Deion Sanders' attorney seeks to quash subpoena, cites 'undue burden' for Georgia Tech opener

Colorado Buffaloes football coach Deion Sanders might not appear in a Denver courtroom in two weeks. 

Sanders' attorney, Harvey Steinberg, has filed a motion to quash a subpoena for Sanders to testify at his son Shilo’s bankruptcy trial in Denver. He cited the process as being an "undue burden" on Sanders as he prepares to open the 2026 season at Georgia Tech, according to USA TODAY Sports' Brent Schrotenboer.

Steinberg also claimed he hasn't accepted the service of a subpoena for Sanders to testify. This directly contradicts a statement made by the Boulder County Sheriff's Office, who attempted to serve Sanders last week and was redirected to Steinberg. Court documents filed this week by Ori Raphael, the attorney for the plaintiff in the case, John Darjean, also state Steinberg accepted the subpoena on behalf of Sanders. 

"The motion, filed on Thursday, is a last-ditch effort to block Sanders from showing up in court. He would be testifying in the trial as his son tries to discharge more than $11 million in debt tied to an alleged violent assault on Darjean. 

“Mr. Sanders is the head coach for the University of Colorado football organization,” the motion to quash states via USA TODAY Sports. “The CU Buffaloes’ first game of the season is set to occur on September 3, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. Thus, Mr. Sanders’ job obligations require him to continue working with the University, staff, and players to both prepare the team for its September 3 game and to travel with the team to Georgia.

“Common sense dictates that Mr. Sanders’ absence from sitting outside the courtroom to await potential testimony will cause him significant and undue personal and professional burdens, and that such a requirement will also significantly impact the CU Buffaloes’ preparation for their season opener.”

Steinberg took everything a step further to protect his client. Steinberg seeks a protective order from the court prohibiting Darjean from serving a subpoena to Sanders. But the biggest question is how relevant is Coach Prime to the case at this point? He played a role before and after the assault, including taking Shilo Sanders to a juvenile detention center after the assault. 

If Sanders was called to testify, Steinberg stated he would probably do so remotely. That decision would be up to Judge Michael E. Romero, who previously gave remarks on the case and Sanders' subpoena. 

“I’m also concerned there’s a game — CU’s first game is that same week,” Judge Romero said on the Zoom conference via USA TODAY Sports. “So I can see that coming. I am not a CU alum (and) I have no ties to CU. So I don’t care. But I’m just recognizing that is a potential issue.

Deion Sanders recently expressed his frustration about the case.

“They’ve got to stop this man,” Sanders said in a Well Off Media video on June 29. “You can’t be in court for 15 years. It’s not possible. Shilo has a baby, they gonna serve the baby, ‘You have a court date.” 

Sanders and the Buffs will be in Atlanta on Sept. 3 to face Georgia Tech (8 p.m. ET, ESPN). 

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