Prove Them Wrong

Speak Up, Get Skipped: The NFL’s Silent Rule

Shedeur Sanders warned them.

At the combine he said he would change the fate of the franchise that selects him. “If you ain’t trying to change the franchise or the culture, don’t [pick] me” said Shedeur.

And they listened — not to embrace him, but to skip over him.

More Than Just Business — It Was Personal

Despite putting up over 4,100 passing yards, a 71% completion rate, and rewriting college records, Sanders — the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders — slid all the way down to the fifth round in the 2025 NFL Draft, picked 144th overall by the Cleveland Browns. A fall that many are calling more than just business — it was personal.

For Black quarterbacks, this isn’t new. Colin Kaepernick took a knee for justice and lost his NFL career while the league’s biggest Black stars mostly stayed silent — protecting their own brands while a message bigger than football was erased. Now, the league sends another reminder: embrace change, and you will pay for it.

“Tough To Deal With”

They labeled Sanders “tough to deal with,” the same coded language used against Black athletes, employees, and leaders across every industry. Meanwhile, history shows how different the treatment is for others:

• When Eli Manning refused to play for the Chargers in 2004, his family worked a backdoor trade to the Giants with full NFL cooperation and no public outcry.
• When Peyton Manning was drafted, the NFL celebrated his family’s influence without question.
• Colin Kaepernick took a knee for justice and lost his NFL career.
• Jalen Hurts, doubted and dropped to the second round, went on to lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl.

Sanders’ declaration was clear: he’s not here just to throw touchdowns. He’s here to represent. To lead differently. To make the game better — and the culture louder.

The question isn’t whether Shedeur Sanders can succeed. It’s whether the NFL can finally stop punishing those who dare to demand more.