Browns Rookie Shedeur Sanders Steps Into First NFL Start with Father Deion’s Support
This Sunday marks a significant milestone for Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who will make his first NFL start against the Las Vegas Raiders in a matchup between two struggling 2-8 teams. The fifth-round draft pick was thrust into action last week when fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel suffered a concussion, forcing Sanders to play the entire second half without having received any first-team practice repetitions. Despite the challenging circumstances of his debut, where he completed just 4 of 16 passes for 68 yards and threw an interception, Sanders now has the benefit of a full week of preparation as the team’s starter.
The emotional weight of this moment was captured in a touching pregame scene shared widely on social media, showing Sanders embracing his father, Pro Football Hall of Famer and current Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, in the stadium tunnel. The Browns’ social media account highlighted this “special moment with Dad before his first pregame speech,” showcasing the unique father-son relationship that has been central to Shedeur’s football journey. This connection has been a constant throughout Sanders’ development, from his college career at Jackson State to Colorado, where he followed his father and established himself as a legitimate NFL prospect.
The touching pregame moment resonated strongly with fans across the football world, even transcending team loyalties. Social media reactions ranged from acknowledgment of the “two legends in the same tunnel” to Raiders supporters expressing genuine interest in seeing Sanders succeed: “Raiders fan here. Rooting for Shedeur to have a great game and show the NFL what he can do.” Others predicted strong performance—”He will ball out today. Watch”—while some simply appreciated the authentic display of family support, asking, “How do people hate this?!?!? Beautiful.” This widespread positive response demonstrates how Sanders’ story has captured the imagination of NFL fans beyond just Browns supporters.
Sanders’ path to this NFL moment has been anything but conventional. He began his collegiate career in the FCS at Jackson State under his father’s coaching, before following Deion to Colorado, where he continued to develop his skills at the FBS level. At Colorado, he set numerous single-season program records and played alongside Travis Hunter, who has since become a Jacksonville Jaguars first-round pick and Heisman Trophy winner. This unique background, combining the challenges of program-building at historically smaller schools with the intense spotlight that follows the Sanders name, has prepared Shedeur for high-pressure situations.
For the Browns, Sanders represents a potential spark for a season that has largely gone off the rails. At 2-8, Cleveland’s playoff hopes are effectively extinguished, but these final games provide valuable evaluation opportunities for young players who might factor into the franchise’s future plans. Sanders’ opportunity comes at a pivotal moment for an organization that has struggled to find consistency at quarterback, and a strong showing could position him for a larger role moving forward, even if just as a developmental backup with upside.
As Sanders takes the field against the equally struggling Raiders, the moment transcends the typical late-season matchup between two teams with identical 2-8 records. It represents a new chapter in the Sanders football legacy, with Deion watching his son step onto the NFL stage not just as a proud father, but as someone who has directly shaped Shedeur’s development as both a quarterback and a person. Whether this start marks the beginning of a successful NFL journey or simply serves as a valuable learning experience, the support system Sanders has in place—highlighted by that emotional pregame moment with his father—provides him with a foundation few rookie quarterbacks enjoy as they navigate their first professional opportunities.
