After a shocking fall in the 2025 NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders was taken by the Cleveland Browns with the 144th overall choice in the fifth round. Once touted as a first-round prospect, Sanders’ fall became one of the most talked-about tales of the draft weekend.
However, despite all the talk, Shedeur has not opened his mouth until now. The former Colorado QB recently addressed the criticism he has faced since his NFL Draft slide, stating that “99% of the hatred” directed at him is actually aimed at his father, Deion Sanders.
Shedeur Sanders Opens Up On Coach Prime’s Influence, Draft Night Fallout, And Where The Hate Really Comes From
Shedeur Sanders, once expected to be a first-round pick, stunned the football world when he fell to the fifth round in the 2025 NFL Draft. The entire college football world was shocked, and with U.S. President Donald Trump criticizing the draft slide, aiming his words at NFL teams, the situation became a national talking point. As a result, the NFL saw a 40% increase in viewership during the draft.
Now, weeks later, the fifth-round pick is finally speaking out about the fallout, revealing that much of the criticism directed at him isn’t personal. According to him, it was mostly about his father, Deion Sanders.
Shedeur Sanders on hate his dad, Deion Sanders, gets, which doesn’t come from young kids he goes out to speak to #Browns pic.twitter.com/ap3oLlerTL
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) May 10, 2025
Currently participating in the Browns’ rookie minicamp, Sanders addressed reporters after practice, saying, “Other people’s opinion of you are based off their own. 99% of hatred is towards pops, and then, I’m just, you know, I’m just his son.”
Shedeur believes the negativity mainly comes from generational differences, not personal dislike. “It really just comes from that, and I just told him that too. It just comes from him. They did not grow up in an era where they were watched them play. It’s the oldest generation that does it to me rather than the younger people because when I come in person, there’s no negativity I see,” he said.
KEEP READING: Shedeur Sanders Declares Why He’s Built to Win the QB Throne At Cleveland
This was Shedeur’s first time addressing the media since joining the Browns. The disappointment from draft night still lingers in his eyes, but he knows that what’s done is done. Now, he’s focused on earning a spot in the stacked quarterback room and proving himself to the team.
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