Shedeur Sanders’ Pro Bowl nod, which has stirred up the proverbial hornet’s nest, came after Drake Maye and the New England Patriots made the Super Bowl. The AFC needed a replacement at QB, and they decided to select Sanders.
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The Cleveland Browns quarterback, who started in seven games, had finished the season with 7 TDs, 10 INTs, and 1400 passing yards. As you may have noticed, they aren’t exactly the strongest stats for a Pro Bowler. That’s why many feel that Shedeur got the nod due to his popularity.
After all, he has got 3 million Instagram followers and consistently ranks among the highest-searched athletes online. It’s a hard argument to deny. His brother highlighted that even. In a recent video on his YouTube page, Shilo Sanders joked that Shedeur is an influential power figure similar to Barack Obama and Martin Luther King Jr.
“They said you’re the new Obama,” Shilo told his brother. “Bro, you’re like a public power figure, like Martin Luther King, they said.”
“Alright, bro, now you’re going too far,” Shedeur responded. “Man, they say that, bro. I don’t even know how to think about that… I know I’m a leader, but up to his level?”
The response from Shedeur was level-headed and humble. Shilo is correct, to a certain degree, though. Shedeur is a powerful public figure, considering how things are measured today. He may not have as much influence as Obama or King, but something about him resonates with the average fan, and they love him because of it.
That’s why Shilo reminded his brother that he has a lot more pull than what the quarterback himself believes. “Man, you do have a lot of following, bro. You do have a lot of impact on the community,” he said.
It was a reminder that Shedeur appreciated. He knows that the fans love him, and he loves them back, too. This season, he ran all sorts of community events, including one where he gave away a car to a family in need.
At the end of the day, Shedeur will always be a massive public figure as long as he’s an NFL QB. He’s the son of one of the most popular football players of all time. He came through college during the introduction of NIL, making some serious money before he even made it to the pros.
It’s not just about nepotism and money, though. Shedeur is also a great guy. He’s charismatic, funny, and seems like a joy to be around.
The Browns got a good one, and the fans know it, too. Even if Shedeur may not deserve the Pro Bowl selection because of his stats, his influence is impossible to ignore, and many fans will love to see him there.
