Baltimore – Shelomi Sanders hails from a prominent football family. Her father, Dion, is a Hall of Fame cornerback and is currently the head coach at Colorado. Her brother Chedur plays for the Cleveland Browns, while another brother, Shiro, is in camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
However, in college, Shelomi has taken a different path. Although she played at Jackson State and Colorado, where her father and brothers have also made their mark, she’s gearing up for her second season with the Alabama A&M women’s basketball team. While she walks by the WNBA courts, she regards Dallas Wings forward Dehony Carrington as her favorite player.
Last Friday, Shelomi found herself at the Under Armour Performance Center in Baltimore, engaging in a fun yet competitive game involving the head, shoulders, knees, and ball, alongside Mark Andrews, a Pro Bowl tight end for the Baltimore Ravens. Laughter filled the air, especially when Sanders tried her best but ultimately lost to Andrews. This event was particularly delightful for numerous local children dealing with diabetes.
That day, Sanders was among 21 collegiate athletes who signed a name, image, and likeness agreement with Dexcom, a healthcare company that specializes in continuous glucose monitoring systems for managing diabetes. Among her fellow signers was Ali Long from the Oregon women’s basketball team and UConn softball player Jessica Walter, along with Reagan Lantz from Miami (Ohio) volleyball.
After the game and some drills with the kids at Dexcom’s Signature Day Camp, Sanders took a moment to chat with SB Nation. Her glucose levels were low at the time, prompting her mom to provide Skittles and Gatorade for a quick pick-me-up.
“I mean, it’s definitely not easy being a diabetic college athlete,” Sanders admitted, reflecting on her diagnosis at a young age. “I went through various difficulties, and it has taught me responsibility. Thankfully, I’ve got amazing coaches and teammates who support me as an athlete.”
Now at 21, Sanders was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 13. She uses the Dexcom G7, a continuous glucose monitor worn on her arm that sends real-time glucose numbers to her smartphone.
When she practices or plays, her glucose readings are also accessible to trainers at Alabama A&M, ensuring they know when she needs a breather.
“Honestly, it’s pretty manageable. I’m a player, so when I bump around, it hardly even moves. The warm-up period is essential,” she shared. “It really makes everything much simpler.”
Looking back, she feels there was no clear path for her to step into football like her father and brothers did when she was in high school, but she did play flag football for several seasons. If women’s flag football had developed further in colleges back then, she might have pursued it.
“If it had been an option when I was playing, I can’t help but think I would’ve shown off my football talent,” Sanders expressed. “I know I would have definitely played.”
As women’s flag football gains traction and is set for its international debut at the 2028 Summer Olympics, colleges are starting to sponsor it as a varsity sport, including Alabama, which will compete in SWAC with Sanders’ team.
Earlier this year, the NCAA suggested integrating women’s flag football into the women’s sports program. Already, the Division III Atlantic East is the first NCAA league to offer a full season, encouraging schools like UT-Arlington and Nebraska to expand their programs.
“Scrolling through TikTok, I can’t help but watch every flag football video that pops up. It’s just so entertaining to see the athletic community embrace it,” she remarked, hinting at the growing awareness around women’s sports.
In the midst of the recent excitement regarding women’s sports, Sanders noted, “It feels like a small step, but definitely a step, and I really believe women will eventually receive the respect they deserve.”
There might still be an opportunity for Sanders to showcase her football prowess, as she retains another year of NCAA eligibility after this season.
For now, though, she’s focused on her senior year with Alabama A&M. Last season, she participated in 25 games for the Bulldogs, notably contributing to a victory over Alcorn State with six points, along with two steals and two rebounds.
Her experience in Colorado was quite different, where she played a mere five games.
“I just wanted to go out there and do it for myself and play,” Sanders reflected. “There’s just nothing like the atmosphere of HBCU games—the vibe and the bands are amazing.”
The Alabama A&M Bulldogs set a new program record last season under first-year head coach Dawn Thornton, winning 21 games and making an appearance at the WNIT, finishing 14-4 in SWAC play.
Exciting times lay ahead, but Sanders is keeping her feet on the ground. “I aim to improve by 1% daily. Just being present for myself and my teammates is what matters,” she noted. “We have an incredible team, and while we’re eager about the potential of this year, our focus is firmly on the present.”
