For months leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders was projected to be one of the top names off the board. The son of NFL legend and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders had lit up college football with record-breaking performances and a sense of poise far beyond his years. His numbers were elite—14,347 passing yards, 134 touchdowns, and a 70.1% completion rate. These were not just impressive; they were historic.
Was Shedeur Sanders' draft snub racially motivated? Stephen Jackson ’s comments fuel fiery discussions
Yet, as one name after another was called on the first night of the draft, Shedeur Sanders' was absent. Not only did he go undrafted in the first round, he didn’t hear his name called until the 144th pick, when the Cleveland Browns finally took a chance on him. The football world was left stunned.
It was widely expected that Sanders would be a top-five pick. Even his father, Deion, believed his son had earned that level of recognition. But quarterbacks like Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart went ahead of him, leaving analysts and fans scrambling for answers. The stats, leadership qualities, and football IQ were all there. So what went wrong?
Online discourse quickly took shape. Some critics pointed toward his confidence, his outspokenness, and his flashy image—traits that, when displayed by Black athletes, often carry different consequences than for their white counterparts. “The NFL doesn’t like [Shedeur] Sanders because he wears gold chains and talks like a rapper,” wrote former Rep. Jamaal Bowman. “They don’t care that he’s a leader, intelligent, tough and completed 77% of his passes with no O-line and no running game. He’s entitled but Eli Manning wasn’t entitled when he refused to be drafted by San Diego?”
Bowman’s remarks struck a chord. His comparison to Eli Manning’s 2004 draft saga—where Manning refused to play for the San Diego Chargers—highlighted a perceived double standard. Manning was seen as assertive; Shedeur is labeled “entitled.” The undertone, many believe, is deeply racial.
Former ESPN analyst Ryan Clark also weighed in, suggesting that race and Sanders’ visible self-assurance may have worked against him. “America continues to fear strong Black men,” Bowman noted in agreement, echoing what many Black fans and athletes have experienced for years.
Former NBA player Stephen Jackson took to social media to voice his frustration with how Sanders—and even Shannon Sharpe—have been treated when they appear vulnerable. Though he didn’t mention Shedeur by name, the message was unmistakable. “They hate to see confident n***as,” Jackson said in a powerful video.
"When you Black and you confident, you know where you come from, you know who you are, you know what you can do, and you don't need nobody to pat you on the back to give you the confidence, they hate it. They hate it. Even our own people. Our own people be ready to kick us when we down. Shannon going through a little something. And I don't know what's going on. But look at how many of y'all happy to see Shannon go through something."
Jackson's words hit hard because they reflected a reality many Black athletes face: the fine line between confidence and perceived arrogance, especially when they aren’t conforming to expected behavior. Fans are being seen supporting this conspiracy theory.
However, it’s worth noting that 26 of the 32 players selected in the first round were Black men. And the first overall pick, Cam Ward, is also Black. This complicates the narrative and makes it clear that the issue may not be solely about race—but possibly about how race intersects with personality, image, and media narratives. NFL fans are also saying that it's not about race or color, but it's about Sanders' arrogant attitude.
Despite all the noise, the Sanders family remained gracious. While the NFL Draft broadcasts repeatedly cut to their home in Texas, Shedeur’s name remained uncalled. Yet there was no public bitterness—only faith. The family chose to post Bible verses and gratitude to God, emphasizing character over controversy.
When Shedeur was finally selected on Day 3, the family’s reaction was one of pure joy. A video of their boisterous celebration quickly went viral, capturing a moment of vindication and resilience.
The debate surrounding Shedeur Sanders’ draft slide isn’t just about football. It’s about image, identity, and how confident Black athletes are received in professional spaces. Whether or not there was a deliberate effort to devalue him remains debatable—but what’s undeniable is that Sanders now has something to prove.
He’s got the stats, the mindset, and now, the motivation. The NFL may have passed on him early, but Shedeur Sanders’ story is far from over.
