Shedeur Sanders says '99%' of scrutiny during NFL draft came from Deion Sanders critics
Shedeur Sanders says '99%' of scrutiny during NFL draft came from Deion Sanders critics
Much has been written and said about Shedeur Sanders' draft slide, and many people view Deion Sanders as the main culprit.
The former Colorado quarterback and current Cleveland Browns rookie recently spent a morning at a local Cleveland area high school giving life advice and answering the younger generation's questions. Sanders also talked about his draft slide and how, perhaps, his father and his father's fans were the root cause of all the criticism.
"They don't care about other people's opinion of you," Sanders said during an interview with Cleveland.com. "They go based off their own — 99% of hatred [directed at me] is toward pops. And then I'm just his son. But [the kids] didn't grow up in an era where they watched him play. It's just the older generation that does it rather than the younger people. Because when I come in person, there's no negativity I see. But it's all over online."
A big reason why Sanders is excited to immerse himself in the Cleveland and NFL communities is that he can shape his own narrative, one that does not start with his dad.
"That's why I like going [to schools] in person and actually meeting them, and any questions they have, I say, 'Just ask me whatever question you want. Pick any question. No filter, no anything.' That's what they say. And then I just answer whatever they need me to answer."
Sanders' draft process was anything but smooth. The three-day wait included him getting passed over multiple times by quarterback-needy teams and a cruel prank call from a college student imitating New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis.
Cleveland Browns rookie minicamp finished up earlier this month, and Sanders seems to have moved on from the draft. His sole focus is on winning the four-man quarterback battle in Cleveland.
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You felt like you couldn't be beat. It was really just coming off of those guys in those moments. You can feel it at times (with Penix), even last year, but those things are coming.' Them boys up to something 🔥@themikepenix x @DrakeLondon_ — Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) May 29, 2025 Penix had a conversation this offseason with Ryan, who was not known for his verbal reserve. 'He talked to me about his time and how he got to where he ended up, his building blocks,' Penix said. 'That was big time.' Falcons offensive tackle Jake Matthews called Penix 'very reserved' and acknowledged that he wondered last season how Penix would handle the starting job. Advertisement 'But right when he got in the huddle, it was like, 'This guy knows what he's doing,'' Matthews said. 'Very quiet guy off the field, but a great dude. Someone you want to do well for.' Penix has focused this season on getting to know more of his teammates and more about them. Quietly, of course. 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