“Like Father, Like Son: Deion & Shedeur Sanders Redefine Black Fatherhood”
- JB Quinnon
- Apr 30
- 2 min read
“Like Father, Like Son: Deion & Shedeur Sanders Redefine Black Fatherhood”
When Shedeur Sanders was drafted into the NFL by the Cleveland Browns, the celebration wasn’t just about football—it was about family, legacy, and fatherhood. Standing proudly by his side was Deion Sanders, a father who has consistently made headlines not only for his Hall of Fame career but for his dedication to raising and mentoring his children.
Their joy in that moment told a deeper story—one that challenges the long-standing myth of the “absent Black father.”
The truth is: Black fathers are some of the most involved parents in America.
According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), based on data from the National Health Statistics Report No. 71, Black fathers who live with their children are more actively involved in their daily lives than fathers of other racial groups. The report found that:
70% of Black fathers who live with their children bathe, dress, or feed them every day.
Even among fathers who don’t live with their children, 41% of Black fathers still bathe, dress, or feed their children daily—compared to 21% of white fathers and 25% of Hispanic fathers in the same category.
These facts stand in stark contrast to the persistent stereotype that Black fathers are uninvolved or missing from their children’s lives. Cultural icons like Oprah Winfrey have spoken out about this, bringing national attention to the data. In one of her televised interviews, she stated:
“The CDC’s own data shows that Black fathers are actually the most involved. This idea that Black men aren’t showing up for their kids? It’s a lie.”
The Sanders family moment went viral because it was both extraordinary and familiar: a proud dad standing beside his son at one of life’s biggest milestones. It wasn’t just a win for Shedeur—it was a victory for every Black father doing the work, seen and unseen.
This isn’t just a sports story. It’s a fatherhood story. And it deserves to be told.
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LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
Black fathers are not just present—they’re proven to be the most involved.
According to the CDC:
70% of Black fathers who live with their children bathe, dress, diaper, or feed them daily—the highest rate among all racial groups.
Even among fathers who don’t live with their children, 41% of Black fathers still engage in these caregiving activities daily—again, the highest percentage reported.
This data disproves the myth and shows what many already know:
Black fatherhood is active, intentional, and deeply involved.
Source: CDC, National Health Statistics Report No. 71
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