Former U.S. Congressman Claims America’s “Fear Of Strong Black Men” Led To Shedeur Sanders’ First-Round NFL Draft Slide

Shedeur Sanders (Photo Via Instagram/@shedeursanders)
The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft didn’t go the way Shedeur Sanders had hoped.

Deion Sanders compares Shedeur Sanders criticism to Lamar Jackson’s in 2018 | SPEAK

Once pegged as a potential top-five pick, Sanders watched from his custom-built draft room as team after team passed him by. Despite the media frenzy surrounding him leading up to draft night, the Colorado quarterback ended up without a first-round home.

While football fans debated the reasons behind Sanders’ fall, former New York Congressman Jamaal Bowman wasted no time offering his take.

In a fiery 10-minute rant posted to social media, Bowman claimed Sanders dropped because “America continues to fear strong black men,” arguing that the NFL shied away from Sanders because of his flashy image and outspoken personality.

The Fallout After Sanders’ Slide

QB Shedeur Sanders (Photo By Troy Taormina-Imagn Images)

Sanders’ draft stock took a hit following the NFL Combine, where rumors swirled about how poorly he handled interviews with teams. According to an anonymous assistant coach quoted by Whiskey Riff, Sanders came off as “entitled” and “unprofessional,” with one coach going as far as calling it the worst interview he had ever seen. Criticism centered not just on his attitude but also on his playstyle, with concerns about his tendency to hold the ball too long and blame teammates for mistakes.

 

Despite these red flags, Bowman pointed the finger at deeper societal issues. He suggested that Sanders’ gold chains and confident demeanor made NFL teams uncomfortable. However, the numbers tell a different story. The Titans selected Miami’s Cam Ward, a black quarterback, with the first overall pick. Twenty-five of the 32 first-round selections were black players, according to Whiskey Riff, reflecting the NFL’s ongoing diversity at key positions, including quarterback.

Even Sanders’ own teammate, Travis Hunter, known for his flashy style and jewelry, went second overall to the Jaguars without incident. Critics argue that blaming racism not only ignores legitimate concerns about Sanders’ performance and professionalism but also unfairly diminishes the achievements of players like Ward and Hunter.

Bowman’s comments sparked heated debates online, with many pointing out that while bias can exist in any system, Sanders’ draft-night fall appeared tied more to individual evaluations than any sweeping league-wide agenda. Meanwhile, Sanders now looks ahead to day two of the draft, still searching for the team that will bet on his talent and potential