On Friday, Cleveland Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders started for his team in his preseason debut. He did much better than many expected, getting 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdown passes. His impressive performance has many fans talking, including several big-name athletes and coaches, from LeBron James to Dawn Staley.
“That young 🤴🏾 looking good out there! @ShedeurSanders Keep going UP!!! HEAD down on the grind and HEAD high to the most high 🙌🏾🫡,” tweeted LeBron James.
That young 🤴🏾 looking good out there! @ShedeurSanders Keep going UP!!! HEAD down on the grind and HEAD high to the most high 🙌🏾🫡
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 9, 2025
“SHEDEUR SANDERS, WHO SHOULD’VE BEEN THE FIRST PICK IN THE DRAFT, SHAMED THE ENTIRE NFL TONIGHT.” said sports pundit Skip Bayless.
SHEDEUR SANDERS, WHO SHOULD’VE BEEN THE FIRST PICK IN THE DRAFT, SHAMED THE ENTIRE NFL TONIGHT. pic.twitter.com/5pW9F1qXGt
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) August 9, 2025
“Wow @ShedeurSanders what a throw!!!! Dime!” noted NFL great Richard Sherman.
Wow @ShedeurSanders what a throw!!!!
Dime! pic.twitter.com/AHtOkxDqVU— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) August 8, 2025
“Many thought Shedeur Sanders would fail after being thrown to the wolves as the starter with minimal first team reps against the Carolina Panthers starters. BUT GOD saw fit that Shedeur Sanders would come back leading the pack. Faith and hard work always pay off. Perfect Timing.” added fellow NFL great Robert “RGIII” Griffin III.
Many thought Shedeur Sanders would fail after being thrown to the wolves as the starter with minimal first team reps against the Carolina Panthers starters. BUT GOD saw fit that Shedeur Sanders would come back leading the pack. Faith and hard work always pay off. Perfect Timing.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) August 9, 2025
“Super happy for @ShedeurSanders ! You can try to break a young fella’s spirit but you can’t touch his talent! Do the damn thing Shedeur!!!” said Women’s basketball legend and South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley.
Super happy for @ShedeurSanders! You can try to break a young fella’s spirit but you can’t touch his talent! Do the damn thing Shedeur!!!
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) August 9, 2025
The Cleveland Browns won that game 30-10 after a slow start, with Shedeur Sanders being the man of the night for the team.
Shedeur Sanders Got Hot During the 2nd Quarter
As for what happened during the game, the Carolina Panthers actually held the Cleveland Browns scoreless during the first quarter, almost proving Shedeur Sanders’ doubters correct. However, things changed in the second quarter as the former Buffaloes quarterback found Kaden Davis not once, but twice for two consecutive touchdown passes.
His two big passes to Davis did not just hand Cleveland the lead, but also the game, as the Browns never looked back and held the lead until the game ended.
Davis was big, getting three catches for 23 yards, with the Browns extending their lead 21-7 in the third quarter thanks to a four-yard jet sweep from Gage Larvadain. After that, the game was beyond Carolina’s reach, the final score being 30-10,
It is still not clear if Shedeur Sanders will be starting the next game again, but the browns will next visit the world champion Philadelphia Eagles for their next preseason tune-up on Aug. 16.
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