Sports commentator Skip Bayless has claimed that Shedeur Sanders made the NFL look like 'racist fools' following his impressive preseason debut for the Cleveland Browns. Sanders, who was projected as a potential first-round pick, dramatically fell to the fifth round of the NFL Draft in April, where the Browns selected him 144th overall.
In Cleveland's first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, Sanders completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. The performance has reignited criticism of the draft process, with Bayless suggesting the drop was influenced by bias against Sanders and his father, Deion Sanders.
'Tonight, Shedeur Sanders made the entire National Football League look like petty fools, and in some cases, racist fools, and in many cases, Deion-despising fools,' Bayless said in a social media statement. He added that Sanders 'shamed' all 32 teams that passed on him before the Browns selected him.
Despite the strong debut, Sanders faces a fierce quarterback competition in Cleveland, competing with Dillon Gabriel, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Tyler Huntley for a spot on the 53-man roster. The Browns have not yet announced who will start their next preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Sanders' performance has improved his chances of making the team, but he still has work to do to secure a regular-season role. The Browns' next game will provide another opportunity for Sanders to prove himself against a reigning championship defence.
