Deion Sanders hinted at some “behind-the-scenes” drama involving Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders ahead of his first start.
Sanders’ NFL journey has been anything but straightforward. After a standout college career at Jackson State and Colorado that once had him projected as an early first-round pick, he slipped to the fifth round, where the Browns selected him at No. 144.
Sanders has had to gradually work his way up the depth chart and will get his first starting shot on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders. It comes with fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel — a third-round pick and the former starter — sidelined with a concussion.
“I know the fight behind the fight,” Deion Sanders said Tuesday during a press conference. “I know what’s been transpiring behind the curtains, and I’m just proud of him. Because he’s not just saying the right things, he’s doing and living the right things. That’s just who he is. … He’s a Sanders.”
Coach Prime continued, “I know some stuff behind the curtain, so I offer him not just on-the-field advice, off-the-field advice, life advice, because he’s going through a lot. A lot of stuff is coming at him and he’s doing a great job. Thank God that God prepared him for everything he’s dealing with. I think a lesser man would’ve crumbled. But he’s been built for this.”
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Only Focused on Start
Deion Sanders said he’s uncertain if he’ll attend Shedeur’s first NFL start. His Colorado Buffaloes play Arizona State in Boulder on Saturday.
“I’m so focused on what we have at hand,” the coach said. “I’m not thinking about that, although I just got off the phone with him.”
Shedeur expressed a similar sentiment when asked if his dad would be in attendance.
“Quite honestly, right now I’m not even like, I don’t know. I don’t know,” Shedeur said on Wednesday. “I’m so focused on what I’m doing, I don’t even be talking too many people right now.”
Shedeur said his phone has been going off the hook with many asking if he’s alright following the robbery at his home over the weekend.
“If you want to talk, just pull up on me and then we can talk from there. But other than that, I ain’t trying to. I don’t even check my phone,” Shedeur said. “Too many people have been texting me, ‘are you okay?’ Yes, I’m fine. I didn’t get robbed; my house did.”
Shedeur Sanders Wants to Make Statement in First Start
Sanders saw his first regular season NFL action last week, stepping in for Gabriel at the half. It didn’t go well. He completed just four passes for 47 yards with an interception during a 23-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Sanders acknowledged his poor play but feels like this week will be a different story with a full week of preparation and his first reps with the starting offense under his belt.
“I know our fans have a lot of expectations and hope, and I would be doing a disservice to myself and disservice to the organization if I didn’t feel like I am the guy,” Sanders said. “I’m doing everything I need to prepare to be the best version of myself as possible. With the circumstances, everything got me sped up, and that’s great – you know, I like pressure in life. I’m just excited for everything. So, I feel like I’m the guy, I know I’m the guy, but you just have to be able to see.”
The Browns are a four-point underdog against the Raiders, per ESPN BET.
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