Shilo Sanders faces an August bankruptcy trial to determine the fate of an $11.89 million debt. The legal battle stems from a 2015 altercation with a security guard that resulted in a massive default judgment.

After making headlines for his comments against Cleveland Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot, Shilo Sanders is in the news again. But this time, it is over a lawsuit for an incident years ago. 

A recent report by USA Today suggests that Sanders has a pending bankruptcy case with $11 million in debt. 

“An attorney for former Colorado football standout Shilo Sanders recently filed a series of requests in court that seek to limit the scope of evidence that is allowed at his upcoming bankruptcy trial,” Brent Schrotenboer wrote on May 5. 

This lawsuit is related to “Sanders’ disciplinary history as a minor in Texas.” 

As per an investigation by USA Today, in 2015, John Darjean, a security guard at FOCUS Academies in Dallas, “claimed he suffered permanent and severe spinal and nerve injuries.” This happened after he was caught in an altercation with a 15-year-old Sanders. 

Reports suggest that Shilo injured Darjean, who was trying to confiscate Sanders’ phone, and later sued Sanders and his parents. Charges against his parents were dropped in 2019. 

But Darjean filed a lawsuit against Sanders and “won a $11.89 million default judgment” when Sanders failed to show up for the trial in Texas in 2022.

As per Pro Football Talk, “Sanders filed for bankruptcy protection in an effort to have the debt discharged.” A trial is scheduled in August to determine whether the lawsuit can be discharged unless a “willful and malicious injury” is found. 

Sanders, who was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and dropped before pre-season in 2025, claimed he acted in self-defense. USA Today also reported on another incident.

The 26-year-old was involved in another incident with his classmate in 2015, which took place just a day after the one involving Darjean. As per court documents, Sanders “was taken that day to a juvenile detention center in Dallas.”

This news story has followed Sanders just when the press around his recent comments had toned down.

Unhappy With Her Report, Shilo Sanders Asked Reporter To Make Sandwich

On April 29, senior Cleveland Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot published a report stating that Deshaun Watson has the "inside track to be named the Browns QB1” instead of Shedeur Sanders, Shilo’s younger brother.

Cabot also shared her opinion in an X post saying, “I think they should declare him QB1 asap and let the 1st team offence start to cook.”

This did not sit well with Shilo, who replied with “Go make a sandwich Mary,” on Instagram before deleting it within hours. 

Shilo’s comments were flagged across social media, and Cabot also replied to the matter. 

“I know so many women who have joined the football world, especially because of some of the things I’ve been able to do over the years. I’m happy about that,” she said on 92.3 The Fan on April 30.

As of now, all eyes would be on Shilo Sanders and his impending trial. 

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi