“The Colonel Was Rejected 1,009 Times”: KFC’s Post-Draft Message to Shedeur Sanders Goes Viral

When you’ve been hailed as a generational quarterback talent, dropping to the fifth round of the NFL Draft is no ordinary setback — it’s embarrassing, confidence-denting, and deflating. We can’t help but feel for Shedeur Sanders. Apparently, KFC feels the same.

For the former Buffs star, this year’s draft turned into a patience marathon he never imagined he’d have to run. When the Cleveland Browns finally selected him with the 144th pick, the young quarterback wasted no time expressing appreciation. “Thank you, God,” was Shedeur’s simple yet profound message on X.

For many of his well-wishers, the quarterback’s tweet heralded relief after the shocking slide and the prank calls that would have broken anyone’s spirit. Fans flocked to the comment section of his post, showering Shedeur with positive thoughts and messages. That’s where KFC chimed in to give him a confidence boost.

Yes, fast food giant Kentucky Fried Chicken. Harland Sanders, founder of the fast food restaurant chain, famously faced over a thousand rejections before anyone gave his fried chicken recipe a chance. That’s what the company highlighted as they replied to Shedeur’s post on X, dropping a gem of wisdom that quickly went viral with nearly 460k views and 16k likes at the time of writing.

“The Colonel was rejected 1,009 times before finally landing our famous original recipe. Sometimes all a Sanders needs is a little time to cook. Congrats Shedeur!!” penned the restaurant chain.

The Colonel was rejected 1,009 times before finally landing our famous original recipe. Sometimes all a Sanders needs is a little time to cook. Congrats Shedeur!!

— KFC (@kfc) April 27, 2025

The message from KFC’s social media is layered and highlights qualities such as resilience, hope, and a sprinkle of humor. It’s fitting, given the Sanders family’s deep-rooted connection to the chain.

Back in 2023, Deion Sanders starred in a TV commercial for KFC. A year later, Shedeur and Shilo Sanders signed an NIL deal with them, making the Sanders clan part of promoting the restaurant’s new Smash’d Bowl.

The Colonel’s story is equally legendary and fits the quarterback’s storyline as well. To link that tale of perseverance to Shedeur’s journey was not just clever PR; it was a layered reply that struck an emotional chord with fans.

Unsurprisingly, many praised the brand. “I’m not a huge KFC guy, but I may have to go grab a bucket after this tweet,” wrote a fan on “X”. “I will be eating more KFC after this post,” remarked another.

Others, meanwhile, couldn’t stop praising KFC’s social media admin for posting this banger of a tweet. “Great post, admin,” praised a netizen. “The brands are learning,” commented another.

As the dust settles on one of the most emotional weekends for the Sanders clan, it’s clear that Shedeur isn’t just carrying the pressure of being a Sanders. He’s carrying the promise of turning every slight, every doubter, into seasoning for his eventual success, just like how the Colonel did.