![\"Justin](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/6b79865ae85f076b42f4ce8abc31ba1e.jpeg\"\/)
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Justin Casterline\/Getty <\/p>\n
Shedeur Sanders<\/p>\n
Shedeur Sanders<\/a> wasn\u2019t the only one impacted by his dramatic slide in the 2025 NFL Draft, according to a new lawsuit filed by a \u201cdistressed\u201d football fan.<\/p>\n An unidentified NFL fan in Georgia filed a $100-million lawsuit against the league, arguing that the 23-year-old quarterback’s unexpected drop in the draft caused \u201cemotional distress and trauma\u201d to the plaintiff \u201cas a fan and consumer\u201d of the NFL.<\/p>\n The lawsuit, filed May 1 and reviewed by PEOPLE, names the NFL as a defendant and asks for the monetary compensation due to \u201cthe harm caused to the plaintiff and the impact of the NFL\u2019s actions on his emotional well-being.\u201d<\/p>\n The plaintiff says in the lawsuit that they are \u201ca dedicated fan of Colorado football and has closely followed Sanders throughout the 2023 and 2024 seasons,\u201d even traveling to attend a game in 2023 and \u201cwitnessing firsthand Sanders\u2019 exceptional talent and potential as a quarterback.\u201d<\/p>\n The filing also says the fan \u201cregularly consumes media content related to Shedeur Sanders\u201d online. The fan alleges in their lawsuit that \u201creports and leaked statements\u201d about the former Colorado quarterback being \u201ctoo cocky\u201d had \u201ccontributed to a narrative that has unjustly harmed his reputation and potential as a player.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThese slanderous statements reflect biases that influenced the NFL\u2019s decision-making process,\u201d the fan\u2019s lawsuit alleges.<\/p>\n Related: Son of NFL Coach Admits to Prank-Calling Shedeur Sanders During Draft: ‘I Made a Terrible Mistake’<\/a><\/p>\n Perry Knotts\/Getty<\/p>\n Shedeur Sanders<\/p>\n The fan further claims Sanders\u2019 draft slide showed \u201ccollusion\u201d among NFL teams, and that decisions regarding Sanders \u201cmay have been influenced by racial discrimination.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe NFL’s actions and the dissemination of slanderous statements have caused severe emotional distress and trauma to the Plaintiff, resulting in frustration, disappointment, and psychological harm as a fan,\u201d the lawsuit alleges.<\/p>\n Related: Shilo Sanders ‘Fired’ Dad Deion as His Agent After Brother Shedeur Shockingly Drops to 5th Round in NFL Draft<\/a><\/p>\n Never miss a story \u2014 sign up for\u00a0PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter<\/a>\u00a0to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer\u200b\u200b, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.<\/p>\n In the past year, Sanders was projected as high as a top 3 NFL draft pick in some mock drafts. However, as draft day drew closer, Sanders\u2019 value appeared to slide \u2013 especially as Cam Ward<\/a> became the consensus No. 1 overall draft pick and stock surrounding other quarterbacks, like No. 25 overall pick Jaxson Dart<\/a> and No. 94 overall pick Dillon Gabriel, began to surge.<\/p>\n Sanders was ultimately selected<\/a> by the Cleveland Browns with the team\u2019s final draft pick at No. 144. \u201cThank you GOD,\u201d Sanders wrote on social media after his name was finally called.<\/p>\n After the draft, Sanders\u2019 father Deion Sanders<\/a> posted a video on Instagram<\/a> of his son speaking to guests at the family\u2019s draft party, saying that \u201cwe all didn’t expect this,\u201d but that he felt confident that it happened for a reason, and added that it only added \u201cfuel to the fire.\u201d<\/p>\n Read the original article on People<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Perry](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1a224795e7909b17b949d59969f9a768.jpeg\"\/)
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