As Shilo Sanders prepares for a major bankruptcy trial later this year, his legal team is now trying to narrow what evidence jurors could see in court. The latest filing centers on Sanders’ effort to block testimony and records tied to unrelated disciplinary incidents ahead of an August 31 trial that could determine whether he remains responsible for nearly $12 million in debt.
The case stems from a long-running legal battle involving a 2015 altercation at Sanders’ Dallas-area school, where former security guard John Darjean alleged Sanders caused serious injuries during a confrontation over a confiscated phone. Darjean sued Sanders and his parents in 2016.
While Deion Sanders and Sanders’ mother were later dismissed from the lawsuit, Shilo was hit with an $11.89 million default judgment in 2022 after failing to appear for trial.
Now, Sanders’ attorneys are focused on what information can be introduced when the bankruptcy dispute heads to court. According to recent filings obtained by NBC Sports, his legal team seeks to exclude evidence of Sanders’ prior disciplinary history that is not directly related to the incident involving Darjean.
The upcoming trial will decide whether the debt tied to the judgment can be discharged through bankruptcy. Under federal bankruptcy law, debts connected to “willful and malicious” injuries are generally not eligible to be wiped away. Throughout the legal process, Sanders has maintained that he acted in self-defense during the 2015 incident.
The evidentiary dispute arises as Sanders continues to deal with multiple legal fronts tied to his bankruptcy proceedings. In separate litigation, the bankruptcy trustee overseeing Sanders’ Chapter 7 case has accused him of improperly transferring approximately $250,000 in earnings from his name, image, and likeness through businesses called Big 21 and Headache Gang.
Earlier this year, a federal judge rejected Sanders’ attempt to dismiss that trustee lawsuit, ruling that the claims raised enough factual issues to proceed toward a possible trial. Judge Michael Romero wrote that determining the nature of the disputed funds would require evidence regarding Sanders’ contracts, services, and financial records.
Beyond the courtroom, Sanders’ public profile has remained active even after his football career stalled. The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back went unsigned after being released during preseason roster cuts and has recently shifted toward influencer work, entertainment projects, and social media appearances.
He also faced criticism over sexist remarks directed at veteran reporter Mary Kay Cabot.
