Browns' Shedeur Sanders reveals biggest challenge of dad Deion's cancer battle

Shedeur Sanders is in a battle to make the Cleveland Browns and earn a spot as high up the quarterback depth chart as he can.

But through that, he has dealt with the fact that his father Deion has been battling bladder cancer.

Shedeur spoke to the media Monday for the first time since Deion shared what he's been going through.

The Browns rookie was asked what the biggest challenge has been.

“I would say (the biggest thing) is definitely staying focused mentally,” Shedeur said, via The Athletic. “Dad, he’s one person that he’ll handle his. We’ll handle what we have to do. It was something that we really didn’t need to have a formal conversation about because (Deion) was like, ‘Y’all need to focus on what y’all need to focus on. Y’all can’t sit here and feel sorry for me.'”

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Deion is now back coaching at the University of Colorado.

Shedeur missed time over the weekend with an arm injury but is back on the field.

The fifth-round pick shared with reporters that he hears his father's voice in his head when he's getting after it.

“I always hear my dad’s voice in my mind all the time,” Sanders said. “With him, it’s always ‘bone or blood’ — his motto. … So of course I was definitely hearing his voice in the back of my head, but at the end of the day, I want to be productive. I want to give you guys the best work, and I want to be at my best at all times.”

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Sanders is part of a crowded quarterback room that includes Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and newly signed Tyler Huntley.

It won't be easy for the Colorado product to make his mark in the NFL after his draft slide to pick No. 144. 

But with his father having set the example and having sent messages that have stuck with Shedeur, he's giving it his best shot.

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