Latest news with #DeionSanders
The Herald Scotland
7 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Deion Sanders addresses NFL draft ordeal, mentions health issue
"When you sit up there and say something like he went into a meeting unprepared, like dude, Shedeur Sanders, who's had six different coordinators?" Deion Sanders said on the podcast. He said claims about his son's professionalism were untrue and said to "stop lying." "They want to create these narratives and create these stories and then attach them to a kid that ain't never done nothing wrong," Sanders said. One rumor was that Shedeur wore headphones to a team meeting. Sanders shot that down. "You gonna tell me he had on headphones, Shedeur?" Deion Sanders asked. "Anybody know my son understand he's a professional. Like he's gonna go into a meeting with headphones on?" Samuel told him Shedeur is a "dawg" who would "rise to the top." Sanders then admitted how the situation made him feel. "It did hurt," Sanders said. "It did hurt." But he said two of his sons are using their NFL draft disappointments as motivation and that both were "built" for this situation. His middle son Shilo, a safety, was not drafted and instead signed with Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent. Deion Sanders cited the case of legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady as an example after Brady was selected in the sixth round of the draft in 2000. "The Bible says God uses the foolish things to confound the wise, so it was some foolish stuff that went on, but you know what? That gave them something that they needed ... like that edge that Tom had," Sanders said. MORE: Joe Flacco praises Shedeur Sanders, but says being mentor 'not the main focus' Sanders, 57, has been out of the media spotlight since the NFL draft in April and suggested it was related to a health issue. "I hope you're feeling better," Samuel said to Sanders. Sanders said "what I'm dealing with right now is at whole nother level" but said he's coming back after losing about 14 pounds. He previously had several surgeries to deal with blood clots in his legs. His Buffaloes team opens the season on Aug. 29 at home against Georgia Tech. Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Colorado Football is All Over Social Media for Most Recent GPA
Colorado Football is All Over Social Media for Most Recent GPA originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Deion Sanders is entering his third season as head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, and his impact continues to extend far beyond the football field. When Sanders took over a bottom-feeding program, he promised a complete cultural shift with his "Louis," and he has delivered. Advertisement The transformation was evident again Friday when CoIs lorado football announced a 2.95 GPA for the spring semester, the highest spring GPA in program history and second-highest overall. It follows a 3.01 GPA set last fall. While it's a high point for program, not everyone on social media was ready to congratulate Sanders and the Buffs. "Respect to Prime but 2.9 as your 2nd highest is crazy" Damp said. "The schools gotta stop posting anything below a 3.0" 😂😂, Ben added. "And I have to keep above a 3.5 for my scholarship 😭," Ian said. "C's get degrees," Tim and MSU Barstool said. "I can't believe this is a flex 😂," Dark Horse said. Advertisement "yall should delete this 💀," Wiley added. Related: Browns Insider Turns Heads Over Comments on Shedeur Sanders Sanders has consistently preached the importance of academics, often stating that success in the classroom must come before success on the field. His players have clearly embraced that philosophy. Related: Deion Sanders Reveals He's Been Battling Health Issues During Offseason As Coach Prime continues to rebuild Colorado football, the program's rising academic standards offer a strong sense of the culture he's establishing in Boulder. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Exclusive: Why did Shedeur Sanders slide in draft? NFL team execs give blunt views
Listen to some of the key voices from inside NFL draft war rooms. Let them tell us why Shedeur Sanders, projected by plugged-in analysts as a surefire first-round pick, became the man with arguably the most precipitous slide in draft history. What the heck happened? Advertisement The former Colorado quarterback, son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, lasted until the fifth round, when the Cleveland Browns drafted him 144th overall. 'It's never strictly football,' contended a high-ranking decision-maker for an NFL team. 'I think his dad's involvement hurt him,' a high-level executive from another team maintained. 'Some of the things his dad said, I think that weighed on people's minds.' 'It was talent-based,' insisted the top personnel executive from an NFC team. 'There were other factors, but you can't chalk it all up to that.' The three executives who shared those perspectives were among several who agreed to speak to USA TODAY Sports, assessing Sanders' tumble. All spoke on the condition of anonymity, not wanting to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue – which undoubtedly raises questions about the subjectivity of the NFL draft process and by extension the influence of cultural bias. Advertisement 'We liked Shedeur,' added the high-ranking decision-maker, whose team was clearly in the market to draft a quarterback. 