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Countless NFL fans were surprised as they fell from Shedeur Sanders' first pick to No. 144 in this year's NFL Draft, but one fan was so shocked that he has taken legal action.
An anonymous quarterback fan filed a $100 million lawsuit against the NFL in the fall.
The plaintiff is a self-identified Georgia native and is a fan of the University of Colorado Sanders College team. The lawsuit alleges that Sanders leaked statements that he “tanked interviews”, “not ready” and “too cheeky”, which hurt the player's reputation and hurt his final draft position.
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The lawsuit suggested that the situation violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
“The decision made regarding Sanders may have been affected by racism and violated his rights as a player,” the lawsuit states.
Sanders' slides during the draft prompted a passionate racial debate on social media, including the X's interaction between ESPN host Stephen A. Smith and Barstool founder Dave Portnoy. Former Democrat Jamal Bowman suggested that Sanders slides because “America continues to fear strong black men.”
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But the first overall pick in this year's draft was former Miami quarterback Camward, like Black, like Sanders. In fact, the last three players to take first place in the NFL Draft were black quarterbacks.
Still, as a result of the slide, the plaintiffs allegedly experienced “a deliberate infringement of emotional distress and trauma.”
“The NFL's actions and the spread of defamatory statements have caused serious emotional distress and trauma to plaintiffs, causing frustration, disappointment and psychological harm as a fan,” the lawsuit says. “The NFL may be engaged in unfair practices by misrepresenting the nature of the drafting process and the qualifications of players.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the NFL for comment.
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On Tuesday before the draft, NFL media released a summary of the top 18 prospects in this year's class.
Sanders' section included comments from an anonymous assistant coach who said that Sanders was “the worst official interview I've ever done in my life.” He takes unnecessary bags. He doesn't play on time. He has horrible body language. He blames his teammates.
The anonymous longtime executive said, “Our interviews didn't work. He wants to tell you what he's going to do and what's best for him. He makes you feel small.”
Colorado Buffalo quarterback Chedure Sanders speaks with ESPN after the University of Colorado NFL showcase at the CU indoor practice facility. (Michael Ciaglo/Imagn image)
However, Sanders and his family have not expressed any such complaints about the quarterback draft slide. The quarterback was filmed in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns.
Sanders is expected to compete for the team's starting quarterback job with fellow rookie Dilongabriel, who was taken before Sanders in the third round.
The team announced Tuesday that Sanders will wear a Jersey 12.
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