In a strange twist of fate, a dedicated Colorado Buffaloes fan has sued the NFL for $100 million after the 2025 NFL Draft. The plaintiff, who filed the lawsuit under the name John Doe, claims the league committed "intentional infliction of emotional distress and trauma" when former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders dropped to the fifth round.

Though the case stands little to no chance in court, it has gained attention throughout the sports world for its obscene allegations and defense of the young quarterback.

Lawsuit Claims Slander, Collusion, and Racial Bias

Colorado Fan Files $100 Million Lawsuit Against NFL After Shedeur Colorado Fan Files $100 Million Lawsuit Against NFL After Shedeur
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Per the documents submitted (via BVM Sports), the fan not only requests $100 million in punitive damages but also an open apology and complete retraction of "slanderous statements" made against Sanders throughout the NFL Draft procedure.

These statements were said to have included negative reports from scouts, specifically one in which Sanders was accused of being "unprepared" in a meeting with the New York Giants.

The suit also claims that these complaints led to Sanders' draft slide, indicating that there was a possibility of collusion between teams—a supposed violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

The plaintiff went so far as to claim that Shedeur "may have" been racially discriminated against, citing the Civil Rights Act in the complaint.

Shedeur Sanders' Draft Slide: From Star QB to Day 3 Pick

Following a standout senior year at Colorado, Shedeur Sanders was set to be drafted in the first round. His resume was robust: 4,134 passing yards, 37 touchdowns, Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors, and the coveted Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. Sanders led Colorado to its best record in almost a decade.

But his stock fell through rumors and reports about his pre-draft interviews—namely, with the Giants. Though he excelled in college, many NFL insiders proclaimed him a likely pro backup. Other quarterbacks were chosen by teams, such as Ole Miss's Jaxson Dart, whom the Giants selected at No. 25 overall.

NFL and Cleveland Browns Respond

While Shedeur's fifth-round draft pick was a surprise to most, the Cleveland Browns seem to be upbeat about his future, according to Sports Illustrated. General Manager Andrew Berry spoke about the pick at a press conference, saying:

"We felt like it got to a point where he was probably mispriced relative to the draft. Really, the acquisition cost was pretty light, and it's a guy that we think can outproduce his draft slot."

Cleveland will start its rookie mini-camp later this week, where Sanders will be joined by third-round selection Dillon Gabriel and other prospects in their first NFL sessions.

The Legal Case Won't Likely Stand

Legal professionals concur that the suit has little or no merit. Emotional distress resulting from a player's draft standing isn't a basis for damages, much less on a $100 million level. The slander claim will be hard to prove, particularly concerning the subjective nature of pre-draft reviews and media guesswork.