Parents' Guide to

Deion's Family Playbook

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Hall of Famer puts family first in mild reality.

TV OWN Reality TV 2014
Deion's Family Playbook Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 11+

Based on 2 parent reviews

terrencem
terrencem Adult
June 20, 2015
age 17+

My Review

Great family show implementing values and stability to all

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Lovey13
Lovey13 Adult
December 8, 2014
age 5+

Finally a great Saturday family program...YES!!!

Deion's Family Playbook is inspiring, entertaining, realistic and "feel good funny". The players: Deion, a divorced dad who is trying to leave a real legacy in the community as he depends on faith to get him through this tough season in his life. Tracey, beautiful, smart, businesswoman who loves Deion and his children and is a steady force of "Sweet-love" for the family. Grandma-Great cook and steady helper . Aunt Tootie-Helps with the children-Charming. Florida-Son to Deion and brother to his children-Delightful! and Deion's 5 children (Heartwarming); the twins, his neice and TJ (will make u smile) Dillon (Tracey's son) Awesome! Along with a host of other "village" friends. The dynamics of all the family make for a great message of faith and Truth. The parents mix so beautifully that it gives other families hope..."we are going to be alright". The faith message lets the viewer see that they are not depending on their abilities, but on God. This is a show you don't want to miss.

This title has:

Great messages
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

DEION'S FAMILY PLAYBOOK is a reality series starring former NFL and MLB pro Deion Sanders as he raises his children in Dallas, Texas. The single father is raising three of his biological children, 13-year-old Shilo, 11-year old Shedeur, and his 11-year-old daughter Shelomi, as well as his 16-year old niece, an infant nephew, and his 15-year-old foster son, Florida. Adding to the fray are 7-year-old twins Heaven and Nevaeh, who live in the home and are being fostered by Sanders' mother, Connie. In addition to his parenting duties, he helps run Prime Prep Academy, a charter school he co-founded in order to encourage, mentor, and promote the future success of underprivileged kids in the area. There's never a dull moment, but luckily his girlfriend, entertainment producer Tracey Edmonds, flies in from Los Angeles regularly to help him out.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (2 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Deion's Family Playbook, which is produced by Tracey Edmonds, offers a voyeuristic look into the Sanders' family world, the values of which reflect Deion Sanders' emphasis on worship, education, hard work, mentorship, and, of course, sports. While it showcases Sanders' hands-on parenting and coaching skills, it also succeeds in painting a very charming picture of his life by not addressing some of his well-publicized troubles, including his contentious divorce from reality-celeb Pilar Sanders, and the state's investigation into alleged violations committed by Prime Prep Academy administrators.

Sanders' life and family is not as idyllic as it is being portrayed here, and there are also a fair share of staged moments. But the show's overall positive messages about parenting, children, family, and education make the obvious lack-of-reality forgivable. There are a few mildly entertaining moments, too. Deion Sanders' fans will find it worth watching, but if you're looking for a guilty pleasure, you won't find it here.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about reality shows. What makes a person or family interesting enough to have a reality series of their own? Is it fair to expect that their show will show viewers every detail of their lives?

  • What is the difference between reality TV and an unscripted series? Is it appropriate or ethical for a reality series to feature pre-planned moments? At what point does a a reality show with lots of staged moments begin to turn into fiction?

TV Details

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