Pre-draft reports that Shedeur Sanders ‘tanked interviews,’ ‘wasn’t prepared,’ and ‘was too cocky’ in meetings with NFL teams not only hurt the former Colorado quarterback, but also a Georgia man, according to a new $100 million lawsuit against the league.
Filed by a John Doe in Atlanta federal court and obtained by Daily Mail, the lawsuit accuses the league of everything from inflicting emotional distress to violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act and Civil Rights Act violations.
Sanders plummeted to the Cleveland Browns with the 144th pick of last month’s draft amid a wave of anonymous criticism from league scouts and executives. As the self-described Colorado football fan sees it, Sanders’ fall from a projected first-round pick to the fifth round was the result of collusion by NFL teams, who ‘may have been influenced by racial discrimination.’
Ultimately, Doe claims, the league’s aim was to ‘restrain trade and limit competition’ among teams.
Fortunately for the league, Doe has a solution: Pay him $100 million.
According to the lawsuit, that sum would repair the ‘harm caused to the Plaintiff and the impact of the NFL’s actions on his emotional well-being.’
Shedeur Sanders reportedly fell in the draft due to concerns about his professionalism
Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes talks with Shedeur Sanders #2 prior to a game against the UCF Knights at FBC Mortgage Stadium
But the requests don’t stop there. Doe also wants a retraction of the ‘slanderous statements made about Shedeur Sanders, along with an apology for any harm caused to his reputation.’
Furthermore, Doe hopes to see the ‘implementation of fairer practices in the drafting process to ensure that talented players are recognized and given opportunities based on merit.’ But if you’re wondering what that would look like, Doe didn’t offer any details in his lawsuit.
Daily Mail has reached out for comment to both the NFL and Doe, who is representing himself in the lawsuit.
It’s unclear how Doe became a Colorado fan living in Georgia, but there’s a good chance it involves Sanders’ father, Deion, the Colorado football coach and a former member of both the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and Major League Baseball’s Atlanta Braves.
Along with Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, Sanders was among two quarterbacks drafted by the Browns last month. But despite those additions, it’s 40-year-old Joe Flacco who is believed to be in line to start the season under center, according to Sports Illustrated.
Both Sanders and Gabriel were denied their college jersey numbers as they enter the Browns’ rookie minicamp.
Sanders has tried to quickly familiarize himself with his new work home by visiting with students in the cafeteria at John Marshall High School, about six miles from the Browns complex in Berea, Ohio.
‘Whatever situation they’re in, that’s really where I feel like I have the most impact on, is really the kids and giving them a different perspective of respect parents, respect their elders and respect those people that are in position to give you advice,’ he told assembled media.
The Browns’ rookie minicamp starts Friday.
