Shedeur Sanders , the Cleveland Browns ' newest rookie quarterback, didn’t flinch when asked about his mentor Tom Brady ’s advice following a surprising slide in the 2025 NFL Draft . His response wasn’t just confident—it was a declaration of intent. “My story is going to be similar, you know, I was a late-round draft pick... But we're here now so none of that stuff matters,” Sanders told reporters at rookie minicamp. “It just mattered on the day. I'm just excited to be here and ready to work.”
Shedeur Sanders shares how Tom Brady’s draft history mirrors his own NFL slide
Drafted 144th overall in the fifth round, Shedeur Sanders' draft day drop instantly drew comparisons to Tom Brady’s own path—picked 199th in 2000. But the similarities end with the draft slot. Brady entered the league virtually unknown; Sanders, on the other hand, arrived as a cultural phenomenon. With a huge national following, high-profile endorsements, and the legacy of being a pioneer in the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era, Sanders didn’t just show up to the NFL—he brought a new blueprint with him.
Tom Brady himself weighed in on the moment, offering words only he could back with seven Super Bowl titles and a legacy carved out from doubt. "I actually texted Shedeur because I know him very well, and I said, 'Dude, like, whatever happens, wherever you go, like, that's your first day. Day 2 matters more than the draft,'" Brady said on the Impaulsive podcast. "I was [pick] 199. So, who could speak on it better than me, like, what that really means? Use it as motivation. You're gonna get your chances. Go take advantage of it."
That motivation now fuels Sanders as he embarks on his NFL journey in Cleveland—a city whose franchise ironically mock-drafted him in a viral social media post long before they actually made it official. What started as internet fodder is now reality, and the Browns appear willing to give him the shot that so many teams passed on.
Still, the NFL's cold reception to the Sanders family has raised eyebrows. Pre-draft projections had Shedeur comfortably in the first round and his brother Shilo in Day 2 contention. Yet, Shedeur fell to Day 3, and Shilo went undrafted entirely. The message was loud: the league may not be ready for the brand-first, legacy-loaded presence that the Sanders family represents.
Deion Sanders , never one to stay silent, made his feelings clear. His now-viral declaration—“they’ll regret it”—was less about wounded pride and more a callout of what feels like institutional resistance to a new era. This wasn’t just about talent; it was about a system slow to embrace change. Shedeur, with his NIL-era experience and off-field acumen, symbolizes a generational shift—one where athletes are not just players, but brands, businessmen, and cultural voices.
Now the spotlight is on Cleveland, where Shedeur Sanders looks to prove that the league’s hesitation was a miscalculation. Armed with Brady's mentorship and his father’s fierce backing, Sanders is positioned not just to play—but to change the narrative surrounding what success looks like for modern NFL rookies .
For Sanders, the draft slip may have stung. But the story he's writing? That’s just getting started—and it promises to be unforgettable.
Also Read: Shedeur Sanders opens up on hate he receives, says ‘99% of hatred’ is actually directed at dad Deion
Shedeur Sanders shares how Tom Brady’s draft history mirrors his own NFL slide
Drafted 144th overall in the fifth round, Shedeur Sanders' draft day drop instantly drew comparisons to Tom Brady’s own path—picked 199th in 2000. But the similarities end with the draft slot. Brady entered the league virtually unknown; Sanders, on the other hand, arrived as a cultural phenomenon. With a huge national following, high-profile endorsements, and the legacy of being a pioneer in the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era, Sanders didn’t just show up to the NFL—he brought a new blueprint with him.
“My story is gonna be similar” - Shedeur Sanders on Tom Brady reaching out after his draft slide. pic.twitter.com/Up22an4GDN
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) May 10, 2025
Tom Brady himself weighed in on the moment, offering words only he could back with seven Super Bowl titles and a legacy carved out from doubt. "I actually texted Shedeur because I know him very well, and I said, 'Dude, like, whatever happens, wherever you go, like, that's your first day. Day 2 matters more than the draft,'" Brady said on the Impaulsive podcast. "I was [pick] 199. So, who could speak on it better than me, like, what that really means? Use it as motivation. You're gonna get your chances. Go take advantage of it."
Tom Brady explains WHY Shedeur Sanders PLUMMETED in the NFL Draft pic.twitter.com/VLlFQMs99G
— IMPAULSIVE (@impaulsive) May 6, 2025
That motivation now fuels Sanders as he embarks on his NFL journey in Cleveland—a city whose franchise ironically mock-drafted him in a viral social media post long before they actually made it official. What started as internet fodder is now reality, and the Browns appear willing to give him the shot that so many teams passed on.
Still, the NFL's cold reception to the Sanders family has raised eyebrows. Pre-draft projections had Shedeur comfortably in the first round and his brother Shilo in Day 2 contention. Yet, Shedeur fell to Day 3, and Shilo went undrafted entirely. The message was loud: the league may not be ready for the brand-first, legacy-loaded presence that the Sanders family represents.
Deion Sanders , never one to stay silent, made his feelings clear. His now-viral declaration—“they’ll regret it”—was less about wounded pride and more a callout of what feels like institutional resistance to a new era. This wasn’t just about talent; it was about a system slow to embrace change. Shedeur, with his NIL-era experience and off-field acumen, symbolizes a generational shift—one where athletes are not just players, but brands, businessmen, and cultural voices.
Now the spotlight is on Cleveland, where Shedeur Sanders looks to prove that the league’s hesitation was a miscalculation. Armed with Brady's mentorship and his father’s fierce backing, Sanders is positioned not just to play—but to change the narrative surrounding what success looks like for modern NFL rookies .
For Sanders, the draft slip may have stung. But the story he's writing? That’s just getting started—and it promises to be unforgettable.
Also Read: Shedeur Sanders opens up on hate he receives, says ‘99% of hatred’ is actually directed at dad Deion
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