Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders told Mike Klis of 9News how he feels about the constant barrage of criticism about him ahead of the 2025 draft given his decision to sit out the NFL scouting combine.
In a word: annoyed. In another, prepared.
After all, Shedeur’s father, Buffs head coach Deion Sanders, was one of the most scrutinized athletes of all time during his playing career – and that hasn’t stopped since he became “Coach Prime.”
“You think I’m worried about what critics say, or what people got to say? You know who my dad is? They hated on him too,” Sanders said. “So it’s almost normal. Without people hating him, it’s not normal for us. So, we like adversity. We like everything that comes with the name.”
Shedeur’s criticisms from the media are largely unfounded. The “Grown QB” isn’t the first, nor will he be the last, to sit out from throwing at the NFL scouting combine.
The Associated Press’s Michael Marot downplayed the situation with facts explaining how common it is to do what Shedeur and fellow projected first-round QB, Miami’s Cam Ward, did this year.
“The announcements are not a surprise. Both had indicated previously they weren’t planning to do on-field drills when quarterbacks, running backs and receivers are schedule to be on the Lucas Oil Stadium field,” Marot wrote.
“It’s also hardly a new trend. They join a long group of quarterbacks who have opted out of the workouts, a list that includes names such as No. 1 overall picks Caleb Williams, Bryce Young and Joe Burrow among others.”
Shedeur, like his father, is navigating a world where he’ll get unearned hate well. He hasn’t flown off the handle and he continues to focus on the task at hand.