Wake Up Call

Year after year, we see athletes complete their college years and enter the draft for their respective sports. We also see those kids who think too highly of themselves be humbled by their draft position. Now, I'm not saying it's deserved or not, but sometimes this might be the best thing for a young man or woman going into the next level.

The 2025 NFL draft has just wrapped up, and Shedeur Sanders of Colorado was finally drafted. He was expected to be a first-round selection! He claimed he was the best QB in the draft! He was and is self-proclaimed "Legendary." To his defense, his father was one of those legendary-type athletes. Drafted in 1989 at pick number 5 by the Atlanta Falcons, Deion Sanders made a name for himself in the NFL and even in MLB. He played for the Falcons, 49ers, Cowboys, Redskins, and Ravens. He also was initially drafted in the 1985 Major League Baseball draft by the Kansas City Royals but never signed with them. Instead, he opted to go to the New York Yankees in the 30th round of the 1988 draft. Eventually leaving the Yankees for the Braves in 1991, then to the Reds, Giants, and back to the Reds to close out a 9-year career. Very few have ever succeeded at this level by playing multi-sports. Only Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson come to mind as being extremely talented at both baseball and football.

Given Deion's illustrious career on and off the field, there was seemingly a sense of entitlement for his son Shedeur. I mean, what a flex! "I am the son of Neon Deion Sanders!" That alone would be enough to boost your confidence and even your acceptance by many. However, with some, we remember the flash and pizzazz of Deion in his prime, which earned him another nickname, "Prime" or "Prime-Time." Regardless of Deion's success, Shedeur seemed to relish in the spotlight. He is, no doubt, an exceptional athlete. You don't make it into D1 schools based solely on your last name. So we know the kid has talent. Looking at his stats from last year at Colorado, we know the kid can play well!

Is talent and fame enough to succeed in the game? As we can see, it takes much more than that. Maybe Shaddeur would have been drafted earlier had he played for a bigger school like Texas, Penn State, USC, or Alabama. Maybe Shaddeur would have been drafted earlier had he won the conference championship or even made the college football playoffs. Maybe he would have increased his draft stock had he won the natty! Or maybe he could have increased his stock had he been a more humble leader on and off the field. Settle down, kids, and earn your own spot. Be thankful for the opportunities you have and never rely solely on your name to get noticed. As if falling in the draft wasn't enough, he was drafted as the second quarterback to the Cleveland Browns.

I hope the kid balls out when he gets the chance. Maybe this will help him to be humble and play with a chip on his shoulder. Maybe now he knows that having "Sanders" on the back of his jersey isn't enough. It takes much more than a name and ability to compete at the next level.