“It’s About the Color of His Skin”: Ryan Clark Calls Out Racial Bias Against Shedeur Sanders

Shedeur Sanders, one of the most talked-about names heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, is making headlines again — but this time, it’s not just about his game. The Colorado quarterback, son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, is battling more than just draft rankings; he's facing sharp criticism, with some labeling him "arrogant." And according to ESPN analyst Ryan Clark, there’s an uncomfortable truth behind it.

Ryan Clark Calls Out Racial Undertones in Shedeur Sanders' Criticism

In a recent episode of ESPN's First Take, Ryan Clark didn’t hold back. He pointed out that the way Sanders is being portrayed goes beyond typical draft analysis.




"They plant these certain reports, and you do hear these certain things, and you hear the word 'arrogant,'" Clark said. "Why is he arrogant? Because he won't walk into the meeting and bend the knee, or he won't sit in the meeting and question himself or his abilities or his knowledge and experience in the game. I don't believe that's arrogance."

Clark went even deeper, suggesting that Sanders' confidence is being unfairly weaponized against him, hinting at a racial bias that still lingers in the NFL.

"It's not just about him being Deion Sanders' son. It's about the bravado he carries. It's about the fact that he looks a certain way. It is about the fact that the color of his skin sometimes at the position can be questioned. And I believe Shedeur Sanders is going to have to deal with that until he gets on the field," Clark added.

Shedeur Sanders Stays Confident Despite Backlash

Despite the noise, Sanders isn’t backing down. At the NFL Scouting Combine last month, he radiated self-assurance, making it clear he’s ready to shake up the league.

"We went from Jackson State to Colorado and changed two programs back-to-back. You don't think I could come to an NFL franchise and change a program again? It's history, it's always going to repeat itself," Sanders said.

His words reflect the bold mentality you'd expect from a top-tier quarterback prospect, but it seems not everyone sees it that way.

Interestingly, while Sanders once stood as a strong contender for the No. 1 pick, his draft stock has been slipping in recent weeks. Scouts who previously placed him neck-and-neck with Cam Ward are now sliding him down their rankings, with some even placing Jaxson Dart ahead of him.

The question is: will the NFL see him for the game-changer he believes he is, or will outdated biases cloud his draft journey?

Only time will tell.

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