Shilo Sanders, son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, triggered a firestorm of criticism after posting a blatantly sexist comment directed at award-winning NFL reporter Mary Kay Cabot, telling her to “go make a sandwich” when she analyzed his brother’s quarterback competition.
Sanders Brother Attacks Veteran Journalist
The controversy erupted when Cleveland.com’s Instagram shared a video of Cabot discussing the Cleveland Browns quarterback battle. The respected beat writer stated Deshaun Watson should start over Shedeur Sanders, the 24-year-old younger brother of Shilo. The 26-year-old Shilo responded with the inflammatory comment, displaying contempt for a journalist with decades of professional experience in sports reporting.
Cabot, who won the prestigious 2025 Bill Nunn Memorial Award for her exceptional football coverage, refused to engage with the insult directly. Instead, she addressed the incident Thursday on Cleveland’s 92.3 The Fan radio station, emphasizing her role as a trailblazer for women in sports journalism. The longtime Browns reporter expressed her commitment to showing women and young girls they can succeed in male-dominated professional fields.
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Failed Football Career Adds Context
Shilo Sanders’ attack comes as his own football career has collapsed. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released him during the 2025 preseason after signing him as an undrafted free agent. He currently faces financial difficulties, entangled in an ongoing bankruptcy case. Meanwhile, his brother Shedeur competes for the Browns starting quarterback position against Watson and Dillon Gabriel under head coach Todd Monken’s evaluation.
What This Means
The incident highlights persistent challenges female journalists face in professional sports coverage, even after decades of progress. Cabot’s measured response demonstrates the professionalism required to navigate hostility while maintaining journalistic integrity. The backlash against Shilo Sanders reflects growing public intolerance for sexist behavior, particularly when directed at accomplished professionals performing their jobs. His comments appear especially tone-deaf given his failed athletic career and personal financial struggles, while Cabot continues receiving industry recognition for her outstanding work covering the NFL.
