Fan Files $100 Million Lawsuit Against NFL Over Shedeur Sanders' Draft Position

A dedicated fan of Shedeur Sanders has taken the NFL to court, filing a staggering $100 million lawsuit after the quarterback was selected lower than anticipated in the NFL draft.

Shedeur, 23, was picked by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the NFL draft on April 26. This decision left the fan, who remains anonymous and is referred to as “John Doe,” feeling “immediate frustration” and experiencing “emotional distress and trauma” as a result of the selection not happening earlier, according to a report from The Independent on May 5.

The 55-year-old fan, who is representing himself in this legal battle, expressed his feelings in the lawsuit, stating, “This guy was projected to be the first or second pick, no later than the top five, and to watch mediocre players be chosen before him… it was frustrating.” Doe further elaborated, “And to have all the NFL owners collude and not draft him, it was mentally frustrating and debilitating. For them to believe that they can just do this and there’s no recourse, it has to stop.”

In his filing, Doe claimed that the NFL violated the Sherman Antitrust Act, alleging that team owners conspired to manipulate the drafting process, thereby restraining trade and limiting competition within the league. He emphasized that he has no personal connection to Shedeur, yet felt compelled to take action against what he perceives as an injustice.

Shedeur Sanders, a former quarterback for the University of Colorado, Boulder, and the son of football icon Deion Sanders, was a hot topic during this year’s NFL Draft. Despite the buzz surrounding him, he was not selected in the first round, and it wasn’t until the fifth round that his name was finally called.

Before the draft, Deion Sanders, 57, expressed his surprise at his son’s lower-than-expected selection. He took to social media, quoting scripture: “My bible says God uses the foolish things to confound the wise & he chose the weak things of the world that he may put to shame the strong! Please know God ain’t done & God is just really getting started. Enjoy this lesson & stop stressing. #CoachPrime.”

Shedeur himself acknowledged that his family “didn’t expect this” outcome, sharing his thoughts from their home in Texas, where they opted to watch the draft together instead of attending the event in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

After Shedeur was drafted by the Browns, a 2018 social media post from Deion resurfaced, in which he criticized the team. “I love what the Browns have done this offseason, but if I’m a young QB, ain’t no way I’m going to Cleveland. I would pull a ELI MANNING if possible,” Deion had tweeted, adding the hashtag “#Truth.” This reference was to Eli Manning, who famously refused to play for the San Diego Chargers after being selected as the No. 1 draft pick in 2004, leading to his trade to the New York Giants.

Earlier this year, Shedeur also made headlines when he was involved in a prank phone call orchestrated by Jax Ulbrich, the son of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. Jax, 21, pretended to be a member of the New Orleans Saints, offering Shedeur a fake spot on the team. Following the prank, Jax publicly apologized on Instagram on April 27, but both he and his father faced fines from the NFL as a result of the incident.

This lawsuit has sparked conversations about the pressures and expectations placed on young athletes, as well as the dynamics of the NFL draft process. As the case unfolds, it will be interesting to see how the legal system addresses the claims made by this passionate fan.