Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders has been subpoenaed to testify in the bankruptcy trial of his son, Shilo Sanders. The trial is scheduled to begin Aug. 31 in Denver and is expected to run through Sept. 4.
Dad Being Called
The problem? Colorado is scheduled to open its season against Georgia Tech on Sept. 3, meaning Deion could potentially be called to court during the same week his team begins its season.
The scheduling conflict caught the attention of U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Michael E. Romero during an Aug. 14 pretrial conference, according to USA Today.
“I noticed Deion was subpoenaed,” Romero said.
The judge acknowledged that the trial could create a problem because of Colorado’s season opener.
“I’m also concerned there’s a game: CU’s first game is that same week,” Romero said. “So I can see that coming.”
However, there is currently no official record on the court docket confirming that Deion has been served with the subpoena, according to USA Today. It also remains unclear whether he will attempt to fight the subpoena or how the scheduling conflict will ultimately be handled.
Shilo, 26, filed for bankruptcy in 2023 after a long-running legal battle with former school security guard John Darjean.
Darjean sued Shilo over a 2015 altercation, alleging that the former football player caused him severe and permanent injuries after attempting to take his cellphone. Darjean claimed he was trying to retrieve the phone at the direction of Deion Sanders.
Darjean won an $11.89 million default judgment, which accounts for most of Shilo’s reported bankruptcy debt.
The upcoming bankruptcy trial will focus in part on whether that debt can be discharged.
Deion did not personally witness the altercation, but the judge indicated that a conversation Deion allegedly had with Darjean shortly before the incident could be relevant.
“That conversation may be relevant,” Romero said.
Newly unsealed court records reveal Shilo’ defense strategy, USA Today reported. His attorney plans to argue that Sanders, then 15, feared losing contact with his mother after his father ordered a school security guard to take his phone. The defense says Shilo acted out of fear and in self-defense.
