Shedeur Sanders Apologizes to His Father While Downplaying Strong Preseason Debut

Shedeur Sanders has a long way to go to better the draft slide, and he posted graceful numbers in the first chance he’s had to shine.

Shedeur Sanders Apologizes to His Father While Downplaying Strong Preseason Debut

Deion Sanders and Shedeur Sanders (Image via AP)

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Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders made a promising start to his NFL career on Friday night with a win over the Carolina Panthers in the team’s first game of the preseason. Shedeur Sanders’ post-game comments made almost as many headlines as his performance.

Starting for the Cleveland Browns in their preseason opener against the Panthers, Sanders completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions before exiting in the third quarter. Despite the stat line, the 22-year-old downplayed his debut in an interview with NFL Network. It’s almost like a trend with the leading quarterbacks.

Sorry pops. I didn’t do what I was supposed to do fully. But, you know, we’ll live to see another opportunity.

Shedeur Sanders said

His father, Pro Football Hall of Famer and current Colorado head coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders, was tweeting praise while watching from home. The younger Sanders’ public apology caught fans off guard, given it was his first appearance at the professional level.

Sanders played under his father for four seasons, first at Jackson State and then at Colorado. Their close football relationship has been a focal point of his development.

The Browns turned to Sanders on Friday night with Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel both sidelined by hamstring injuries. Veteran Joe Flacco, expected to start when the regular season begins, watched from the sidelines.

Sanders showed poise early, leading a pair of scoring drives and displaying good pocket movement against Carolina’s first-team defense. His touchdowns came on a 12-yard strike in the second quarter and a well-placed throw in the red zone during the third. He avoided turnovers and was not sacked, though he acknowledged areas to improve.

I missed some reads and some throws I should have made. That’s what preseason is for — to clean those things up.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski declined to discuss how the outing might affect the team’s quarterback depth chart, but Sanders’ performance is likely to earn him a longer look in practice this week. The rookie had been listed last on the depth chart earlier in the week, behind Flacco, Pickett, and Gabriel.

Shedeur Sanders had an altercation with a reporter in another incident on Friday

Fresh off that performance, rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders had more than just football on his mind as he left the field Friday night. In the tunnels of Bank of America Stadium, Sanders spotted Cleveland-based reporter and radio host Tony Grossi and decided to address what he felt was an overly negative tone in Grossi’s coverage.

Shedeur Sanders
Shedeur Sanders (Image via SI)

With a grin, Sanders walked up and delivered his thoughts directly.

Tony, I be hoping you have something positive to say about me. You only say negative stuff about me. And I’m like, ‘I ain’t do nothing to you.’

Shedeur Sanders can be heard in a video posted by Well Off Media

Then, still smiling, he followed up with a subtle quip, “Come on, what I do? What’d I do to you, Tony?”

It wasn’t Sanders’ first time addressing a perceived critic in public. Back in 2024, while still quarterbacking the Colorado Buffaloes, he famously approached Colorado State Rams’ Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi after a 43-35 win, and declined to shake his hand.

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