Week 1 of the 2026 college football season just got a whole lot more complicated for Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes. The Hall of Fame defensive back and head coach has been subpoenaed to testify in his son Shilo's bankruptcy trial, which is set to begin on Monday, Aug. 31—just five days before the Buffs' season opener at Georgia Tech.
The trial, which is expected to run through Sept. 4 in Denver, stems from a $11.89 million default judgment against Shilo Sanders, who filed for bankruptcy in 2023. The debt originates from a 2015 incident at Triple A Academy in Dallas, where a school security guard, John DarJean, claims Shilo assaulted him when he tried to confiscate his phone. DarJean later sued and won the judgment, and now Shilo is trying to have the debt discharged in bankruptcy court. However, if the judge determines the injury was 'willful and malicious,' the debt would not be dischargeable.
During a pre-trial conference on Aug. 14, presiding judge Michael E. Romero expressed concern about the timing, noting the potential conflict with Deion's coaching duties. 'I noticed Deion was subpoenaed,' Romero said. 'I'm also concerned there's a game: CU's first game is that same week. So I can see that coming. I am not a CU alum or I have no ties to CU. So I don't care. But I'm just recognizing that is a potential issue.'
It remains unclear whether Deion has been officially served the subpoena, or how he might respond if he is. Judge Romero hinted that the alleged conversation between Deion and Shilo before the incident could be relevant to the proceedings, which could make Deion's testimony crucial.
This legal entanglement adds another layer of drama to a season already under scrutiny for the Sanders family. Deion's son Shedeur, now with the Cleveland Browns, has been in the headlines for his own reasons—from ranking as the league's worst starting QB according to NFL coaches, to his apology to Browns reporters for a training camp snub. Deion's focus, however, remains on Colorado, where he has built a powerhouse program that is expected to contend for a Big 12 title and possibly more.
The timing of the trial could force Deion to choose between his legal obligations and his team's season opener, a dilemma that no coach wants to face. If he is compelled to testify, it could disrupt his preparation for the game, though he might be able to schedule his testimony around the team's travel plans. The trial is set to run through Friday, Sept. 4, which could mean he would miss practice time leading up to the game.
Deion has previously dismissed DarJean as a 'grifter,' a comment that could come back to haunt him if he takes the stand. The case has already dragged on for years, and this trial could be the final chapter in a long-running legal saga. For Colorado fans, the hope is that Deion can juggle both commitments without compromising the team's performance.
As the season approaches, the Buffaloes are gearing up for a tough road test at Georgia Tech, and the last thing they need is a distraction. But with Deion's star power, this story is sure to dominate headlines in the lead-up to the opener. Whether he testifies or files a motion to quash the subpoena, one thing is certain: the first week of the 2026 season will be anything but ordinary for Coach Prime.