Also Read: Shedeur Sanders' draft celebration takes twist after his mother’s emotional decision on Instagram
Was Shedeur Sanders' draft snub racially motivated? Stephen Jackson ’s comments fuel fiery discussions
Yet, as one name after another was called on the first night of the draft, Shedeur Sanders' was absent. Not only did he go undrafted in the first round, he didn’t hear his name called until the 144th pick, when the Cleveland Browns finally took a chance on him. The football world was left stunned.
It was widely expected that Sanders would be a top-five pick. Even his father, Deion, believed his son had earned that level of recognition. But quarterbacks like Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart went ahead of him, leaving analysts and fans scrambling for answers. The stats, leadership qualities, and football IQ were all there. So what went wrong?
Online discourse quickly took shape. Some critics pointed toward his confidence, his outspokenness, and his flashy image—traits that, when displayed by Black athletes, often carry different consequences than for their white counterparts. “The NFL doesn’t like [Shedeur] Sanders because he wears gold chains and talks like a rapper,” wrote former Rep. Jamaal Bowman. “They don’t care that he’s a leader, intelligent, tough and completed 77% of his passes with no O-line and no running game. He’s entitled but Eli Manning wasn’t entitled when he refused to be drafted by San Diego?”
Bowman’s remarks struck a chord. His comparison to Eli Manning’s 2004 draft saga—where Manning refused to play for the San Diego Chargers—highlighted a perceived double standard. Manning was seen as assertive; Shedeur is labeled “entitled.” The undertone, many believe, is deeply racial.
Former ESPN analyst Ryan Clark also weighed in, suggesting that race and Sanders’ visible self-assurance may have worked against him. “America continues to fear strong Black men,” Bowman noted in agreement, echoing what many Black fans and athletes have experienced for years.
Former NBA player Stephen Jackson took to social media to voice his frustration with how Sanders—and even Shannon Sharpe—have been treated when they appear vulnerable. Though he didn’t mention Shedeur by name, the message was unmistakable. “They hate to see confident n***as,” Jackson said in a powerful video.
"When you Black and you confident, you know where you come from, you know who you are, you know what you can do, and you don't need nobody to pat you on the back to give you the confidence, they hate it. They hate it. Even our own people. Our own people be ready to kick us when we down. Shannon going through a little something. And I don't know what's going on. But look at how many of y'all happy to see Shannon go through something."
Jackson's words hit hard because they reflected a reality many Black athletes face: the fine line between confidence and perceived arrogance, especially when they aren’t conforming to expected behavior. Fans are being seen supporting this conspiracy theory.
However, it’s worth noting that 26 of the 32 players selected in the first round were Black men. And the first overall pick, Cam Ward, is also Black. This complicates the narrative and makes it clear that the issue may not be solely about race—but possibly about how race intersects with personality, image, and media narratives. NFL fans are also saying that it's not about race or color, but it's about Sanders' arrogant attitude.
Despite all the noise, the Sanders family remained gracious. While the NFL Draft broadcasts repeatedly cut to their home in Texas, Shedeur’s name remained uncalled. Yet there was no public bitterness—only faith. The family chose to post Bible verses and gratitude to God, emphasizing character over controversy.
When Shedeur was finally selected on Day 3, the family’s reaction was one of pure joy. A video of their boisterous celebration quickly went viral, capturing a moment of vindication and resilience.
The debate surrounding Shedeur Sanders’ draft slide isn’t just about football. It’s about image, identity, and how confident Black athletes are received in professional spaces. Whether or not there was a deliberate effort to devalue him remains debatable—but what’s undeniable is that Sanders now has something to prove.
He’s got the stats, the mindset, and now, the motivation. The NFL may have passed on him early, but Shedeur Sanders’ story is far from over.
Also Read: Shedeur Sanders' draft celebration takes twist after his mother’s emotional decision on Instagram
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