Apparently, the new Cleveland Browns quarterback wasn’t the only one reeling from his draft plummet
Shedeur Sanders was expected to be drafted in the first round, with many speculating he could have gone as high as in the top three.
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That didn’t happen.
Everyone assumed he would surely go the next day in the second round.
That didn’t happen.
Then the third round passed and Sanders was still on the board.
The fourth round came and went.
Sanders was still waiting.
Then finally the Browns took him in the fifth round with the 144th overall pick.
A disappointing fall for someone many presumed to be QB2 in the draft.
A fall that has apparently led to an unnamed Colorado fan filing a lawsuit against the NFL over Sanders’ draft-week free fall.
The lawsuit reads that “[r]eports 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.”
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“These slanderous comments reflect bias that influenced the NFL’s decision-making process, causing emotional distress and trauma to the Plaintiff as a fan and customer.”
The plaintiff is claiming that these actions caused “severe emotional distress and trauma to the Plaintiff, resulting in frustration, disappointment, and psychological harm as a fan.”
He is seeking quite the hefty return: (1) a “formal acknowledgement” of the emotional distress “caused by [the NFL’s] actions and statements”; (2) a “retraction of the slanderous statements,” along with an apology to Sanders; (3) implementation of “fairer practice in the drafting process to ensure that talented players are recognized and given opportunities based on merit”; and (4) $100 million in punitive damages.
Whether this lawsuit was filed in good faith is open to interpretation, as it seems to come off as a stunt.
Or a prank.
And after draft weekend, the Sanders family has probably had enough pranks to last a lifetime.
Once news of this lawsuit became public, fans online joked about who was behind it, since it was filed under ‘John Doe’.
“Probably Deion,” one fan joked on X.
“I can’t believe Mel Kiper is stooping to this level,” another fan commented.
“It’s Shiloh, isn’t it?” one more fan added.
The jokes kept rolling in.