Shedeur Sanders’ Father Defends Pro Bowl Nod Against Fan-Favorite Narrative

Rookie QB Shedeur Sanders is a first-time Pro Bowler despite playing in just seven games for the Cleveland Browns.

Shedeur Sanders’ Father Defends Pro Bowl Nod Against Fan-Favorite Narrative

Deion and Shedeur Sanders (Image via Imago/Cleveland Browns/X)

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Up until a week ago, everyone who discussed Shedeur Sanders‘ progress believed the Cleveland Browns quarterback was a couple of years’ worth of development away from being a standout starter.

He did show flashes of brilliance in the seven games he played in his rookie season. But now that he has to work with a new head coach, his progression will take a bit longer than expected.

No wonder fans were left stunned by the news that the NFL had sent the 23-year-old a Pro Bowl invitation. Those baffled felt that this was purely a marketing move, as Sanders’ stats looked pale in comparison to other AFC QBs.

My son did something I didn’t do. He made the Pro Bowl in his first year… Most people don’t know that the major percentage is from the coaches and the players. Then the fans get a smaller percentage of votes, like 40-40-20… It’s not just a fan thing.

Deion Sanders said on We Got Time Today

The Hall of Famer clarified this, as he believed those criticizing the NFL for selecting his son do not know the process that goes into finalizing the Pro Bowlers.

The All-Pro, which is decided through a proper vote, still falls under the Associated Press. The Pro Bowl has many more variables, which makes it difficult for the league to engineer the end result.

Of course, the NFL can find creative ways to get what it wants, as many have argued they openly do, especially with officiating. However, Deion Sanders believes his son earned the call on merit.

Shedeur Sanders got the Pro Bowl call while in Paris

Fans and members of the media are still trying to wrap their heads around the fact that Shedeur Sanders will earn a Pro Bowl stripe in a couple of days. The news was so surprising that it seems the Browns’ QB was not ready for it.

Shedeur Sanders with Young Fans at Pro Bowl practice
Shedeur Sanders with young fans at Pro Bowl practice (Image via Cleveland Browns/X)

Eat a cake in the middle of the street in Paris. Look, I got a whole cake, walking, I’m on stream with Shilo… Boom, phone call, ‘Hey, you got a chance to go to the Pro Bowl.’ How better could life get?

Shedeur Sanders told Overtime

It seems the Colorado Buffaloes star was not anticipating any call from the league office, which explains why he was away in Paris, France, vacationing alongside his brother, Shilo Sanders.

Moreover, he was happy eating a full cake, something no professional athlete would do unless they know they will not be playing at least for the next month or so.

Shedeur Sanders has fun at Pro Bowl practice

Shedeur Sanders is already at the Pro Bowl practice in San Francisco, California. A clip shared by the Buffalo Bills’ social media team shows one of their own preparing with the Browns QB.

You got to do something you may not like. You gotta snap it to me under center.

Shedeur Sanders told Dion Dawkins

The Bills’ left tackle, who usually prepares to protect superstar quarterback and reigning MVP Josh Allen‘s blind side, does not seem to be happy snapping the ball under center.

But for the sake of the Pro Bowl, Dion Dawkins did not mind snapping the ball to Sanders, as he reiterated that he was gunning to become MVP of the flag football games.

This will be the fourth year running that the NFL has fielded flag football games as one of its marquee events at the Pro Bowl. With the league doing everything it can to support the fledgling sport before the 2028 LA Olympics, Shedeur Sanders could position himself to be a star in it.

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