Shedeur Sanders sends clear message about disrespect over jersey number

Yahoo

21-05-2025

Shedeur Sanders is writing his own narrative after some tried to write it for him.
Deion Sanders' son known as 'Grown' solidified his long-standing nickname during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere. In the days leading up to the NFL Draft, a great deal of conjecture surfaced regarding the Colorado signal-caller. Most of it unconfirmed and most of it negative. A player that had no draft projections outside the first two rounds by anyone of significance, fell to the fifth round.
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Perhaps the biggest NFL Draft slide of all time. From the lead up to the draft, to three weeks post draft, the story of the Draft was the 'why' behind Shedeur's famous slide. The answer of why may never be completely confirmed with many fans throwing words around like 'collusion' and 'punished.' However, Sanders arrived in Cleveland ready to go. Everyone who has watched him with consistency has likely picked up on a similarity between person and persona.
Deion invented Primetime as a persona to allow him to elevate his value. Shedeur, who plays QB, does not need a persona to improve earning potential for the position. The blueprint though would explain why there is also Sanders and 2Legendary. 2Legendary talks about 'Brady Mode' and flashes the watch if the moment calls for it.
Sanders along with about 40 other noteworthy NFL rookies made their way to California for the Premiere. Gravitating to what is familiar is simply human nature. On their way to the event, Sanders and Travis Hunter find themselves seated near each other on the bus. While this was a nice visual for CU Buffs fans, there was a momentary concern that Shedeur might lean into that human nature and spend most of any disposable time with Hunter.
Once inside the event though, Shedeur could be seen mingling with other rookies, like Cam Ward, Tyler Shough, and Cam Skattebo. But for the most part, Shedeur spent the bulk of that disposable time with new teammate and projected RB1 Quinshon Judkins. Even to a casual fan, a rookie QB spending time getting to know and assisting his future RB1 is the best way to spend that time.
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Shedeur in his own way looked out for Judkins. Showing Sanders' ability to be in the moment and maintain a strong mindfulness, he got dressed next to Judkins and noticed something that could've been missed. Judkins was almost ready to walk out in just the brown under socks.
Shedeur mentioned to him nonchalantly, 'They wanna see the stripes' while holding the over socks with white-orange-white-orange-white striping Shedeur was hinting at. It says something about that preparation anonymous sources claimed Shedeur didn't have. What rookie is worried about the uniform inspector in May? A rookie that understands what his future role will be.
As part of the jersey reveal event, rookies were asked to participate in certain vendor aspects. One of those included sitting at a table with four condiment cups with indescribable contents within them. Someone off camera informed Shedeur that they hope he will try each one and give a review on how they taste.
Related: Travis Hunter roasts Shedeur Sanders over being broke from NFL Draft slide
The moment Sanders could not identify what was in those cups he said very plainly, 'I don't know what that is. Naw, I'm sure they're nice. I'll take your word for it.' Then he politely but not abruptly exited that table. There have been many NFL players who had to release a statement about a failed drug test. In many of those cases, they will say 'I have to be more responsible with what I put in my body.' It might've just been that he didn't trust strange looking food. Either way, it was the smart thing to do.
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Related: Deion Sanders drops latest kid rankings with surprising No. 1
Cleveland is now figuring out that Sanders has a built in fanbase. During the event, he took a moment to address his fans and anyone who has spoken aggressively about 'his number.' The fans will go to bat for Shedeur even if he's never asked them to. In this direct appeal, he does not mince words.
This was a cease-and-desist letter told verbally in under 10 seconds. Sanders made it clear, to let it go on the No. 2. He went so far as to say, don't even call me '2' anymore. 'Don't even call me 2 anymore. Call me 12. If you call me 2, you're disrespecting me,' Sanders said.
From the moment Shedeur didn't go as high as expected, football fans have seen Sanders; not 2Legendary compose himself like the lifelong trained professional he is. He's done and said everything the way teams, players, coaches, and front offices want a QB to be.
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Related: Shedeur Sanders signs rookie contract with Cleveland Browns
Despite pre-draft reports to the contrary. 2Legendary will likely return, but not until he has earned it. Not because it's the will of the people but because that's how he sees it. The first time he leads a game winning drive in Cleveland, it'll be 'wrists up' to the Dawg Pound and they will love him for it.
Until then, he seems content to keep his head down, work like he has something to prove, and prepare to be the Legendary version of himself. When the situation calls for it.