Ex-NBA champion blames Shedeur Sanders’ race for his Draft day fiasco, drags Shannon Sharpe in his rant

Stephen Jackson called out the ongoing issue of Black people tearing each other down instead of lifting each other up.

Ex-NBA champion blames Shedeur Sanders’ race for his Draft day fiasco, drags Shannon Sharpe in his rant

Shannon Sharpe, Stephen Jackson, and Shedeur Sanders (Images via IMAGO/X)

The recently concluded NFL Draft proved to be a valuable opportunity for over 200 college football players who were able to realize their lifetime dream to play in the league. Draft days were distraught for the Sanders family after Shedeur Sanders, initially predicted to be a top 10 pick, went on to slide four rounds before being picked 144th overall by the Cleveland Browns.

Shedeur Sanders‘ unexpected drop was concerning. With five other quarterbacks hearing their name called on the podium before him, fans have begun to ponder if this was all part of a bigger ploy from scouts and owners to show Deion Sanders that they would sooner pass up on talent rather than bend to the will of a rookie.

It is shocking to see that in 2025, too, Black people are actively engaged in dragging each other down rather than uplifting their own. Former NBA player Stephen Jackson pointed out this toxic trait within his community.

To prove that it was just not Shedeur Sanders who faced the brunt of their negativity, Jackson, also known as ‘Stak’, pointed out the hate being directed towards Shannon Sharpe over his recent legal troubles. The former Golden State Warriors’ star is not happy with people kicking his kind down.

They hate to see confident n*****s. When you Black and you confident, you know where you come from, you know who you are, you know what you can do, you don’t need nobody to pat you and the back and give you confidence. They hate it.

Stephen Jackson said via his social media account

Jackson believes that Sanders fell 144th overall, not because there were red flags with his game or personality, but because his confidence and ability to stay self-assured were perceived as threats by those drafting.

In the run-up to the Draft, Shedeur Sanders abstained from throwing at the NFL Combine and focused on his interviews. While he received praise from a few scouts, many teams expressed serious interest in him.

However, the quarterback had no intention of playing for those franchises, which is why he sabotaged those NFL Combine interviews. A new report from CBS Sports’ Jonathan Owens confirms that Shedeur ‘sandbagged’ in those meetings and did not put his best foot forward.

Stephen Jackson advises Black people to be consistent in rooting for their own

If there is any truth to those reports, then it makes more sense why Shedeur went undrafted until the late rounds. However, it should be fair to assume that he put his best foot forward in interviews with the teams having a top 10 pick in the draft.

To a degree, the franchises opted to pass on the quarterback due to his bold statements. It was their way to teach him a lesson.

Shannon Sharpe and Shedeur Sanders
Shannon Sharpe and Shedeur Sanders (Images via IMAGO)

Stephen Jackson spoke about Shannon Sharpe’s recent legal troubles. In his opinion, people are excited to see his downfall just around the time he was negotiating a multi-million dollar deal for his podcast.

Even our own people, our own people be ready to kick us when we down. Shannon going through a little something, I don’t know what’s going on but look how many of you are happy to see Shannon go through something…It’s enough for us all here, but it’s not surprising to see how many of us can’t wait to see one of us go through something…Don’t try to kick somebody when they’re going through something.

Stephen Jackson added

Jackson pointed out that rather than hating and praying for the downfall of others, people should focus on their business and look to succeed. He believes that Black people and individuals belonging to other races must not turn on their own, and if they see another person getting ahead of them in the rat race, then they should not worry about losing their piece of the pie.

The pie is big enough for all deserving individuals to get a piece. The hate showered on Shedeur Sanders and Shannon Sharpe is unjustifiable. The former was punished for being himself; the son of Deion Sanders is bound to be confident and bold, like the man himself. To punish him for that is excessive.

Furthermore, Sharpe has been a role model in society and the Black community. While it would be wrong to comment on the situation he finds himself in, it is best to abstain from jumping to conclusions until the Court issues its order. Stephen Jackson said it best: Pray for those around you to succeed because wishing ill will not yield positive results.

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