Shedeur Sanders was filmed calling out a critical local journalist just moments after his stunning debut for the Cleveland Browns on Friday night.
Sanders has faced extreme scrutiny during this summer’s offseason after his notorious slide down the NFL Draft board back in April.
The son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, who coached Shedeur at Colorado in college football, finally landed with the Browns and got his first taste of NFL action on Friday night.
The 23-year-old took his chance and completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdown passes as the Browns defeated the Carolina Panthers 30-10.
But, in the moments after the game, Sanders spoke with local Cleveland sports writer and radio personality Tony Grossi in the tunnel.
Sanders was not confrontational but the quarterback did question why Grossi had been critical of him in his coverage this summer.
Shedeur Sanders was filmed calling out local journalist Tony Grossi for his negative coverage
‘Tony, I be hoping you have something positive to say about me,’ Sanders tells Grossi in the footage captured by Deion Sanders Jr.’s Well Off Media.
‘You only say negative stuff about me. And I’m like, “I ain’t do nothing to you”.’
It is unclear what Grossi said in response but Sanders continued, adding: ‘I ain’t hear nothing positive you’ve ever said.’
Whatever Grossi said in response prompted a laugh and playful shoulder pat from the quarterback, who remained steadfast in his opinion of the negative coverage.
‘What I do to you, Tony?’ Sanders asks as he starts walking back to the locker room.
Grossi said after Friday night’s game that Sanders’ performance was ‘outstanding’.
In fact, his preseason debut was so impressive that even LeBron James took notice.
‘That young (man) looking good out there,’ James posted on X. ‘Keep going UP!!! HEAD down on the grind and HEAD high to the most high.’
Sanders threw two touchdown passes as the Browns defeated the Carolina Panthers 30-10
Sanders, a highly-rated draft prospect who endured a dramatic fall into the fifth round in April, entered the game fourth on the Browns depth chart, but was pressed into starting duty because of injuries.
His status could change after he led three touchdown drives in nearly three full quarters of action, showing tremendous poise and awareness in the pocket.
Sanders said he’s not worried about how the depth chart shakes out.
‘When I get out there it’s just doing what I gotta do,’ Sanders said. ‘Everything else is not in my hands, so I don’t worry about it. I just don´t think that deep into everything because it´s nothing you´re gonna be able to control. So why put energy in something that you can´t control?’
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said he was pleased with how Sanders played, but said it’s too early to know if he will get more reps in practice or start the next preseason game against the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in what is viewed as an open quarterback competition.
‘I’m honestly not focused there,’ Stefanski said. ‘I think the guys need to continue to earn their roles. That´s what these guys are doing.’
