Shedeur Sanders Blames Draft Hate on Deion’s Legacy, Eyes Browns Breakthrough

Shedeur Sanders, the newly minted Cleveland Browns quarterback, has stepped into the NFL spotlight with a chip on his shoulder and a theory about the criticism he’s faced. Drafted in the fifth round at pick No. 144, far below his projected No. 2 slot, Sanders believes much of the negativity stems from his famous father, Deion Sanders. "Ninety-nine percent of the hatred directed at me is really about pops," he told a local high school crowd, noting that older generations, familiar with Deion’s flashy persona, are quicker to judge him than younger fans who meet him in person.

Sanders’ slide in the draft raised eyebrows, but he’s not letting the skeptics define him. "When I meet people face-to-face, there’s no negativity," he said, emphasizing his open-door policy for questions from fans. Now, as he joins a stacked Browns quarterback room alongside veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, plus fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, Sanders has a chance to prove his worth. Fresh off signing his rookie contract, he’s ready to silence the doubters during offseason workouts.

The pressure is on, but Sanders seems unfazed, leaning into his charm and confidence to navigate the challenges ahead. With all eyes on him, the young quarterback is poised to carve his own path, separate from his father’s shadow.