USA TODAY on July 22 asked a Colorado bankruptcy court to intervene in Shilo Sanders’ case and unseal documents, including a redacted transcript of a July 14 sealed hearing. Sanders filed for bankruptcy in 2023 seeking to discharge an $11.89 million default judgment tied to a 2015 school incident. The paper argues the public’s First Amendment right to access court proceedings weighs against secrecy, particularly given the family’s public profile and the case’s procedural history.
USA TODAY Moves To Unseal Records, Intervene in Shilo Sanders Bankruptcy Case
Shilo Sanders’ football journey has unfolded alongside his father, Deion Sanders, beginning on youth and showcase stages before moving into the college spotlight.See the early moments that helped shape Sanders’ path in football as his career started to take form.Above, Team Ballaholics head coach Deion Sanders poses with his son defensive back Shilo Sanders at Camping World Stadium.(Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports/Imagn Images)
USA TODAY has filed a motion to intervene in the Colorado bankruptcy proceeding of former Colorado football player Shilo Sanders, asking the court to unseal records and release a redacted transcript of a July 14 pretrial hearing that was conducted under seal.
What USA TODAY Asked The Court
The national news organization filed the motion in Colorado bankruptcy court on July 22 through Denver law firm Zansberg Beylkin LLC. The filing asks the court to: (1) order the release of a redacted transcript of the July 14 hearing; (2) unseal several motions that were adjudicated at that hearing and had been filed under seal in May; and (3) oppose any effort to close the upcoming bankruptcy trial scheduled for Aug. 31.
Legal Basis: Public Access And The First Amendment
USA TODAY argues that the public and press have a presumptive First Amendment right to attend and report on judicial proceedings, and that courts should only restrict access when specific legal findings justify closure. The filing emphasizes the press’s role as a surrogate for the public in ensuring transparency and accountability in the judicial system.
Case Background
Shilo Sanders, 26 and the son of Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, filed for bankruptcy in 2023 seeking to discharge an $11.89 million default judgment tied to an incident at a Dallas school in 2015, when he was 15. John Darjean, a former school security guard, sued Sanders and his parents in 2016 alleging an assault that caused permanent injuries. Sanders’ parents were dismissed from the suit by early 2019.
The case proceeded to a Texas trial in 2022, but Shilo Sanders did not appear. After hearing Darjean’s evidence, a judge entered an $11.89 million default judgment against him. Darjean is now contesting Sanders’ bankruptcy filing and argues the judgment is nondischargeable because it arises from a "willful and malicious injury." Sanders contends the episode was self-defense and seeks to discharge the debt through bankruptcy.
Why The Matter Attracts Public Interest
USA TODAY notes several factors that make public access important: Deion Sanders’ public statements calling Darjean a "grifter" and disputing the claims; the family’s public profile and the potential perception that wealthy or famous parties could receive special treatment; and the general principle that bankruptcy proceedings are ordinarily public as part of the tradeoff that allows debtors to obtain a fresh start.
Procedural Questions Raised
The filing highlights procedural choices that shaped the litigation: Deion Sanders was an original defendant in the 2016 lawsuit but was dismissed by early 2019. The motion asks why Shilo Sanders allowed his attorneys to withdraw in 2020 when he was 20 — a decision his former counsel said was because he was "unwilling or unable to continue funding the defense" — and notes that Sanders did not retain new counsel until after Darjean sought collection on the judgment in 2023.
Next Steps: The bankruptcy court will consider USA TODAY’s motion to intervene and whether to unseal the requested materials. The central legal question remains whether the $11.89 million judgment can be discharged or is excepted from discharge under bankruptcy law.
Reporter: Brent Schrotenboer (@Schrotenboer). Email: [email protected]
Vanderbilt running back Keyon Henry-Brooks (21) is stopped short of a first down by South Carolina defensive back Shilo Sanders (21) during the second quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn.(George Walker IV, Imagn Content Services, LLC)
Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Ramel Keyton has a pass go off his fingertips against South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Shilo Sanders at Williams-Brice Stadium.(Jeff Blake, USA TODAY Sports/Imagn Images)
Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders yells at Jackson State safety Shilo Sanders on the sideline in the Southern Heritage Classic between Tennessee State University and Jackson State University at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tenn., on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021.(Henry Taylor, USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Shilo Sanders of the Jackson State Tigers intercepts this pass by the South Carolina State Bulldogs during the first half of the Cricket Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 18, 2021, in Atlanta, Georgia.(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
Twan Flip Jr. of the North Carolina Central Eagles is tackled by Shilo Sanders of the Jackson State Tigers during the second half of the Cricket Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 17, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia.(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
Colorado Buffaloes safety Shilo Sanders runs for a touchdown after making an interception against the Colorado State Rams during the first half at Folsom Field.(Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports/Imagn Images)
Safety Shilo Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes celebrates with head coach Deion Sanders after scoring a touchdown after an interception against the Colorado State Rams in the first quarter at Folsom Field on September 16, 2023, in Boulder, Colorado.(Dustin Bradford, Getty Images)
Colorado Buffalos safety Shilo Sanders against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium.(Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images)
Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) and safety Shilo Sanders (21) pose for a photo before the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field.(Ron Chenoy, Imagn Images)
Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes talks with safety Shilo Sanders #21 of the Colorado Buffaloes during first half of the NCAAF game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium on October 07, 2023, in Tempe, Arizona. The Buffaloes defeated the Sun Devils 27-24.(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
Mikey Matthews #0 of the Utah Utes is tackled by Shilo Sanders #21 of the Colorado Buffaloes during the second half of their game at Rice Eccles Stadium on November 25, 2023, in Salt Lake City, Utah.(Chris Gardner, Getty Images)
Shilo Sanders, the son of US football star Deion Sanders, presents a creation for the Louis Vuitton Menswear Ready-to-wear Fall-Winter 2024/2025 collection as part of the Paris Fashion Week, in Paris on January 16, 2024.(ALAIN JOCARD, AFP via Getty Images)
(L-R) Shedeur Sanders, Deion Sanders, Shilo Sanders and Deion Sanders Jr. attend the 13th annual NFL Honors at Resorts World Theatre on February 08, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada.(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
Shilo Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes warms-up prior to their spring game at Folsom Field on April 27, 2024, in Boulder, Colorado.(Matthew Stockman, Getty Images)
Safety Shilo Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes during the NCAAF game at Arizona Stadium on October 19, 2024, in Tucson, Arizona. The Buffalos defeated the Wildcats 34-7.(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
(L-R) Shilo Sanders #21, Head coach Deion Sanders and Shedeur Sanders #2 of the Colorado Buffaloes walk the field during senior day celebrations prior to the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field on November 29, 2024, in Boulder, Colorado.(Andrew Wevers, Getty Images)
Shilo Sanders of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works out during the 2025 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rookie Mini-Camp at AdventHealth Training Center on May 09, 2025, in Tampa, Florida.(Julio Aguilar, Getty Images)
Shilo Sanders of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts prior to the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on August 23, 2025, in Tampa, Florida.(Julio Aguilar, Getty Images)
Jackson Hawes of the Buffalo Bills breaks a tackle from Shilo Sanders of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on August 23, 2025, in Tampa, Florida.(Julio Aguilar, Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills tight end Jackson Hawes runs past Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Shilo Sanders (28) in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium.(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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