
Shedeur Sanders fan sues NFL for $100 million over ‘emotional distress' caused by low draft pick
A crestfallen Shedeur Sanders enthusiast is suing the NFL for $100 million over the much-hyped quarterback's disappointing fifth-round draft pick, claiming he suffered 'emotional distress and trauma… as a fan and consumer' because the 23-year-old phenom wasn't selected earlier.
'It was immediate frustration,' the fan, who filed the federal lawsuit as 'John Doe,' told The Independent, on the condition his real name not be published. 'This guy was projected to be the first or second pick, no later than the top five, and to watch mediocre players be chosen before him… it was frustrating.'
Doe, 55, described draft day as 'one of the biggest days' of a player's life.
'And to have all the NFL owners collude and not draft him, it was mentally frustrating and debilitating,' Doe, who said he has no personal connection to Sanders, went on. 'For them to believe that they can just do this and there's no recourse, it has to stop.'
The Cleveland Browns ultimately picked up Sanders, a standout player at the University of Colorado and the son of NFL legend and current Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, 144th overall on the third day of last month's pro draft. Multiple reports blamed Sanders's allegedly vainglorious attitude during the pre-draft process as a major reason for his regrettable showing; one NFL front office exec told NBC Sports that the pro hopeful behaved as if he was being 'recruited,' not as if he was being 'interviewed' for a roster spot.
As for Doe's 'collusion' allegation, the notion has already been shot down by NFL Hall of Famer Cris Carter, who said last week on 'The Art Of Dialogue' podcast that Sanders and his famous dad 'overplayed their hand.'
Some fans have suggested owners agreed not to draft Sanders as a way to punish him for his dad's intense messaging and hype around the quarterback.
Doe, who owns a small logistics company in the Atlanta area, is representing himself in court. He said on Monday that he used a pseudonym in an effort to shield his business from the spotlight as he pursues his admittedly peculiar claim. ('The Court offers no opinion on the propriety of Plaintiff filing this action under the pseudonym 'John Doe,'' Magistrate Judge Christopher Bly wrote in an order allowing Doe, who claims he is unable to afford the customary filing fees, to proceed without upfront payment.)
An NFL spokesman did not respond on Monday to a request for comment.
Doe, according to his May 2 suit, is a 'dedicated fan of Colorado football and has closely followed Shedeur Sanders throughout the 2023 and 2024 seasons.' It says he attended the first game Sanders played for the Colorado Buffaloes on September 2, 2023, against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs, 'witnessing first-hand Sanders' exceptional talent and potential as a quarterback in Coach Deion Sanders' debut with the program.'
Yet, Doe's suit continues, despite Sanders' 'demonstrated skills and significant attention' from professional teams over the past two years, he was left hanging until Day 3 of the 2025 draft.
'Reports and leaked statements suggested that Sanders ''tanked interviews,' 'wasn't prepared,' and 'was too cocky,' which contributed to a narrative that has unjustly harmed his reputation and potential as a player,' Doe's suit contends. 'These slanderous statements reflect biases that influenced the NFL's decision-making process, causing emotional distress and trauma to the Plaintiff as a fan and consumer.'
Doe alleges in his suit that the NFL violated the Sherman Antitrust Act, claiming team owners unfairly conspired 'to influence the drafting process… [and] to restrain trade and limit competition within the league,' that the 'decisions made regarding Sanders may have been influenced by racial discrimination, violating his rights as a player,' that the NFL 'may have engaged in unfair practices by misrepresenting the nature of the drafting process and the qualifications of players,' and that the league's 'actions and the dissemination of slanderous statements have caused severe emotional distress and trauma to the Plaintiff, resulting in frustration, disappointment, and psychological harm as a fan.'
Aside from the $100 million in punitive damages Doe is seeking for the 'impact of the NFL's actions on his emotional well-being,' he is also asking the NFL for a 'formal acknowledgment… regarding the emotional distress caused by their actions and statements,' an apology and retraction of 'the slanderous statements made about Shedeur Sanders,' and the '[i]mplementation of fairer practices in the drafting process to ensure that talented players are recognized and given opportunities based on merit.'
