.
2022: The Default Judgment
The case finally went to trial in Dallas civil court. By that point, Shilo’s parents had been dismissed from the lawsuit. Shilo Sanders, however, did not appear for trial. That absence proved costly. The judge entered a default judgment against him for $11.89 million, a staggering amount for a young athlete just starting his adult life.
2023: Darjean Moves to Collect
With the judgment in hand, Darjean began efforts to collect on the debt. The pressure quickly mounted, putting Shilo’s finances under serious strain.
October 2023: Shilo Files for Bankruptcy
Facing the massive judgment, Shilo Sanders filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The filing sought to discharge more than $11 million in unsecured debt. Under Chapter 7, a court-appointed trustee gathers non-exempt assets and distributes them to creditors. David Wadsworth was named trustee in Shilo’s case.
May 2023: Shilo Transfers to Colorado
During the bankruptcy proceedings, Shilo finished his time at Jackson State and transferred to the University of Colorado Boulder to play under his father, Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders. He suited up for the Buffaloes during the 2023 season.
Early 2025: Shilo Sanders Earns Master’s Degree
While navigating the legal process, Shilo also completed a master’s degree in organizational leadership at Colorado, balancing academics alongside football and court filings.
2025: Multiple Legal Fronts Open
As the bankruptcy case moved forward, Shilo Sanders found himself fighting on several legal fronts:
- “Willful and Malicious” Complaint: Darjean filed a complaint arguing the debt should not be discharged because it arose from a willful and malicious injury. Shilo continued to assert self-defense. This matter remains unresolved.
- Asset Concealment Allegations: Darjean also accused Shilo of hiding or failing to disclose assets in his bankruptcy filings. Sanders has denied those claims.
August 2025: Shilo Waived by Buccaneers
Shilo Sanders’ NFL hopes took a hit when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers waived him before the season began. The NFL fined him $4,669 for unnecessary roughness.
At 25, he found himself out of the league and began pivoting toward acting and rap music. He later announced plans to move to Miami.
October 2025: Trustee Sues Shilo
Trustee David Wadsworth escalated matters by filing a lawsuit against Sanders and two of his business entities, Big 21 and Headache Gang. The trustee sought to recover roughly $250,000, alleging Sanders made unauthorized transfers to himself. According to the complaint, the funds should belong to the bankruptcy estate, not Shilo personally. Wadsworth also demanded a full accounting of Shilo’s finances.
At the center of the dispute were name, image, and likeness (NIL) earnings tied to Shilo’s brand. The key question: did the money come from work performed before the bankruptcy filing or after? Pre-petition earnings would go to creditors; post-petition earnings would belong to Shilo.
November 2025: Shilo Files Motion to Dismiss Trustee’s Lawsuit
Shilo’s attorney, Keri Riley, filed a motion asking the court to dismiss the trustee’s lawsuit. The argument was straightforward: the roughly $250,000 in question came from post-bankruptcy work and therefore belonged to Sanders, not the bankruptcy estate.
December 17, 2025: Trustee Files Strong Response
The trustee pushed back hard. In a response filed by attorney Peter Cal, Wadsworth argued that Shilo’s position was flawed both legally and factually. The filing laid out several key points:
- Unresolved Facts: The trustee said Shilo’s claim that all funds were post-petition earnings wasn’t supported by the complaint and couldn’t be decided at this early stage.
- Money Already in the Account: A footnote noted that funds were already sitting in the Big 21 account on the day Shilo filed for bankruptcy, undermining his argument.
- Contract Timing Matters: Even payments received after filing could still count as pre-petition earnings if they came from contracts signed earlier.
- Improper Control: The trustee alleged Shilo exercised improper control over assets that should belong to the estate and demanded an accounting.
The response concluded it was “more than plausible” that at least some of the disputed NIL deposits stemmed from pre-bankruptcy contracts and should be turned over to creditors.
December 18, 2025: Latest Update
The December 17 filing was formally updated on the docket, and the case continues to move through bankruptcy court. A judge will now decide whether Sanders’ motion to dismiss succeeds or whether the trustee’s lawsuit moves forward.
Where Things Stand Now
As of late December 2024, Shilo Sanders remains entangled in multiple unresolved legal battles:
- The trustee’s lawsuit over approximately $250,000 in NIL earnings is still pending.
- Darjean’s attempt to block discharge of the debt remains unresolved.
- Allegations of asset concealment have not been decided.
Shilo has relocated to Miami and is pursuing acting and music after stepping away from football.
The outcome will determine whether he can walk away from the bulk of the $11.89 million judgment or whether creditors, most notably Darjean, will be entitled to repayment.
With his younger brother Shedeur now quarterbacking for the Cleveland Browns, Shilo Sanders is forging a different path, even as the legal fallout from his past continues to follow him.
Also Read: Shilo Sanders Hunts For a New House In Miami, Real Estate Agent Shows Him a 25,000 a Month Condo