This isn’t exactly the kind of attention Shedeur Sanders was hoping for.
Just days after being clocked going 101 mph in a 60 mph zone—his second reported speeding incident in under two weeks—the former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback finally addressed the situation.
But rather than speaking at a press conference or releasing a formal statement, Sanders chose an unexpected setting: the dugout at David Njoku’s Celebrity Softball Game in Eastlake, Ohio.
During a casual exchange with rapper Doe Boy, Sanders took a more reflective tone.
“I’ve made some bad decisions,” he admitted with a smile. “But I can take responsibility for them—and I’m learning from it.”
It marked a noticeable change in tone—one that felt necessary after a rough stretch for Shedeur Sanders’ public image.
Let’s be honest: this isn’t a great look.
Sanders is in the thick of a three-way quarterback battle in Cleveland, vying for a roster spot as a fifth-round pick in a room that includes Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel.
In this scenario, every rep counts. Every impression matters.
But now, instead of headlines focusing on Sanders’ NFL potential, the narrative has taken a sharp detour—quite literally.
Court records reveal that Sanders has received not one but two speeding tickets in recent weeks, and even missed a court appearance for one of them. The first citation—91 mph in a 65—came on the final day of Browns OTAs. The second—101 mph in a 60—occurred during rookie orientation.
That kind of trend inevitably sparks concerns—not just about judgment, but also about dedication, whether fair or not.
As someone who defended Sanders earlier this week amid OTA scrutiny, this is disheartening.
I argued that June minicamp performances shouldn’t lead to overreactions, that it was far too early to anoint Dillon Gabriel or count Sanders out.
But when you’re a late-round rookie trying to prove yourself, two speeding violations and the off-field noise that comes with them are the kind of distractions you simply can’t afford.
To his credit, Sanders seems to get that. At the softball event, his smile remained, but so did the weight of the moment. This was a young quarterback trying to take responsibility and move forward.
And not everything in Ohio was negative.
Fans flocked to Sanders, including one young boy who shouted, “You’re QB1! Nobody else but you!” Sanders grinned and responded, “I need him to be my motivator.” He laughed, signed autographs, and even ripped an RBI double—offering a glimpse of the two-sport athleticism he inherited from his Hall of Fame dad.
This is still the Shedeur Sanders that Colorado fans remember—the quarterback who brought relevance back to Buffaloes football.
But if he wants to win over Cleveland and earn the starting job, he’ll need to show more than just talent. He’ll need to prove he’s someone the team can rely on.
So far, the Browns haven’t said much publicly. Reports indicate they expect Sanders to handle the traffic citations, but there’s no question the coaching staff is paying close attention.
They have to. In the NFL, what you do off the field matters just as much as your arm strength, dependability, and leadership.
Sanders still has time to turn things around. Rookies report to training camp on July 18, and between now and then, he’ll need to demonstrate growth—not just in the film room, but in how he carries himself every day.
One quote can’t undo the damage of two speeding tickets. But perhaps, it marks the beginning of a more focused and mature chapter.