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Shedeur Sanders has turned to faith and prayer amidst a controversial slide in the NFL Draft that has drawn significant attention.
His supporters, however, have sparked a passionate dialogue regarding the potential implications of race on Sanders’ draft experience.
ESPN host Stephen A. Smith ignited this conversation by sharing a message from an associate who likened Sanders’ situation to Colin Kaepernick’s ongoing absence from the NFL since 2016, stemming from his protests during the national anthem. Smith expressed agreement with this sentiment on social media.
“This is a bad look for the NFL. This feels like Kaepernick-level collusion,” Smith quoted, emphasizing that the matter transcends mere “talent evaluation.”
“The extensive efforts by the NFL to combat these kinds of perceptions seem undermined when the OWNERS appear to be in collusion. What has happened to Shedeur will overshadow the rest of this draft, and suspicion surrounding talent evaluation will linger,” he added.
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Shedeur Sanders, quarterback for the Colorado Buffaloes, was spotted warming up ahead of the Rocky Mountain Showdown against the CSU Rams.
Earlier, Smith elaborated, suggesting the situation mirrors Kaepernick’s case in “a different way.”
In response, Barstool founder Dave Portnoy challenged Smith’s viewpoint, labeling it as “insane” and indicative of a “race take.” Portnoy, while affirming his admiration for Deion Sanders, Shedeur’s father, pointed out that the first quarterback chosen was Cam Ward from Miami, who is also Black.
“This is insane. All these race-related assumptions are ludicrous. I love Deion, and I’ve stated for two years that Shedeur would be my top QB choice. NFL executives and team owners are fiercely competitive. The league is cutthroat, and there’s no collusion here,” Portnoy contended.
“If teams believed Shedeur could help them win more than other available quarterbacks, he would have been drafted. That’s the bottom line. Any other narrative is pure fantasy.”
Debate surrounding this topic has spread into broader political discussions.
Before Sanders fell past the second and third rounds, former Congressman Jamaal Bowman bluntly claimed that Sanders’ drop was due to “America’s ongoing fear of strong Black men.”
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“The NFL does not favor [Shedeur] Sanders because of his demeanor and style. They overlook his leadership and prowess, as he completed 77% of his passes with a struggling offensive line and a lack of running support. Yet, Eli Manning faced no backlash for rejecting a draft opportunity,” Bowman asserted on social media.
“While he may not fit the typical athletic mold, that did not hinder legends like Joe Montana or Tom Brady. America tends to fear confident Black men who come from privilege and do not conform to mainstream expectations.”
Despite Bowman’s claims, a community note on his post pointed out that the first selections of the last three drafts featured Black quarterbacks.
Conservative filmmaker Matt Walsh responded derisively to Bowman’s comments, sharing Bowman’s video with a sarcastic remark.
ESPN radio host Peter Rosenberg also weighed in, asserting that race plays a role in Sanders’ draft situation. “Many white individuals may not grasp the significance of race in this context. The historical relationship between America and outspoken Black athletes influences perceptions today. Although it may not directly factor into Sanders’ case, this contextual reality remains,” he wrote.
In a more pointed critique, fTNT Sports host suggested that the New York Giants overlooked Sanders in favor of Jaxson Dart due to an aversion to Black quarterbacks. “The Giants have a documented history of avoiding Black QBs. They certainly were not inclined to draft a quarterback with Sanders’ assertive personality,” Becton stated.
However, Becton’s assertion was challenged by a community note highlighting that the Giants currently have two Black quarterbacks on their roster.
Conservative influencer Robbie Starbuck refuted the idea that Sanders’ draft slide was racially motivated. “Shedeur Sanders may prove to be a phenomenal player, and teams may regret their decisions, but attributing his lack of selection to racism is misguided. The first overall pick was a Black quarterback, and the league’s top QB is also biracial. Teams prioritize winning over narratives,” Starbuck emphasized.
The Sanders family has not publicized concerns about race, instead opting to share messages of gratitude and faith. After Sanders was eventually chosen, they released a video capturing the joy of their celebration.
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