NCAA. Colorado Buffaloes' 2025 season in numbers: Deion Sanders' third year falls short
Deion Sanders has done it again. Every fan of his is well familiarized with the constant changes on his "favorite son" list, where he has not specified a specific criterion. The other day he posted a heartfelt and deeply personal birthday message to his eldest son, Deion Sanders Jr., publicly naming him as the top one on the list and even joking that he also climbed to the No. 1 spot in his will.
The Instagram post, which quickly went viral, was equal parts providing an emotional tribute and a familial ranking. In the post, the father praised his son not for athletic achievements but for his loyalty, specifically standing by him daily during his battle with cancer:
"Happy Birthday to my Favorite son @deionsandersjr your presence and commitment to the family will make certain that we're @welloffforever!. Love you Son and I appreciate u more than u will ever know. You NEVER left me for a day during my battle with CANCER! You were THERE man and I Love u 2 LIFE. You definitely elevated to the #1 spot in my WILL."
The message immediately drew fans' attention because of what it implied for Sanders' other children, also public figures and former holders of the first sport on the list.
Sanders' deeper words reflect how important Deion Jr. has been for him during recent months, showing a level of vulnerability he has increasingly admitted throughout his health struggles. His battle against cancer, which included multiple surgeries and partial amputation of toes, was widely documented and addressed by him personally. The coach has frequently spoken about the emotional toll the illness took on him and those around him.
For Sanders, the declaration seems rooted not in favoritism over accomplishments, but in gratitude for consistency, care, and sacrifice. "You NEVER left me," he emphasized, a statement that resonated strongly with supporters. That is obviously not a hit to the other siblings but an act of recognition toward Jr. Coach Prime has always said how proud, happy and gifted he is for having the family he has.