Alvin Kamara Sends Shilo Sanders a Heartfelt 4-Word Message After the Buccaneers General Manager Admits He Doesn’t Want Coach Prime’s Son

Before diving into the full story, here’s a concise overview: as undrafted free agent Shilo Sanders prepared to embark on his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, veteran running back Alvin Kamara—who had trained alongside Sanders at Colorado—greeted him with four simple, powerful words: “Welcome to the league.” This gesture came in the wake of Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht’s admission that he initially “didn’t want Coach Prime’s son” on the roster, underscoring both the uphill battle Sanders faced and the camaraderie within the NFL fraternity. Sanders’s journey—from multiple college stops and pro day inconsistencies to finally earning a shot in Tampa Bay—sets the stage for a remarkable underdog narrative, one buoyed by Kamara’s public endorsement and a family legacy of resilience under the spotlight.

A Rocky Road to the NFL

Early Promise and Unfulfilled Expectations

Shilo Sanders first drew national attention as a freshman at South Carolina in 2019, then followed his father, Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, to Jackson State before transferring to Colorado, where his athletic pedigree promised stardom . Despite flashes of playmaking—229 career tackles, six interceptions, 13 pass breakups, and seven forced fumbles over six seasons—Sanders’s college trajectory was marred by injuries and inconsistent evaluations . He tore his ACL early in his career and suffered a forearm injury in 2024, missing three games, yet still managed 67 tackles in his final season .

Pro Day and Draft Snub

At Colorado’s Pro Day, Sanders posted a reported 40‑yard dash time ranging from 4.47 to 4.59 seconds, fueling debate rather than confidence among scouts . He was snubbed by the NFL Combine entirely, forcing him to organize his own workout—an effort that only amplified doubts about his draft viability . When the 2025 NFL Draft concluded without Sanders’s name being called, it cemented his status as an underdog, overlooked by every one of the 32 franchises despite a resume that included high‑level performance at Jackson State and Colorado .

“I Didn’t Want Coach Prime’s Son”

Licht’s Admission and Its Implications

In candid remarks following draft weekend, Buccaneers GM Jason Licht admitted that he “didn’t want Coach Prime’s son” on Tampa Bay’s roster, reflecting concerns about the extra media scrutiny and perceived nepotism surrounding Deion Sanders’s progeny . Such frankness is rare in an era of carefully crafted PR, underlining the genuine reservations NFL executives held about signing a high‑profile coach’s son with a mixed college résumé. Still, Sanders found an advocate in agent Drew Rosenhaus, whose late‑night calls convinced Licht and head coach Todd Bowles to give him a chance—a decision both credited to Sanders’s tape and Rosenhaus’s persuasion .

Alvin Kamara’s Four‑Word Welcome

The Video That Lit Up the Internet

On May 1, 2025, the NFL’s official Instagram account posted a brief, heartwarming clip: Sanders embraced Kamara during a Buccaneers facility visit, only to be greeted with a playful warning—“You ain’t on my team; you got to play against me”—followed by Kamara’s sincere four words, “Welcome to the league.” Kamara then congratulated Sanders on making it to the NFL before heading off to his own training session, encapsulating both the competitive nature and brotherhood within professional football .

A Connection Forged in Boulder

The appearance wasn’t happenstance. Kamara had traveled to Boulder ahead of the draft to train alongside Colorado’s new strength and conditioning coach, Andreu Swasey—Kamara’s trusted trainer since his 2015 rookie season with the New Orleans Saints . It was there that Kamara first met Shilo in a less‑publicized setting, laying the foundation for the support Sanders would later receive upon signing with Tampa Bay. Their shared respect for Swasey and mutual understanding of the grind bridged the gap between a star running back and an undrafted rookie.

The Underdog Narrative and Family Legacy

Living in Deion’s Shadow

Signing Shilo Sanders inherently means signing up for Deion Sanders’s presence and protective instincts. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio warned any team giving Shilo a shot must be ready for Coach Prime’s public scrutiny if his son doesn’t receive a “fair shot” . Indeed, every step of Shilo’s journey—from the Combine snub to draft night—has unfolded under his father’s spotlight, magnifying both accomplishments and missteps.

Statistical Foundation for an Upside

Despite the scrutiny, Shilo boasts concrete credentials: over 170 tackles, four tackles for loss, a sack, an interception, five forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries across 34 collegiate games . His final Pro Day dash of 4.52 seconds showcased NFL‑caliber speed, and his special‑teams potential adds roster value beyond pure defensive snaps . These metrics suggest that, once the baggage is stripped away, Sanders has the tools to carve out a role in Tampa Bay’s secondary and on special teams.

What Lies Ahead?

Earning Defensive Reps

Coach Todd Bowles has been clear that Sanders will start as a special‑teams contributor with the chance to earn defensive playing time based on performance . The Bucs believe his instincts, size (6’0″, 195 lbs), and work ethic warrant more than a camp roster spot, and they plan to evaluate his tackling and coverage skills closely during training camp and preseason matchups .

Measuring Success Beyond the Field

Sanders’s journey transcends on‑field statistics. His ability to withstand criticism, familial pressure, and the inherent skepticism of NFL evaluators paints a portrait of resilience. A supportive nod from a peer like Alvin Kamara injects confidence that can be as crucial as any technical coaching drill . Should Sanders secure a roster spot, it will not only validate his personal perseverance but also exemplify the league’s capacity to reward determination over pedigree.

Conclusion

Alvin Kamara’s four‑word message—“Welcome to the league”—resonates far beyond a simple greeting. It symbolizes acceptance, validation, and a passing of the torch from one NFL veteran to a newcomer bearing a storied name but forging his own path. In the face of GM Jason Licht’s candid admission and the weight of Deion Sanders’s legacy, Shilo has earned an opportunity to redefine expectations. As training camp approaches, all eyes will be on Sanders to see if the underdog narrative he’s lived becomes the success story he—and the football world—hopes it will be.