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NFL Rookie Star Thanks Trump For His Support After Draft Slide
NFL rookie superstar Shedeur Sanders thanked President Donald Trump for coming to his defense as he was undergoing an unprecedented draft slide last month.
Sanders, the former University of Colorado star and son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the NFL Draft last month. The 23-year-old quarterback was widely projected to be selected in the first round, perhaps even within the first few picks of the draft, making his astonishing slide to the fifth round the story of the draft.
As Sanders remained on the board, Trump had harsh words for “stupid” NFL owners who were opting not to take a chance on Sanders.
“What is wrong with NFL owners, are they STUPID? Deion Sanders was a great college football player, and was even greater in the NFL. He’s also a very good coach, streetwise and smart!” the president wrote in an April 25 Truth Social post. “Therefore, Shedeur, his quarterback son, has PHENOMENAL GENES, and is all set for Greatness. He should be ‘picked’ IMMEDIATELY by a team that wants to WIN. Good luck Shedeur, and say hello to your wonderful father!”
Shedeur Sanders during his time with the Jackson State Tigers
Photo: 2C2K Photography
Sanders addressed Trump’s social media post while meeting with reporters at rookie minicamp practice with the Browns on Saturday.
“I was truly thankful for it,” he said. “Including him, there were a lot of fans, a lot of people in barbershops, a lot of hairstylists. A lot of fans of me, my craft and my family that were there in support. I was thankful that I have that foundation.”
Sanders is expected to compete for the starting quarterback position in Cleveland ahead of the upcoming NFL season. The Browns also selected Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel at 94th overall, making Sanders the fifth quarterback on the roster, which also includes veterans Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco and Deshaun Watson.
In a recent interview with conservative commentator Hugh Hewitt, Trump was asked what motivated him to publicly defend Sanders during the draft slide. “His father is a big Trump fan, and I like it when people are Trump fans. His father has said great things about me over the years,” the president said.
“No 2, genetics. He has good genes for a football player. I watched him play for a little bit, and I thought he was a really talented quarterback. I like his gene pool, and I like his talent. I really think he’s going to do well. I just felt they treated him really badly.”
