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As the son of an NFL Hall of Famer and a standout college quarterback, Shedeur Sanders has never been far from the spotlight. But with the fame has come a wave of criticism.
Now, the former University of Colorado and current Cleveland Browns star has shared his thoughts on why he believes he's been the target of so much negativity.
In a recent appearance on the "Million Dollaz Worth of Game" podcast, Sanders offered a candid take on the public response he often receives. According to the Browns quarterback, there's more to the backlash than just football.
"It's a lot of hate," Sanders said. "And it really don't got nothing to do - like, obviously I could play football. That's not the question."
Sanders believes the animosity directed at him stems from his lifestyle and public persona, not his performance on the field. "It's just who I am. It's just the way we do things. They never seen it before, so it's like, they don't understand. They can't understand it," he explained.
Navigating fame, family and football
The scrutiny Sanders faces is arguably compounded by his famous lineage. As the son of Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders, Shedeur has been in the limelight for years. With his father coaching the Colorado Buffaloes, the dynamic brings both unique and heightened expectations.
Despite the criticism, Sanders has posted impressive numbers during his college career. In the 2023 season, he threw for over 3,200 yards with 27 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions before a late-season injury sidelined him. Those stats helped solidify his status as one of college football's top quarterback prospects heading into 2025.
Yet much of the public discourse about Sanders focuses less on his stats and more on his off-field persona. His social media presence, luxury watches, and unapologetically confident demeanor have become lightning rods for critics who claim he's too flashy or self-absorbed. Sanders, however, doesn't plan to change.
"They can't relate to it. So whenever somebody can't relate to something, especially in the position that I'm in, it's not like I'm bothering anybody. I don't talk about nobody, I don't degrade anybody-none of that," he said. "I stay in my own lane, and I just do me."
Sanders added, "But whenever you shining and it's just you being you, they don't like that. That's the thing that's crazy. You could not do nothing and still be hated."
These comments underscore how challenging it can be for young athletes to maintain authenticity while navigating public scrutiny in the age of social media.
Looking ahead, Sanders is expected to be a major storyline in the 2025 college football season and could even be a first-round pick in the NFL Draft. But as he prepares for what's likely to be his final college season, it's clear that he's focused on doing things his way.
Whether you love him or hate him, Shedeur Sanders isn't changing to make others more comfortable. And in his eyes, that's exactly the problem.