One football fan has filed a lawsuit against the NFL over the shocking Shedeur Sanders draft fallout.
Once projected as a top pick, the former Colorado quarterback tumbled to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft before being selected by the Cleveland Browns at No. 144 overall. His unexpected slide sparked outrage from one die-hard fan, who is now suing the NFL for $100 million in punitive damages “for the harm caused to the Plaintiff and the impact of the NFL’s actions on his emotional well-being,” according to court documents.
Filed under the name “John Doe,” the lawsuit describes the Plaintiff as a loyal Colorado Buffaloes supporter who “closely followed Sanders over the past two college football seasons.” He claims that pre-draft reports suggesting Sanders “tanked interviews,” “wasn’t prepared,” and “was too cocky” were “slanderous statements” that “unjustly harmed” Sanders’ reputation and caused the Plaintiff “emotional distress and trauma.”
The complaint includes allegations of collusion under the Sherman Antitrust Act, Civil Rights violations, and claims of emotional distress and deceptive consumer practices. It seeks not only financial compensation, but also a formal acknowledgment from the NFL, a retraction and apology, and reforms to ensure a merit-based draft process.
CBS Sports insider Jonathan Jones reported that Sanders’ fall reflected how he handled pre-draft evaluations, but this fan believes something deeper is at play. He says Sanders’ treatment left him with “frustration, disappointment, and psychological harm as a fan.”
The NFL has not responded publicly to the lawsuit.