However, as law professor Eugene Volokh wrote for Reason, Doe's case 'is going nowhere.' His claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress is flimsy, at best, and Doe does not have standing to bring such a case, according to Volokh. Further, he argued, Doe's contention regarding the NFL's supposed unfair practices is 'too vague to analyze.'
'I expect the court to indeed promptly dismiss it as frivolous,' Volokh wrote.
Doe told The Independent that he calculated the $100 million figure based upon his own 'emotional distress,' plus 'the amount of money that [Shedeur] lost by being the 144th pick.' (On 'The Art of Dialogue,' Cris Carter estimated that Sanders's late pick reduced his earnings by as much as $50 million.) When asked if he would offer to share any windfall with Sanders, were Doe to win his case, he said he would 'probably donate part of the proceeds to some local football associations to help the youth.'
Doe said he believes 'the NFL needs to be on alert,' even though he is fully aware he faces 'an uphill battle.'
'I don't have a legal team in place yet, and I am still trying to find [one] that would assist in this endeavor,' Doe said. 'I just want people to know that whenever they're feeling like they have no power, that there is always a way for you to gain power. The court system in the U.S. was established so that everyone could be heard. I believe that the NFL thinks that they're above the law and that they can just conduct business any kind of way that they choose to.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
39 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Josh Allen breaks his silence on wedding to Hailee Steinfeld and shows off his ring to reporters
Josh Allen has broken his silence on his wedding to Hailee Steinfeld, telling reporters at Bills practice that it was 'the most important decision' of his life. Allen and Steinfeld tied the knot late last month with a beautiful ceremony at the San Ysidro ranch in Montecito, California. And Allen returned to Bills minicamp on Tuesday showing off a black wedding band as he spoke about a huge offseason which has also seen him win the MVP and sign a record-setting contract with $250million guaranteed. 'They've all been big, none other than marrying my best friend, and she makes everything easier,' he told reporters of the accomplishments. 'So I don't really focus on the other stuff. That was the most important decision I'll make in my life, and I made the right one.' Allen was in good spirits during the press conference but was otherwise hesitant to talk too much about his wedding day, which he and Steinfeld largely kept under wraps beforehand. Nonetheless, he proudly flashed his wedding band as he took to the field for Bills minicamp in Orchard Park, New York. Allen's lavish wedding took place at the celebrity favorite San Ysidro ranch, which has previously seen Chris Pratt, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jessica Simpson marry on its grounds. Along with Steinfeld's dad Peter, her mom Cheri and brother Griffin were among the guests looking on, as were Allen's parents Joel and LaVonne, and his siblings Jason, Nicala and Makenna. The couple were seen celebrating saying 'I do' with a kiss in front of a clapping crowd of guests, with a dark suit-clad Allen seen looking proud as he made his way back down the aisle. Allen and Steinfeld were engaged during the Bills bye week in November, when the quarterback proposed on a California cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The two were first linked in the spring of 2023, when they were photographed dining together in New York City. Steinfeld has since begun attending Bills home games, and the couple hosted a Halloween party. The couple also walked the red carpet together at the NFL Honors ceremony in February, when Allen credited Steinfeld upon accepting the league's MVP award. While the couple did their best to keep details of their special day private, Allen's teammate Dion Dawkins previously revealed the date in an on-air TV slip-up. Allen's black band was visible as he practiced for the Bills on Tuesday at minicamp Speaking on Good Morning Football back in March, Dawkins was asked about the wedding and immediately began to share more details than perhaps the bride and groom would have liked. 'Josh Allen is one of those guys and he sealed that deal,' Dawkins told presenter Kyle Brandt, before adding: 'Soon to come, May 31st.' The budding presenter - who is good friends with Allen himself - then looked back in shock at the announcement of the date. After Buffalo's mandatory minicamp wraps up on Thursday, Allen will be able to enjoy some time off with Steinfeld before training camp begins on July 24.


