It didn’t take long for former Colorado Buffaloes and newly drafted Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders to embrace the Cleveland community, as he spoke to students at a public high school on Wednesday.
Shedeur Sanders Visits Cleveland High School To Inspire Students After NFL Draft
From an outside perspective, Sanders has had a difficult past week.
The 2025 NFL Draft began last Thursday, in which the former Buffaloes signal-caller was believed to be a potential option for the New York Giants, who held the No. 3 overall pick. Once he wasn’t picked there, it was the New Orleans Saints at No. 9 and Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 21 that looked to be the next likely landing spots.
Both passed on him, and Round 1 ended without Sanders’ name being uttered on the stage by Commissioner Roger Goodell.
But it was being uttered by nearly the entire sports world. Speculation about why he fell out of the first round arose. But, the thinking was, he could still go in the second round, which was considered his absolute floor.
And then, the real plummet began on Day 2. Through Rounds 2 and 3, no team selected Sanders — but Louisville QB Tyler Shough, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe and Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel all heard their names. But not Sanders.
Speculation turned into accusations of Sanders’ behavior during pre-draft interviews, where he reportedly came off cocky, arrogant and otherwise disinterested.
On Day 3 it took another round to pass before the Browns finally decided to take a chance on Sanders at No. 144 in the fifth round.
With all of that as a backdrop — including apparent public humiliation — Sanders met with members of his new community in Cleveland on Wednesday at John Marshall High School, speaking about his journey and inspiring students on their own path.
Shedeur Sanders went to speak to the kid at Cleveland Public – John Marshall High School today… pic.twitter.com/672vOE0Rxy
— Ricky Smith (@Rickonia) April 30, 2025
Afterward, Sanders was seen walking through the crowd of students, graciously snapping pictures with students along the way.
Shedeur Sanders is already giving back to the Community in Cleveland ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ohDSltgXEC
— We Coming 🦬 (@SkoBuffsGoBuffs) April 30, 2025
With all of the negative public discourse that has enveloped Sanders’ name the past week, it’s a welcome sign to see him giving back to the community.
KEEP READING: QB Guru Blames Shedeur Sanders’ Prank Call on His Lack of an NFL Agent
The Browns certainly hope that his fandom will not only be for being well-liked by the community, but on the field as well.
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