Emotional distress is a way of life for true sports fans. But it\u2019s not every day that they go to court over it.<\/p>\n
Yet one fan has filed a Hail Mary lawsuit over quarterback Shedeur Sanders<\/a>\u2019 NFL draft slide, seeking a cool $100 million in punitive damages for what he called \u201cthe impact of the NFL\u2019s actions on his emotional well-being.\u201d<\/p>\n After being coached by his father, NFL legend Deion Sanders, at the University of Colorado, the younger Sanders was projected<\/a> to go as high as the first round of last month\u2019s draft. But he wasn\u2019t picked until the fifth round<\/a>, by the Cleveland Browns.<\/p>\n \u201cDespite Sanders\u2019 demonstrated skills and significant attention during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, the NFL drafted him at the 144th pick during the 2025 NFL Draft,\u201d said the complaint<\/a> filed in Georgia federal court by a plaintiff under the pseudonym John Doe. The self-described \u201cdedicated fan of Colorado football\u201d and Georgia resident alleged that reports and leaked statements about Sanders negatively influenced the league\u2019s decision-making process, \u201ccausing emotional distress and trauma to the Plaintiff as a fan and consumer.\u201d<\/p>\n Specifically, Doe alleged violations of antitrust, civil rights, intentional infliction of emotional distress and trauma, and consumer protection laws. On top of the nine-figure money damages, the suit seeks a \u201cformal acknowledgment from the NFL regarding the emotional distress caused by their actions and statements,\u201d a \u201cretraction of the slanderous statements made about Shedeur Sanders, along with an apology for any harm caused to his reputation\u201d and implementation of “fairer practices in the drafting process to ensure that talented players are recognized and given opportunities based on merit.\u201d<\/p>\n The complaint concludes by requesting \u201cthat the Court consider this complaint and take appropriate action to address the intentional emotional distress and trauma suffered as a result of the NFL’s collusive practices and the harmful statements made regarding Shedeur Sanders.\u201d<\/p>\n Admittedly, it\u2019s a little difficult to know where to start with this one, other than to sum things up by saying that it\u2019s unlikely to succeed<\/a>. Indeed, the Hail Mary comparison might be generous, because those prayerful throws still have a shot at scoring<\/a>.<\/p>\n We may soon learn whether the court thinks the claim can even get on the field, so to speak. Doe filed it under what\u2019s called \u201cin forma pauperis<\/a>,\u201d which is when someone says they can\u2019t afford filing fees. When that happens, one of the things that courts look at<\/a> is whether the suit is \u201cfrivolous.\u201d That determination could come soon and result in dismissal.<\/p>\n