Shedeur Sanders responds to Trump ripping NFL teams for QB’s draft fall

Shedeur Sanders appreciated President Donald Trump’s kind words as he fell in the NFL draft late last month. 

After the former Colorado quarterback and son of Deion Sanders fell out of the first round, Trump blasted teams for passing on him in a Truth Social post in which the commander in chief praised his father and called out the NFL owners who let Sanders slide.

“What is wrong with NFL owners, are they STUPID?” Trump wrote on April 25. “Deion Sanders was a great college football player, and was even greater in the NFL. He’s also a very good coach, streetwise and smart! Therefore, Shedeur, his quarterback son, has PHENOMENAL GENES, and is all set for Greatness. He should be “picked” IMMEDIATELY by a team that wants to WIN. Good luck Shedeur, and say hello to your wonderful father!”

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) speaks at a news conference during the NFL football team’s rookie minicamp in Berea, Ohio, Saturday, May 10, 2025. AP

Sanders addressed Trump’s social media post while meeting with reporters at rookie minicamp practice with the Browns on Saturday. 

“I was truly thankful for it,” he said. “Including him, there were a lot of fans, a lot of people in barbershops, a lot of hairstylists. A lot of fans of me, my craft and my family that were there in support. I was thankful that I have that foundation.”

Sanders’ slide was one of the biggest stories of this year’s draft. 

Projected as a potential top-three pick, Sanders wasn’t taken until the fifth round of the draft after Cleveland traded up to take him 144th overall. 

President Donald Trump couldn’t believe how far Shedeur Sanders fell in the NFL draft. AP

He is expected to compete for the starting job in a crowded Browns quarterback room. 

Cleveland added Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel at 94th overall, making Sanders the fifth quarterback on the roster, which also includes Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco and Deshaun Watson.

Sanders took second in quarterback reps behind Gabriel on Friday, although Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski downplayed its significance.