'But you can't separate the other stuff from the physical abilities.' The 'other stuff' he alluded to didn't involve any of the major off-the-field issues (such as arrests or substance abuse) that can get prospects removed from a team's draft board. Instead, he expressed concerns about Sanders' leadership style and a flashy persona that included flexing a customized, diamond-studded watch that he wore during games and promoting his personal clothing line, '2Legendary.' 'It's not about being a brand,' the decision-maker added. 'It's about being a teammate and earning a job.' We knew for months that Sanders represented one of the draft's biggest storylines. He was clearly the most polarizing player in the draft, as suggested during and since the three-day event by the barrage of opinions, analysis and yes, conspiracy theories hatched, which followed intense scrutiny and controversy in the weeks leading up to the late-April draft. Advertisement Yet even with that, few, if any, in the NFL universe – including some charged to evaluate prospects for NFL teams – suspected that he would last until the third day of the draft. 'I didn't think 'first-round,'" the decision-maker added. 'But I thought higher than fifth.' 'We never had him as a first-round pick' Of course, where Sanders ranked on the draft board of any given team reflects the traditional crapshoot nature of the draft and nuances that include variations in standards of evaluation for one team versus another. When it comes to the draft, consensus often is not the ticket after the blue-chip players from any given crop are accounted for. Advertisement One high-ranking executive described the marks his team puts on prospects as three separate grades. In addition to grades for pure football and a medical grade (which considers the effect of past injuries), there's an 'intensity' grade that covers intangibles. Standardized cognitive testing used by the NFL, off-the-field issues, culture fit concerns are factors weighed in the latter grade. New York Giants president John Mara general manager Joe Schoen, Jaxson Dart, and head coach Brian Daboll pose for photos prior to the start of the press conference to introduce the Giants first round draft picks. Dart was one of five quarterbacks taken ahead of Shedeur Sanders. Sanders remained on that team's board, but the executive said, 'We never had him as a first-round pick.' However, another high-ranking executive from an AFC team that was not in the market to draft a quarterback projected Sanders as a possible first-round pick because of the premium on quarterbacks. He said Sanders did not rank among the top 32 players on their board for overall grades but projected as a 'capable starter.' Advertisement 'Usually, that guy goes in the first round,' he said. 'As a running back, you'd think second or third round. But it's different for a quarterback. The quarterback position is more valuable. We expected him to go early.' Sanders, he added, was clearly rated as the second-best quarterback prospect on their board after Cam Ward, who was drafted No. 1 overall by the Tennessee Titans. As the draft unfolded, though, Ole Miss product Jaxson Dart (Giants, 25th overall), Louisville's Tyler Shough (Saints, 40th), Alabama's Jalen Milroe (Seahawks, 92nd) and Oregon's Dillon Gabriel (Browns, 94th) were all drafted before Sanders. Interestingly, the Browns passed on Sanders in selecting Gabriel. After Day 2 of the draft, Browns general manager Andrew Berry said 'fit comes into play' in explaining why the team passed on Sanders. The next day, Berry rationalized the decision to draft Sanders in the context of value acquired by taking a quarterback at that point in the draft. Advertisement Who knows? If Sanders blossoms into the answer for a franchise that has floundered repeatedly in seeking a franchise quarterback, his bargain-basement price for draft capital and cap dollars (he will count for less than $1 million against the salary cap), it would be quite the counter to the enormous price paid ($254 million guaranteed, three first-round picks) for the bust that is Deshaun Watson, injury mishaps or not. The AFC team's executive who saw Sanders as a first-rounder said that his team had no formal interaction with the quarterback during the draft process, opting not to put resources in evaluating a prospect they viewed as a starter rather than backup. Although they were aware of reports from other teams – such as the story that surfaced during the combine when an assistant coach from another team declared that Sanders was 'arrogant' during what he rated as the worst interview he ever encountered – there were no knocks to document from first-hand experience. Conversely, the executive from an NFC team offered a scathing rebuke of Sanders. He said Sanders refused to interview with his team, which has an established quarterback in his prime. He said that in turning down the interview at the combine, Sanders told one of his team's scouts: 'You've already got a quarterback and you're not picking in the top five.' Sanders' representatives did not respond to a request for comment. An unrealistic view of value It's typical for teams to conduct 15-minute, formal interviews with top prospects at the combine or all-star bowl games, even if they have no plans to draft them. It's an opportunity for teams to become familiar with players and file impressions, perhaps for future reference, such as with free agency or trade talks. Advertisement That exchange, though, also underscores