Shedeur Sanders, the Cleveland Browns’ rookie quarterback, has asked his Hall of Fame father, Deion Sanders, to stay away from the team’s training camp. During a media session after missing Saturday’s practice due to arm soreness, Sanders explained that he wants to focus on his development without distractions, noting that having a legendary father is both a gift and a curse.
The 25-year-old quarterback, who played for the Colorado Buffaloes before entering the NFL, is currently listed as the fourth-string quarterback on the Browns’ depth chart, although his official designation has not been made. He has yet to have any snaps with the first-team offense, but has faced the first-team defense while taking snaps with the second and third-team offense.
In his media session, Sanders emphasized that he is focused on his own growth and not ready for his father’s presence at the training camp. ‘I don’t want him coming to see me right now because I want to get to where I want to go, then for him to see me,’ Sanders said. ‘I don’t want him to see me get a couple reps, and he’s cheering like a good dad. Like, nah, you can’t be proud of me right now. I’ve got to get to where I’m going, and I know it’s a lot I’ve got to do to get there.’
Sanders also mentioned that having a legendary father is both a gift and a curse. ‘We know how everybody would take it, as taking away from the team, with my own dad showing up. It’s a gift and a curse at the same time,’ he added.
Sanders expressed hope that Friday’s preseason game against the Carolina Panthers will provide an opportunity to showcase his skills. ‘Truthfully, I don’t care what O-line I go out there with. It could be ones, twos, threes, whatever the situation is. And I know Friday when the game is, if I’m with twos, if I’m with threes. It don’t matter to me. I’m just ready to get down and get to doing what I could.’