- NFL. Shedeur Sanders begins his unique 'Squid Game' with the Cleveland Browns and Dillon Gabriel will be his first enemy to eliminate
- NFL. The fire between Shedeur Sanders and the Giants is not extinguished: new details of the harsh confrontation come to light
In a surprising twist following the 2025 NFL Draft, a Colorado-based football fan has filed a $100 million lawsuit against the NFL, citing emotional distress after Shedeur Sanders, son of NFL legend Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders, slid to the fifth round.
The plaintiff, who has chosen to remain anonymous and is listed as "John Doe," claims the NFL orchestrated an intentional smear campaign to harm Sanders' draft stock, causing the fan significant psychological trauma.
Shedeur Sanders was long expected to be one of the top picks in the 2025 Draft. However, he wasn't selected until the 144th overall pick by the Cleveland Browns, a dramatic fall that stunned many analysts and fans alike. He now s a QB room in Cleveland that features Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel.
For Doe, this was more than just a disappointing draft moment-it was a personal crisis. According to his legal filing, the emotional fallout from Sanders' drop led to stress, anxiety, and ongoing distress, prompting him to seek damages in the amount of $100 million.
Lawsuit claims NFL bias and media manipulation
The lawsuit accuses the NFL of multiple legal violations, including breaking antitrust laws, breaching civil rights protections, and engaging in deceptive business practices. Doe argues that league insiders and d media deliberately portrayed Sanders in a negative light, labeling him as "arrogant" and "uncoachable."
These narratives, he claims, were racially charged and part of a wider effort to sabotage Sanders' image and career potential.
In addition to financial compensation, the plaintiff is demanding a formal apology from the NFL, as well as the implementation of new policies to ensure fairness and transparency in future draft processes.
Before the draft, Shedeur Sanders had garnered widespread attention as a top quarterback prospect. However, as draft day approached, reports began circulating-many from unnamed sources-questioning his leadership and professionalism.
Some analysts speculated that these criticisms were unfairly amplified by the media and may have influenced teams to on him.
During his final season in Colorado, Sanders finished with 4,134 ing yards, 37 ing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, four rushing touchdowns and a 74 percent completion percentage.
In response to the controversy, Sanders himself has brushed off the criticism, calling much of the media-driven narrative "fool's gold." Despite the setback, he expressed confidence in proving his value on the field with the Cleveland Browns.
While legal experts widely regard the lawsuit as lacking merit and unlikely to succeed, it has ignited broader conversations around the role of media narratives in shaping draft outcomes. Though the case may not result in a courtroom victory, it underscores the growing scrutiny facing the NFL and its handling of young athletes' public perception.