A Colorado football fan, identified as “John Doe,” has filed a $100 million lawsuit against the NFL, claiming emotional distress over Shedeur Sanders’ unexpected fall to the fifth round (No. 144 overall) in the 202
5 NFL Draft, where he was selected by the Cleveland Browns.
The lawsuit alleges that slanderous and biased media reports accusing Sanders of poor interview performance and arrogance unjustly damaged his reputation and influenced teams’ decisions. Doe claims the NFL’s actions violated the Sherman Antitrust Act by suggesting a coordinated effort among teams to limit Sanders’ opportunity, and alleges racial discrimination in breach of the Civil Rights Act.
Legal experts widely view the lawsuit as frivolous, with many considering it more of a publicity stunt or prank rather than a serious legal pursuit.
Despite the controversy, Shedeur Sanders has remained focused, expressing readiness to prove himself with the Browns.