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Shedeur Sanders’ NFL career has gotten off to a rocky start, but one man has been by his side the whole way.
When Sanders fell in the NFL Draft, President Donald Trump called NFL owners “stupid” for passing on him. After he picked up a win in his first start on Sunday, Trump gave them an “I TOLD YOU.”
The 23-year-old has noted the president’s support.
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President Donald Trump has endorsed Shedeur Sanders since falling behind in the NFL Draft. (Associated Press)
“He’s certainly been a supporter for a moment, so I’m just grateful for him, from even taking time out of his day to be able to speak, his support,” Sanders told reporters Wednesday.
Sanders was 11-of-20 for 209 yards and a touchdown pass in the 24-10 win against the Las Vegas Raiders. He threw an impressive pass to Isaiah Bond, who made a score early in the game. He then had a 66-yard touchdown pass to Dylan Sampson that started as a dump-off.
“Shedeur Sanders was AWESOME. Wins first fight, career start, as pro (for Cleveland). Big nuisance. I TOLD YOU SO!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Sanders was a fifth-round pick of the Browns after he was considered one of the best quarterbacks available. In April, the president was among those confused his fall.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders answers a question during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Cleveland, Ohio, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
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“What’s wrong with NFL owners, are they STUPID? Deion Sanders was a great college football player, and was even better in the NFL. He’s also a very good coach, streetwise and smart! That’s why Shedeur, his quarterback son, has PHENOMENAL GENES, and is ready for greatness,” Trump wrote on Truth Social at the time.
Sanders said he was also “really grateful” for Trump’s support back in May.
Sanders started the season as the third-string quarterback behind Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel. The Browns traded Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals before deciding to start Gabriel. However, the former Oregon star suffered a concussion in last week’s game, opening the door for Sanders.
Gabriel has cleared the concussion protocol, but the Browns announced that the job is now Sanders’.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) throws the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
“Everybody starts in different places. Like I said, just because I didn’t get summer reps, just because I wasn’t in the best situation for me to be prepared to go out there and execute from a summer standpoint — that’s life,” Sanders said after his performance. “Everybody’s not in the best situation. But that’s no excuse. I have to go out and perform. There’s no choice. There’s no question.”
“No one cares if this was a week of preparation. Who cares? So many people want to see me fail – it’s not going to happen. It’s not going to happen,” he added.
The Browns are playing San Francisco 49ers next week.