The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs keeping his discussions with team about viral boat video private
New England Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs declined to share specifics about his conversations with coach Mike Vrabel and the team in the aftermath of a viral video that showed him passing what appeared to be a bag of pink crystals to women on a boat last month. 'Obviously, I want to be as candid with you guys as possible. I kind of have this thing where I don't talk about my personal life with people I don't know personally," Diggs said Tuesday following the team's final minicamp practice. "I'm pretty sure everybody here, men and women, are great people. But I kind of keep my personal life personal.' Tuesday marked the first time Diggs had spoken with reporters since videos were posted online of him chatting with three women before producing the substance. It wasn't clear what the substance was. An NFL spokesman said previously that the league would not comment, and Vrabel said the team would handle the matter internally. 'Obviously, it's a conversation that's happening internal. I can't really get into too much of the conversation about it," Diggs said. "The conversation I had with (Vrabel) and the people in the building is going to handled internal, in-house.' Diggs missed multiple optional team workouts this spring, but was present for the next one following the release of the video. He also was present for the Patriots' mandatory minicamp practices on Monday and Tuesday. Vrabel canceled a third practice originally scheduled for Wednesday. Diggs, 31, has attended multiple events this offseason with hip-hop star Cardi B — including the Met Gala and a Boston Celtics-New York Knicks playoff game. It has created an even bigger spotlight on the 10-year NFL veteran since he signed with the Patriots this offseason as a free agent, getting a three-year, $69 million deal that guarantees him $26 million. The four-time Pro Bowl selection posted six straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons for the Vikings and Bills before he was traded from Buffalo to Houston last spring. He had 47 catches for 496 yards and three touchdowns in eight games for the Texans before he tore the ACL in his right knee in October. Diggs said getting his surgically repaired knee back to 100 percent in time for the start of training camp in July is his focus now. 'I'm grinding each and every day," he said. "Obviously, I can't do too much of the team stuff. But I'm eager to get out there, so whenever they do press the button I'm going to be ready. I'm trying, though." He did line up at times with the first-team offense on Tuesday as it installed new plays. But he wasn't allowed to participate in any full-speed drills, instead doing individual work with trainers. But it hasn't lessened his resolve to be cleared for full contact. "I'm confident. I've kind of took my rehab pretty serious," Diggs said. 'In beginning phases I wasn't as confident, but I was trying it out. ... When I came back here, I was in a mindset of I'm trying to get after and get going. But it's kind of like a dog on a leash, you want to hold it back a little bit, especially because I want to go. But it's the timing of everything and I'm looking forward to training camp.' ___


Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Kirk Cousins drops major hint over NFL future with the Falcons at mandatory minicamp after tense standoff
Kirk Cousins appeared to confirm that he will be staying in Atlanta when the new season rolls around - whether he's the Falcons' starter or not. The former Minnesota Vikings player only joined the Falcons 12 months ago and signed a huge four-year, $180million contract. However, the veteran was hoping to be traded away this offseason after losing his place as the team's starting quarterback to Michael Penix Jr. in December and had skipped OTAs amid the standoff. Yet, the 36-year-old reported for the team's mandatory minicamp Tuesday, seemingly suggesting that he was locking in for the new season with the Falcons. 'We're moving forward and it's about how we as a team and as a quarterback room can be the best we can be in 2025,' he told reporters. When pressed on whether he'd be suiting up elsewhere in the league in the hope of starting, Cousins appeared to have accepted his fate. 'Obviously you'd love to play, but I'm not going to dwell on things that aren't reality,' he candidly responded. Cousins led the Falcons to a 6-3 start last season but lost his job after struggling with interceptions. The Falcons were 1-2 with Penix as the starter for an 8-9 final record. Cousins kept it classy when discussing his younger counterpart, publicly offering his support to Penix. 'Michael's gonna do great. He's going to have a great career. He's off to a great start,' he said. 'I'm just here to support him as he needs it.' Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot had said the team wass comfortable in having Cousins remain with the team as the backup to Penix Jr., the team's 2024 first-round pick but head coach Raheem Morris said the team was open to listening to trade offers. Yet when questioned about the situation Tuesday, Morris brushed it off, insisting that he had no concerns over his quarterback room. 'I don't worry about those things with Kirk because he's a man first, and like, he's gonna go out and do whatever it takes to help this football team as long as he's with us, and he's with us.' explained Morris. 'It's been really less dramatic of a situation than it has been from an outside-of-the-building standpoint.'