As Shedeur Sanders enters the NFL as a fifth-round draft pick by the Cleveland Browns, he’s already facing questions—not about his talent, but about his lineage. The son of legendary Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, Shedeur made it clear during a recent Q&A at John Marshall High School in Cleveland that he’s not defined by his father’s legacy.
“I am who I am. I’m always going to be his son… I’m thankful my dad took the opportunity to do what he was supposed to do. So I don’t ever feel shame or anything like that. I never let outside influence kind of influence me as a person… I’m not gonna let somebody else’s negative thoughts affect how I think.” Shedeur Sanders said in the Q&A session at John Marshall High School in Cleveland, Ohio..”
Shedeur Sanders also admitted that he aimed to help the Cleveland Browns win a Super Bowl. In the history of their franchise, the Browns have never won even one Super Bowl. And perhaps with a game-changing quarterback such as Sanders, the team might be finally able to do just that.
Despite an exceptional senior season at Colorado with over 4,100 passing yards and 37 touchdowns. Shedeur still slipped to the fifth round. Many observers have speculated that concerns over perceived entitlement or overexposure. Due to Coach Prime’s spotlight, it might have factored into his draft slide.
He doesn’t seem fazed. “I never let outside influence kind of influence me as a person… I’m not gonna let somebody else’s negative thoughts affect how I think,” he added.
Shedeur: From College Star to Proving Ground with the Cleveland Browns
Sanders’ transition to the NFL brings both pressure and promise. He arrives in Cleveland with a chip on his shoulder and a hunger to prove he belongs. His draft position does not reflect his college production or leadership.
Yet, public opinion has been divided. On a recent episode of The View, co-host Ana Navarro took aim at Sanders, calling him a “nepo baby” and suggesting his confidence might be clouded by his father’s presence. The clip sparked discussion online, with many defending Sanders’ right to be proud of his roots.
The Washington Post further analyzed his drop in the draft, pointing to concerns that had little to do with on-field performance.
Still, Sanders remains undeterred. His focus lies in earning respect through results, not reputation. With the Browns, he will compete to prove that he’s more than Deion’s son—he’s a quarterback ready for the professional stage.
Related: A Father’s Power: Shohei Ohtani’s First Home Run as a Dad Was More Than Just Baseball
