Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders’ NFL Draft night took a stunning turn when a prankster disrupted his watch party with a fake call, pretending to be an NFL team representative. The former Colorado star is waiting to be picked, and his father, Deion, has been left embarrassed.
The prank caller had a brief, cryptic conversation with Sanders before saying, “Have to wait a little longer,” leaving him perplexed. The moment added to the evening’s disappointment, as Sanders, who was initially projected as a first-round pick, remained undrafted. His phone number had been leaked, and the call was likely a prank. Some viewers on ESPN were left frustrated with the broadcast, which focused heavily on Sanders.
Sanders had been live-streaming the event to share his draft experience with fans, but the stream was deleted after the prank call. His father was among those watching along, and was clearly in disbelief at his son’s slide.
As the draft continued into its later rounds, Sanders’ unexpected slide highlighted the unpredictable nature of the NFL Draft process. Despite this, his resilience and talent suggest a promising future ahead.
Sanders had a standout college career, throwing for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns in the 2024 season, earning him the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
Sanders, surrounded by family and friends, including his father, Deion, had been anticipating a first-round pick before losing millions with his slide. The evening’s challenges and the prank call added to the disappointment, leaving viewers with only a glimpse of the emotional rollercoaster.
His impressively powerful performance on the gridiron sent his draft stock soaring, with ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. touting him as a “guaranteed high first-round pick.”
Speculation swirled about possible suitors, with eyes on teams such as the Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints, who ultimately passed him up in favor of other talents.
NFL scouts have voiced their reservations, pinpointing concerns surrounding Sanders’ finesse in arm power and the quickness of his decision-making. There’s chatter that his public image, burnished by his ties to NFL legend Deion Sanders, might be skewing team evaluations.
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The unfolding drama of the NFL Draft starkly illustrates its unpredictable stakes for all athletes involved. But it was the cruel twist of a hoax phone call that underscored Sanders’ rollercoaster experience, as a supposed NFL team made false promises—a stinging reminder of the draft’s capricious nature.
Standing in the limelight, Sanders took the turn of events in stride, but the hoax highlights the oft-bewildering ride faced by top-tier prospects like himself. Notwithstanding the draft night setback, Sanders appears undeterred, indicating his pro football ambitions are very much alive and kicking.
