Colorado head coach Deion Sanders said he was proud of his son, Shedeur, after he made his NFL debut for the Cleveland Browns last week. The former NFL star and current head coach of the Buffaloes expressed confidence in Shedeur’s abilities and acknowledged the challenges new players face in transitioning to the professional level. ‘I know the fight behind the fight,’ Sanders told reporters on Tuesday. ‘I know what’s been transpiring behind the curtains, and I’m just proud of him. Because he’s not just saying the right things, he’s doing and living the right things. That’s just who he is.’
With quarterback Dillon Gabriel in concussion protocol,Sanders is expected to start for the Browns when they face the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Deion hadn’t decided if he would make the trip for his son’s first NFL start. ‘I’m so focused on what we have at hand,’ the coach said. ‘I’m not thinking about that, although I just got off the phone with him.’
Sanders, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, had a hunch that Shedeur could make his NFL debut against the Baltimore Ravens last week. However, he admitted the debut was not the way he anticipated. ‘I thought the Ravens would have played better early on to provoke (Shed, Shedeur) getting in,’ Deion said. ‘I didn’t want him to get in by injury, because I’m fond of Dillon, and I want him to be successful as well.’
The 22-year-old quarterback struggled in his NFL debut, completing just four of 16 passes for 47 yards, while throwing an interception and being sacked twice. Deion was not surprised by Shedeur’s performance, noting that new players often face inconsistencies. ‘I knew it was going to be some inconsistencies of a lot of things, because I know football,’ Deion said.
The Browns, currently struggling offensively, are hoping that Sanders can provide a spark to their struggling offense. With an average of just 16.2 points per game and 257.3 yards per game, the team is looking for a boost. The Browns will take on the Raiders on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET.