Context:

Shedeur Sanders, projected to go as early as No. 2 in the NFL Draft, experienced a surprising fall to the fifth round, sparking widespread discussion in the sports world. President Donald Trump publicly criticized NFL team owners for passing on Sanders, attributing his defense of the young quarterback to his admiration for Shedeur's father, Deion Sanders, and the player's exceptional talent and genetics. Trump's involvement drew comments from Shedeur’s brother, Shilo, who appreciated the president's attention. Following the draft, Shilo Sanders signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent, eliciting gratitude from Deion Sanders toward the team. Shedeur Sanders is now set to join a competitive quarterback lineup in Cleveland, including Deshaun Watson and Joe Flacco, after finishing the 2024 season with impressive passing stats.

Dive Deeper:

• Shedeur Sanders was unexpectedly passed over until the fifth round of the NFL Draft, despite projections placing him as high as the No. 2 pick, raising questions about the reasons behind his draft slide.

• President Donald Trump criticized NFL owners on social media for not selecting Sanders, highlighting Deion Sanders' successful career in football and Shedeur's strong genetic and athletic potential.

• Trump revealed his support for Shedeur was partly due to Deion Sanders being a Trump supporter and partly due to Shedeur's talent, believing the quarterback was unfairly overlooked by NFL teams.

• Shilo Sanders, Shedeur’s brother, expressed excitement about Trump's public defense of his brother, signaling the significance of a presidential endorsement in the sports world.

• Following the draft, Shilo Sanders was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent, leading to a thankful response from his father, Deion Sanders, who praised the team's coach.

• Deion Sanders made a personal call to Tampa Bay's general manager to express his gratitude for the opportunity given to Shilo, emphasizing the importance of fair treatment in professional sports.

• Shedeur Sanders, who completed the 2024 season with over 4,000 passing yards, will now compete for a quarterback position in Cleveland with notable players like Deshaun Watson and Joe Flacco.