something else that multiple voices from teams expressed: Sanders had an unrealistic view of his value. In any event, in this case the executive said Sanders' refusal to interview wasn't a factor in his projection of the quarterback as a third or fourth-round pick. Nor was Sanders' decision not to work out at the combine a factor, he insisted, while mentioning that in 2024, Caleb Williams didn't work out at the combine before becoming the No. 1 pick overall. MORE: Shedeur Sanders takes high road after NFL draft plunge. His response: gratitude 'We grade the position the same every year,' he said. Advertisement While he praised Sanders for his accuracy and toughness, he considered his arm strength as 'good, not great' and questioned his process in reading progressions. Sanders led the nation with a 74% completion rate in 2024 and in two seasons at Colorado fired 64 touchdown passes (13 interceptions). The executive said the high number of sacks Sanders absorbed (94 as a junior and senior) couldn't be blamed solely on a suspect offensive line. Sanders, he maintained, too often held onto the football for too long while locking in on targets. Although he had reservations about some of the non-football questions, he doubled down on the talent-based assessment by referencing a controversial Cincinnati Bengals pick from the 2017 draft. The executive said: 'Joe Mixon slapped a woman on TV and still got drafted in the second round.' In other words, the executive underscored the notion that talent so often eclipses other factors when it comes to opportunity. Advertisement Still, the standards are typically different for a quarterback pegged to be the face of a franchise. Sanders' supporters, considering race, will point to Baker Mayfield and Johnny Manziel as examples in recent years of flashy white quarterbacks who became first-round picks. By the same token, one of the executives pointed to a Black quarterback, Cam Newton, like Mayfield a No. 1 pick overall, as a cautionary example. The son-of-coach score usually carries weight Before he was drafted in 2011, Newton raised eyebrows when he maintained that he wanted to become 'an entertainer and an icon.' More recently, Newton fueled buzz by stating that when he got to the Carolina Panthers, he arrived to a 'locker room of losers.' Advertisement It's a stretch to project that mentality on Sanders. But one team decision-maker contends that the quarterback's persona rubs him as a 'look-at-me' form of selfishness – even in an age where players are more prone to social media exploits and creative on-the-field celebrations. Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders with son and quarterback Shedeur Sanders. 'The quarterback's already getting the money and attention,' the decision-maker said. 'They don't have to make more attention. It doesn't play well with your team. 'All the red flags are there. If it was a different position, it probably wouldn't have the same level of importance.' For Sanders, it's even deeper than being a quarterback. Another layer of standard is attached to his famous father. Advertisement This seems a bit sticky. On one hand, you'd think that prospects (Shedeur's older brother, Shilo, a safety, signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) raised by one of the greatest athletes of his era would have traits instilled in them that would aid in their pursuit of pro football careers. And throughout their lives, they've been exposed to resources (like Shedeur calling Tom Brady for advice) that many could only dream of. Also, the father happens to be an immensely successful college coach. Typically, son-of-coach scores well on the NFL evaluation meter. Yet one NFL executive viewed Coach Prime's impact on Shedeur's draft process as a detriment. Sure, some might fret about the possibility of the Hall of Famer publicly skewering a team if adversity strikes with his son. Deion has spoken in the past about teams he wouldn't want Shedeur to play for and opined on why some teams repeatedly pick high in the draft. Yet the team executive maintains that Shedeur's draft stock suffered because of the approach to the draft process. Advertisement MORE: Shedeur Sanders' dramatic NFL draft slide seems deeper than pure football 'I think he had some bad advice from his father,' the executive said. 'He needed a traditional agent like other players. He and his dad, they felt like they didn't need that. I think that affected him.' That's debatable, to some degree. Yet an agent might have urged Shedeur to employ a different strategy for dealing with teams during the draft process. Shortly after he was drafted, Sanders, without being specific, owned up to regrets. 'I feel like in life, there's always a way I can improve,' he told Cleveland media during a conference call. 'I'm able to improve. And some things that I (did) seemed right at the time. I could've went about it in a different way.' Advertisement The executive whose team pegged Sanders as a first-round pick said he hopes the young quarterback will learn a valuable lesson about humility from the draft process. 'You're not your dad,' he added. 'You don't have that type of ability.' Another key executive also threw some shade at the Hall of Fame father. 'The way he reacted as the draft unfolded, I thought he handled himself well,' he said of Shedeur. 'The best thing to happen might be to get away from his father and be on his own.' Then again, with so many strong opinions about his ability, traits and process, Sanders embarks on his NFL journey with no shortage of motivational fuel to prove that some particular NFL power players were so wrong. Advertisement Follow Jarrett Bell on social media: @JarrettBell This story was updated to add new information. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shedeur Sanders' draft slide: NFL executives are blunt about reasons
