Shilo Sanders reacts to support from Rob Gronkowski, Richard Sherman after ejection

While he may have been ejected from Colorado‘s loss to UCLA over the weekend, Shilo Sanders still received a wealth of support afterwards.

The Buffaloes defensive back was disqualified for a hit that many believed was clean, including NFL legends like Rob Gronkowski and Richard Sherman. After seeing the support from some of the best to ever lace them up, Sanders spoke on Monday about what it mean after a tough weekend.

“Uncle Gronk! Yessir,” Sanders exclaimed. “I met him one time, when I was doing my ACL rehab in Dallas last year. I met him actually. Man, he’s such a big dude, I was like, ‘Man, how can people not guard you?’ I just feel like, I could just cover him. But when he was on the field, it’s different. But yeah, it was cool seeing, I think Richard Sherman first tweeted it? Just seeing guys like that give their opinions. I feel like, if I’m good with them, I’m good. So it was real cool seeing Gronk comment on that.

“He said like, I’d rather get up here than in my legs or anything, because when you start enforcing the rules like that, it starts making defensive backs want to go lower and lower, and I don’t really think that’s what y’all really want. It gets dangerous going down there, especially going full speed. I’m coming from 20-yards-deep, with a target. So like, knowing where I’m going. If I aim that lower, bad things can happen. We’ve got pads. We’ve got helmets. For a reason. As long as you’re not being crazy, like using your helmet as a weapon, you should be alright.”

Alas, Sanders makes some salient points on the matter. While officials are flagging defensive backs for their hits up high, there’s much more protection up there than the alternative. Injuries could pile up if Sanders and other defensive backs aim lower against pass catchers.

Regardless, Sanders’ father and coach — Deion Sanders — believes that’s where his son needs to look moving forward.

“He’s gotta keep it low. Just keep it low. If you keep it low, there’s no question,” Sanders said postgame. “I believe that he was not at fault because he turned his shoulder. He always does, he knows how to hit. And I told him I’m proud of him. He was having a heck of a game. He was being dominant on the defensive side of the ball, and I’m just proud of him.

“I’m sorry this transpired but I’m proud of his effort. I don’t ask my kids to be the best on the field, I ask them to give their best. And he gave us his best.”

We’ll see if Shilo Sanders changes his game at all, but it’ll certainly be something to keep an eye on moving forward in Boulder.