White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt cheekily insinuated that President Donald Trump might have been the reason Shedeur Sanders was drafted by the Cleveland Browns this weekend.
Speaking to reporters at a press briefing Monday, Leavitt was asked if Trump’s Truth Social post about Sanders—the son of NFL Hall of Famer Deoin Sanders and a standout for the Colorado Buffaloes last season—had anything to do with him being selected in the fifth round of the NFL draft Saturday.
“All I will say is the president put out a statement and a few rounds later he was drafted,” Leavitt responded with a laugh. “So I think the facts speak for themselves on that one.”
On Friday, Trump criticized owners at the NFL Draft for not selecting Sanders, who was expected to be a first-round pick on Thursday but fell to a day three selection, despite what Trump called his “phenomenal genes.”
“What is wrong with NFL owners, are they STUPID? Deion Sanders was a great college football player, and was even greater in the NFL. He’s also a very good coach, streetwise and smart!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Therefore, Shedeur, his quarterback son, has PHENOMENAL GENES, and is all set for Greatness. He should be ‘picked’ IMMEDIATELY by a team that wants to WIN. Good luck Shedeur, and say hello to your wonderful father!”
Shilo and Shedeur dancing is perfection after Shedeur got drafted 😂(via shilosanders/Twitch) pic.twitter.com/JdL6O0snhn
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 26, 2025
Sanders’ stunning free fall has been attributed to some issues with his draft profile. ESPN reports that the 23-year-old’s pre-draft process, particularly his interviews, apparently didn’t go well. Huffington Post also reports that there were concerns over his reputation and arm strength.
Sanders’ brother, Shilo, streamed the rising quarterback’s reaction to his selection by the Browns Saturday, where he could be seen dancing and celebrating with his loved ones.
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