When quarterback Shedeur Sanders slid to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, many football fans were left shocked that the much-hyped University of Colorado product was passed over time and again.
Now one fan is suing the NFL for $100 million, alleging he suffered severe emotional distress and trauma watching Sanders drop to the final day of the draft until he was finally picked by the Cleveland Browns with the No. 144 pick.
In a lawsuit filed this week, “John Doe” of Georgia says NFL teams colluded to influence the drafting process of Sanders through reports and leaked statements that suggested Sanders “tanked interviews,” “wasn’t prepared,” and was “too cocky.” The plaintiff alleges the NFL violated Sanders’ rights as a player by making decisions that may have been influenced by racial discrimination. The league may have engaged in unfair practices by misrepresenting the nature of the drafting process and the qualifications of players, the lawsuit further alleges.
The NFL’s actions and the release of slanderous statements against Sanders caused emotional distress and trauma to the plaintiff, resulting in frustration, disappointment, and psychological harm as a fan and consumer, the lawsuit says.
The plaintiff identifies himself as a dedicated fan of Colorado football who closely followed Sanders’ two seasons with the Buffaloes in 2023 and 2024.
Sanders followed his coach-father, NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, to Colorado after beginning his career at Jackson State, a historically black college in Mississippi. Sanders finished his college career with 50 games played and threw for 14,353 yards and 134 touchdowns with 27 interceptions. Sanders threw a touchdown pass in 49 straight games, the longest streak in FBS history.
The plaintiff says he witnessed firsthand “Sanders’ exceptional talent and potential” when he attended a Colorado game against the TCU Horned Frogs in 2023.
The lawsuit alleges the NFL violated the Sherman Antitrust Act, the Civil Rights Act, and consumer protection laws.
In addition to punitive damages of $100 million, the plaintiff 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.
- Implementation of fairer practices in the drafting process to ensure that talented players are recognized and given opportunities based on merit.
Topics Lawsuits
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