Deion Sanders Slams ‘Foolish’ Reports About Shedeur’s NFL Professionalism

By Jason Bolton June 11, 2025 10:09

The NFL draft process can be grueling and unforgiving, but few stories captured the drama of the 2025 draft quite like the unexpected slide of Shedeur Sanders, former Colorado quarterback and son of NFL legend and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders. Once projected as a first-round pick, Shedeur’s fall to the fifth round and selection by the Cleveland Browns sparked widespread speculation about his preparation and professionalism during pre-draft meetings. In response, Deion Sanders has forcefully rejected these claims, calling many of the reports “foolish” and urging critics to stop spreading falsehoods.

Deion addressed the controversy in a candid interview on the “Say What Needs To Be Said” podcast with former NFL cornerback Asante Samuel. He expressed how deeply the narratives hurt him personally, saying, “It did hurt,” but also cited biblical inspiration to frame the adversity: “The Bible says God uses foolish things to confound the wise.” Deion emphasized that Shedeur’s draft slide, while painful, became a source of motivation for his family.

The crux of the criticism centered on allegations that Shedeur entered NFL team meetings unprepared and, more shockingly, that he wore headphones during interviews an act widely viewed as disrespectful and unprofessional. Deion vehemently denied these claims: “When you say he went into a meeting unprepared, like, dude. Shedeur Sanders? He’s had six different offensive coordinators and has still functioned and leveled up every time we brought somebody new in. You’re going to tell me he was unprepared?” He continued, “You’re telling me he had on headphones? Anyone who knows my son understands he’s a professional. He wouldn’t go into a meeting with headphones on. Y’all, come on now.”

These comments highlight the disconnect between some media narratives and the reality Deion knows about his son’s work ethic and character. While some NFL insiders did note that Shedeur’s interview performances varied excelling in some and struggling in others Deion insists the negative portrayals were exaggerated or outright fabricated.

Shedeur’s draft tumble was one of the most talked-about stories of the 2025 NFL Draft. Initially rated as the second-best quarterback prospect behind eventual No. 1 pick Cam Ward, his fall to the fifth round surprised many analysts and fans. Some reports suggested that NFL teams were hesitant due to concerns about Deion Sanders’ influence or the possibility of him replacing a head coach if Shedeur underperformed, adding a layer of complexity to the evaluation process.

Despite the controversy, Shedeur has moved forward with professionalism. In his first media session with the Browns, he stated, “My objective isn’t to prove others wrong. It’s to validate myself.” Currently, Shedeur is competing for the starting quarterback job against veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, as well as fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel.

Deion’s defense of his son underscores a broader message about fairness and respect. “All you need to do is listen, but people choose not to,” he said. “They prefer to fabricate narratives and stories and pin them on a kid who has never done anything wrong.”

In a draft process often filled with speculation and rumor, Deion Sanders’ passionate response serves as a reminder to separate fact from fiction and to recognize the resilience required to overcome public scrutiny. Whether Shedeur’s NFL career will ultimately silence the doubters remains to be seen, but the Sanders family’s resolve is unmistakable.