Clay Travis slams Ryan Clark’s racism allegations on Shedeur Sanders citing Tom Brady’s draft fall example

The Outkick founder had a fitting response to Ryan Clark after the former NFL player accused Shedeur Sanders' critics of racism

Clay Travis slams Ryan Clark’s racism allegations on Shedeur Sanders citing Tom Brady’s draft fall example

Clay Travis responded to Ryan Clark's comments on Shedeur Sanders (Image Credits: L-via Open Source, R-via IMAGO, image in circle via IMAGO)

In the weeks leading up to the NFL Draft, the top players expected to be picked early on are constantly in the news. Their draft position keeps moving around due to several factors and the same is happening with the candidates expected to be drafted in 2025. Colorado Buffaloes’ quarterback Shedeur Sanders’ draft stock has been unstable recently.

The quarterback was expected to be a top 5 pick, then at one point, analysts deemed it likely for him to be picked first overall, and now his stock suggests that he will be a top 10 pick. The reason for such fluctuations is that teams are exploring their options at this stage and after they interviewed the candidates in the NFL Combine, and analyzed their performance, they look at how well the player would fit in with their organization.

A player’s personality can affect his stock. In the case of Shedeur Sanders, his personality has only enhanced his image. The quarterback is confident of his abilities and he has made some bold statements such as asking only teams interested in a culture change to choose him. He is being criticized and praised, as is the case with every player from this draft class.

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However, ESPN’s Ryan Clark believes from those who are questioning Shedeur’s abilities, there exist critics who are doing so because of his skin color. Ryan Clark has been an outspoken individual when it comes to speaking up for Black people’s rights and racism in sports. However, his take in this case was surprising because Sanders can be criticized just like any other player.

Fans online vehemently disagreed with Clark’s views and the founder of sports website Outkick, Clay Travis had a fitting response to the former NFL player’s comments.

Clay Travis cited Tom Brady and Brock Purdy’s examples to refute Ryan Clark’s claim

Travis responded to a post on X featuring Clark’s viral clip. “Tom Brady was drafted in the sixth round. Brock Purdy was the actual very last pick. Why? Racism.” His logic in this instance is accurate. The NFL Draft is about judging players based on their skills and what they can bring to the table. Since 2000, there have been 12 Black players picked number 1 overall. NFL franchises are clearly and obviosly not influenced by the color of a player’s skin before drafting him.

Shedeur Sanders (2)
Shedeur Sanders is projected to be a top 10 draft pick (Image via IMAGO)

Ryan Clark believes people still question Black quarterbacks in the NFL.

We all know that it’s not just about him being Deion Sanders’ son. It’s about the bravado he carries, it’s about the fact that he looks a certain way, it is about the fact that the color of his skin sometimes at that position can be questioned, and I believe Shedeur Sanders is going to have to deal with that until he gets onto the field.

Ryan Clark said

In the 2024-25 season, 15 franchises opened the season with Black quarterbacks as their starters. That was the most in NFL history. Lamar Jackson, who came close to winning the MVP was Black, the league does not consider a player’s color when drafting them or considering players for awards.

Clay Travis’ logic stands valid in such a situation. If Shedeur Sanders falling in the draft is due to racism, then does that mean that Tom Brady and Brock Purdy fell in their respective draft classes because of the same? Absolutely not. Purdy and Brady failed to impress NFL scouts, teams did not view them as skilled players who needed to be picked first, however, they went on to prove them wrong.

If Shedeur Sanders falls in the draft, it is because teams are inclined to fill other positions or do not believe he will be a fit for their franchise. Shedeur may at times get criticized more than his peers but that is because of his last name and the legacy left by his father.

LeBron James’ son Bronny James was the 55th overall pick in the draft, yet he gets more media coverage than the first overall pick of his draft class. He gets criticized more than other players, but that does not mean the ones calling him out dislike him because of his skin color.

Every player entering the draft is signing themselves up to be critiqued and the sons of star players enter the league with a heavier burden on their shoulders due to the family name and pressure to uphold the legacy. As a result, they tend to get criticized more often as well.