A fan is claiming to have 100 million reasons to be upset over Shedeur Sanders’ shocking slide in the NFL draft last month.
John Doe, a Sanders supporter, is suing the NFL for $100 million, citing “emotional distress and trauma” caused by the league’s alleged collusive practices and damaging comments about the former Colorado quarterback. Sanders unexpectedly dropped to the Browns at No. 144 in the fifth round, according to court documents obtained by The Post.
In a legal filing submitted last week, the plaintiff—who is described as a “devoted fan of Colorado football” and a close follower of Sanders through the 2023 and 2024 seasons—claims that “reports and leaked statements” painted Sanders as someone who “tanked interviews,” “wasn’t prepared,” and “was too cocky.” These allegations, according to the suit, contributed to a negative narrative that unfairly damaged his reputation and hurt his prospects as a player.
The plaintiff argues that the NFL has violated the Sherman Antitrust Act, claiming “collusion among NFL teams to manipulate the draft process,” with Sanders’ low selection being part of a conspiracy to “restrain trade and limit competition within the league.”
Furthermore, the lawsuit contends that the NFL violated the Civil Rights Act, suggesting that “racial discrimination may have influenced the decisions regarding Sanders,” thereby infringing on his rights as a player.
Shedeur Sanders was regarded as the most polarizing prospect in this year’s draft class.
In addition to the nine-figure “punitive damages,” Doe is seeking “a formal acknowledgment from the NFL of the emotional distress caused by their actions and statements,” “a retraction of the slanderous remarks made about Shedeur Sanders, along with an apology for the damage to his reputation,” and the “implementation of fairer practices in the draft process to ensure that talented players are recognized and given opportunities based on merit.”
A spokesperson for the league did not respond to The Independent’s request for comment.
Sanders, the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, was seen as the most polarizing prospect in the 2025 draft class.
Shedeur Sanders is the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders.
The former Buffaloes star was reported to have rubbed some teams the wrong way at the NFL Scouting Combine in February, with an NBC Sports report claiming he “came off as unprofessional and disinterested.”
As the draft neared, analysts and experts had difficulty predicting where Sanders would land, with quarterback-needy teams like the Giants, Saints, and Steelers seen as potential destinations.
However, all those teams passed on Sanders and instead selected quarterbacks Jaxson Dart (Giants, No. 25), Tyler Shough (Saints, No. 40), and Will Howard (Steelers, No. 185).
Sanders, drafted by the Browns after they picked former Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel at No. 94, told reporters in late April that he’s “ready to work.”
“The opportunity to show the real me, not just things that might not be true,” Sanders said.
He and Gabriel now join a crowded Browns quarterback room that also includes veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett.
