Canton, Texas: Shedeur Sanders’ chunky diamond chain flaunted just one word: “LEGENDARY”—a reminder aimed at detractors and the 32 NFL teams headed toward Lambeau Field. Unfortunately, as the first round concluded, a vivid heaviness settled in the air. While the Colorado Buffaloes signal-caller confidently (or rather, meekly) announced, “We all didn’t expect this…but we understand we on to bigger and better things,” the previously theorized downfall was evident. Before the draft, it was expected that the New York Giants would pick Shedeur at No. 3. They chose Penn State’s Abdul Carter instead. Wildly, they even traded up to No. 25 to secure their QB in Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart. What went wrong? Well… What didn’t?

For starters, the NFL has, for a long time, refused to pay heed to the Sanders conversation. Despite picking up the 2024 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, top league executives and coaches maintained that the QB lacked arm talent, held on to the ball for too long, and was handed everything on a silver platter, thanks to his head coach dad. And there were some insider comments even detailing the youngster’s supposed arrogance and entitlement—a victim of which was reportedly even Giants HC Brian Daboll at one point, as per analyst Todd McShay.

But, as soon as a reporter aimed to tread on the rather controversial matter, the HC made sure to steer clear as soon as he possibly could. During a press conference post Round-2, Daboll revealed without naming anyone, “I’d say we had good meetings with all the guys that came in here on their top 30 visits,” he said. “Quarterback meetings were productive, and you know, we’re happy with Jaxson.” Cryptic.

Notably, the controversy arose when McShay first indicated the looming Sanders disaster in his pre-draft report: “With just a few hours until the draft kicks off in Green Bay, league sources I’ve spoken to are expecting him to slide… I’ve heard from two different sources that his visit with head coach Brian Daboll did not go particularly well.” And the reason behind the tense meeting? “The friction centered on some frustration between the two regarding Sanders’ preparation of an install package,” the insider added. “It seems the interview process as a whole — beginning in Indianapolis, as I reported a few days after the Combine — has negatively affected the leaguewide perception of Sanders during the lead-up to this year’s draft.”

A day before the draft, McShay even dropped a suspenseful message coming from the Giants’ front office. “Daboll is not a Shedeur guy,” he said on his podcast. “And Daboll prefers Jaxson Dart. I don’t know to what level…There’s speculation in league circles that there’s a push from Daboll to use the Giants’ first pick on [Jaxson Dart].” Unfortunately this comes days after another NFL assistant coach completely ripped apart the Colorado Buffaloes quarterback.

On a condition of anonymity, the coach stated how his time with Sanders was “the worst formal interview I’ve ever been in in my life. He’s so entitled. He takes unnecessary sacks. He never plays on time. He has horrible body language. He blames teammates. … But the biggest thing is, he’s not that good.” And there was another NFL Scouting Director who described in vivid detail how the QB’s time with the Buffs didn’t do him any good. Meaning? The evident upper hand he got as Coach Prime’s son would only amount to a “culture shock” when he “really learns how a locker room really operates and how it really works inside a building.” Perhaps the most damning of statements?

“When you walk in one of these [NFL] buildings, no one’s going to give a s— about that. No one cares who your dad is.” But don’t be mistaken. It’s not like the youngest Sanders son has only seen dissent, and no acceptance. In fact, many have opined that it’s better that NFL bigwigs leave the cloak of anonymity behind rather than use it to slander and destroy young athletes. In a tweet on April 22, sportswriter Brian Howell, who described himself as a person who covered Shedeur for 2 years noted:

“I find the hits on his character mind-boggling. The Shedeur I got to know is … – a leader – well-liked by his teammates – tough as nails – engaging with the media (after wins & losses) – supremely confident but shows humility at times – not afraid to take on a challenge – one that will work on his game more than anyone on the team I don’t know how good he’s going to be in the NFL, but I’d be surprised if he’s not a success, and if he slips in the draft, some team is going to get a steal.” Hate or no hate, one thing’s clear…

His mother is having none of it.

Pilar Sanders is frustrated at NFL’s snub on Shedeur Sanders

Shedeur’s mom, Pilar Sanders, who was initially hyped up in anticipation of her son’s expected first-round pick on Thursday night, faced a grim reality. Slander circled around Shedeur with one anonymous NFL coach blasting his interview to NFL Network‘s Tom Pelissero. “The worst formal interview I’ve ever been in in my life. He’s so entitled. He takes unnecessary sacks,” the coach said. “He never plays on time. He has horrible body language. He blames teammates. But the biggest thing is, he’s not that good.” But this anonymous hate is getting more hate than it was intended for.

Pilar posted former NFL QB Robert Griffin’s reel on her IG story, which had the words — “The Shedeur Sanders NFL Draft hate is RIDICULOUS” plastered across it. No need for her own take. This statement summed up her frustration at the NFL and the hate that’s circulating around his talented son, who’s undoubtedly been snubbed. But it’s not like Shedeur is completely sidelined.

Several came to Shedeur Sanders’ rescue, including NFL analyst Kyle Brandt, who slammed the anonymous statement, saying, “Do not listen to that quote. That quote is b——-.” Nebraska’s Matt Rhule also saw the QB’s potential, saying, “I would take him No. 3 overall. Without a question.” But, biggest of all, even President Donald Trump questioned if the NFL owners have lost their minds for passing up on the QB who has “phenomenal genes and is all set for greatness.”

Hate is never-ending. But Shedeur Sanders will surely find a way to rise above all this negativity. Haters will hate, but as Deion Sanders Jr. says, “The rejected will be respected.”