An NFL fan has filed a $100 million lawsuit against the league for Shedeur Sanders falling to the fifth round in the 2025 Draft. Last week, the self-proclaimed "dedicated fan of Colorado football" filed the lawsuit in federal court as John Doe. In it, he accused the NFL of violating antitrust, civil rights, and consumer protection laws, as well as intentional infliction of emotional distress and trauma.
Doe claimed to have seen Sanders play for Colorado in a game against TCU in 2023, becoming a fan after seeing his "exceptional talent and potential as a quarterback."
However, the fan accused NFL owners of colluding to lower Sanders' place in the draft after reports and "leaked statements" about his alleged behavior during interviews with teams "unjustly harmed his reputation." That low draft place, the suit alleges, "may have been influenced by racial discrimination."
The fan is seeking $100 million as well as a formal acknowledgment from the NFL of the "emotional distress" they caused him; a "retraction of the slanderous statements" about Sanders; an apology for "any harm caused to his reputation"; and "fairer practices in the drafting process."
The self-filed case is currently in front of a district court judge, who will determine if it is frivolous.
The Cleveland Browns drafted Sanders with the 144th pick in the fifth round. The NFL community was shocked to see Sanders fall to the fifth round after several mock drafts had him going in the first round.
In his last season at Colorado, Sanders had arguably the best stats out of any quarterback in the draft this year. He put up 4,134 passing yards, 37 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, four rushing touchdowns, and had a completion percentage of 74 percent.
