STWF Sports|Cleveland, OH|Nov. 20, 2025 — One week after a rocky NFL debut, Shedeur Sanders will officially take the reins as the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback — and no one is cheering louder than his family.
Sanders, a fifth-round pick expected to spend much of the season developing behind the scenes, was thrust unexpectedly into action during Cleveland’s 23–16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens when fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel exited with a concussion. What followed was a baptism by fire: Sanders completed just 4 of 16 passes for 47 yards and threw an interception in a performance he openly admitted was far from acceptable.
“I don’t think I played good. I don’t think I played good at all,” Sanders said bluntly after the game.
Now, with Gabriel still in concussion protocol, the Browns have turned to the 23-year-old to lead them into Sunday’s matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. And while critics have been quick to voice doubts, the Sanders family is offering unwavering support.
Family Voices Their Support
On Wednesday, Shedeur’s sister Shelomi Sanders — a guard for Alabama A&M — reposted the Browns’ announcement naming Shedeur the starter.
“Show me sum, boss man,” she wrote, adding a fire emoji as she celebrated her brother’s opportunity.
She also shared a motivational message from their father, Deion Sanders, who texted words of encouragement rooted in faith and resilience.
“The trials, tribulations & struggles that u face are only allowed to build u & not kill u… You wouldn’t have a testimony without the consistency of test.”
#CoachPrime
Sanders’ mother, Pilar Sanders, joined the chorus of support, reposting the news alongside lyrics from Drake and Kanye West’s “Glow”:
“Watch out for me, I’m about to glow.”
While Deion Sanders hasn’t publicly commented since the job became official, he described being moved to tears watching Shedeur take his first NFL snaps last week.
“I know the fight behind the fight,” the Colorado coach said Tuesday.
“I’m just proud of him… He’s not just saying the right things, he’s doing and living the right things.”
Shedeur’s Opportunity Comes Amid a Rocky Stretch for Coach Prime
The moment is significant not only for Shedeur, but also for the Sanders family as a whole.
Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes are enduring another difficult season, sitting at 3–7 and facing their second losing campaign in three years. Criticism has mounted despite the coach signing a five-year, $54 million extension earlier this year.
Still, Coach Prime remains adamant that patience is required.
“You’ve got the right man… Just give me an opportunity and a little more time,” he told reporters.
Like father, like son — confidence runs deep in the Sanders bloodline.
Shedeur Embraces the Moment
Despite a difficult debut, the young quarterback radiated belief in his ability to lead the Browns.
“I know our fans have a lot of expectations… I’d be doing a disservice to myself and to the organization if I didn’t feel like I am the guy,” Sanders said Wednesday.
Cleveland will need him to be. At 6–4, the Browns remain firmly in the AFC playoff hunt but are dealing with injuries across the roster, unstable quarterback play, and one of the league’s toughest remaining schedules.
Sanders now steps into a high-pressure situation — one he wasn’t expected to face this early. His poise will be tested, and his ability to rebound from early adversity will be scrutinized.
But inside the Sanders household, there is no panic. Only belief, encouragement, and the same message Deion Sanders has preached for decades:
Embrace the moment. Respond to adversity. Prove people wrong.
On Sunday, Shedeur will get his first real chance.