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Deion Sanders addresses son Shedeur's NFL draft experience: 'It did hurt'
Colorado football coach Deion Sanders gave his first extensive remarks about his quarterback son Shedeur's disappointing NFL draft experience, saying the ordeal 'did hurt' him emotionally and disputed claims that Shedeur acted unprofessionally in pre-draft interviews with NFL teams. Sanders spoke about it in a podcast on Friday with former NFL cornerback Asante Samuel after dealing with an unspecified health issue in recent weeks at his estate in Texas. His son was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round in April after previously being projected by experts as a first-round pick. Advertisement 'When you sit up there and say something like he went into a meeting unprepared, like dude, Shedeur Sanders, who's had six different coordinators?' Deion Sanders said on the podcast. He said claims about his son's professionalism were untrue and said to 'stop lying.' 'They want to create these narratives and create these stories and then attach them to a kid that ain't never done nothing wrong,' Sanders said. One rumor was that Shedeur wore headphones to a team meeting. Sanders shot that down. 'You gonna tell me he had on headphones, Shedeur?' Deion Sanders asked. 'Anybody know my son understand he's a professional. Like he's gonna go into a meeting with headphones on?' Advertisement Samuel told him Shedeur is a 'dawg' who would 'rise to the top.' Sanders then admitted how the situation made him feel. 'It did hurt,' Sanders said. 'It did hurt.' But he said two of his sons are using their NFL draft disappointments as motivation and that both were 'built' for this situation. His middle son Shilo, a safety, was not drafted and instead signed with Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent. Deion Sanders cited the case of legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady as an example after Brady was selected in the sixth round of the draft in 2000. 'The Bible says God uses the foolish things to confound the wise, so it was some foolish stuff that went on, but you know what? That gave them something that they needed ... like that edge that Tom had,' Sanders said. Advertisement MORE: Joe Flacco praises Shedeur Sanders, but says being mentor 'not the main focus' Sanders, 57, has been out of the media spotlight since the NFL draft in April and suggested it was related to a health issue. 'I hope you're feeling better,' Samuel said to Sanders. Sanders said 'what I'm dealing with right now is at whole nother level' but said he's coming back after losing about 14 pounds. He previously had several surgeries to deal with blood clots in his legs. His Buffaloes team opens the season on Aug. 29 at home against Georgia Tech. Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Deion Sanders addresses NFL draft ordeal, mentions health issue
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Deion Sanders' Nike Air Diamond Turf 1 'Ravens' Sells Out in Minutes
Deion Sanders' Nike Air Diamond Turf 1 'Ravens' Sells Out in Minutes originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Deion Sanders continues to leave his mark both on and off the field. The latest re-release of his signature Nike Air Diamond Turf 1, in a 'Ravens' colorway, sold out within minutes of its online debut Friday morning. Advertisement Nike's revival of the 1994 classic is the latest chapter in Sanders' enduring influence on sneaker culture. Originally designed to match Sanders' rare two-sport dominance in the NFL and MLB, the Air Diamond Turf 1 featured a midfoot strap, bold color blocking and a logo symbolizing both sports. The shoe quickly became synonymous with Sanders' flashy persona and remains a staple in the history of signature athletic footwear. While many fans associate the Diamond Turf line with Sanders' 1994 season in San Francisco, the original model is tied to his early years in Atlanta with the Falcons and Braves. The design's roots reflect the era when Sanders' star power first captivated the sports world. He's the only player to hit a home run and score a touchdown in the same week. A feat that will likely go untouched in history. Advertisement Related: Five-Star Recruit Sends Clear Message to Deion Sanders After Colorado Snub The new 'Ravens' colorway taps into nostalgia while introducing the silhouette to a new generation. Its rapid sellout reflects the shoe's timeless appeal. Also, Sanders' continued relevance in sports and fashion is evident. His return to Nike after years with Under Armour has only amplified excitement around his retro line. Related: Deion Sanders Sparks Nike Frenzy, but Raises Oversaturation Concerns Now Sanders' cultural impact is seeing a resurgence. With his son, Shedeur Sanders, emerging the next generation of the Nike legacy, there will be no shortage of future colorways. Advertisement Another Diamond Turf sell out shows that when it comes to iconic sneakers and lasting influence, Sanders still sets the standard. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
