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One fan claims they have 100 million reasons to be upset over Shedeur Sanders’ stunning free fall in last month’s NFL draft.
A Sanders supporter identified as John Doe is suing the league for $100 million due to the “emotional distress and trauma suffered as a result of the NFL’s collusive practices and the harmful statements made regarding” the ex-Colorado quarterback, who shockingly slid to the Browns at No. 144 in the fifth round, according to court documents viewed by The Post.
In the court filing submitted last week, the plaintiff — described as a “dedicated fan of Colorado football and has closely followed Shedeur Sanders throughout the 2023 and 2024 seasons” — alleges “reports and leaked statements suggested that Sanders ‘tanked interviews,’ ‘wasn’t prepared,’ and ‘was too cocky,’ which contributed to a narrative that has unjustly harmed his reputation and potential as a player.”
Doe claims “these slanderous statements reflect biases that influenced the NFL’s decision-making process,” which in turn have caused “emotional distress and trauma to the Plaintiff as a fan and consumer.”
The plaintiff believes the NFL is in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act, alleging “collusion among NFL teams to influence the drafting process and the subsequent low selection of Shedeur Sanders constitutes a conspiracy to restrain trade and limit competition within the league.”
Additionally, the lawsuit states the league violated the Civil Rights Act by claiming “the decisions made regarding Sanders may have been influenced by racial discrimination, violating his rights as a player.”
Beyond the nine-figure sum in “punitive damages,” Doe seeks “a formal acknowledgment from the NFL regarding the emotional distress caused by their actions and statements,” “a retraction of the slanderous statements made about Shedeur Sanders, along with an apology for any harm caused to his reputation,” as well as an “implementation of fairer practices in the drafting process to ensure that talented players are recognized and given opportunities based on merit.”
A league spokesperson did not respond to The Independent’s request for comment.
Sanders, the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, was considered the most polarizing prospect of the 2025 class.
The former Buffaloes star was said to have rubbed some teams the wrong way at the NFL Scouting Combine in February, with an NBC Sports report alleging he “came off as unprofessional and disinterested.”
As the draft approached, analysts and experts struggled to pinpoint where Sanders would land with the quarterback-needy Giants, Saints and Steelers identified as possible destinations.
All those clubs passed on Sanders and instead drafted quarterbacks Jaxson Dart (Giants, No. 25), Tyler Shough (Saints, No. 40) and Will Howard (Steelers, No. 185).
Sanders, who was drafted by the Browns after they selected former Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel at No. 94, told reporters in late April he’s “ready to work.”
“The opportunity to see the real me and not stuff that might not be true,” Sanders said.
He and Gabriel join a crowded Browns QB room that includes veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett.
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