Shedeur Sanders’ Fan Sues NFL For $100 Million, Alleges Slander & ‘Infliction Of Emotional Distress’

Colorado Buffaloes star quarterback Shedeur Sanders‘ slide from a projected top-10 pick to the fifth round shocked the football world, but none as much as one anonymous Buffaloes fan. The fan filed a lawsuit this past week suing the NFL for $100 million in punitive damages, as well as apologies for the league’s statements and actions concerning Sanders.

The fan accused the NFL of violating the Sherman Antitrust Act (on the basis of collusion between teams), the Civil Rights Act and consumer protection laws, as well as intentional infliction of emotional distress and trauma; that is, causing him “frustration, disappointment and psychological harm as a fan.” I’m sure that sounds unfamiliar to sports fans.

The complaint itself is just four pages, filed ‘in forma pauperis,’ meaning the fan was financially unable to pay the official filing fee. With both an utter lack of evidence to support his claims and no financial means to see them through, the lawsuit isn’t going anywhere.

Even so, it says a lot about the media firestorm that’s followed Sanders for the past two years. Whether it’s the flashy watch or the number retirement, the accusations of nepotism, of flippancy or anything else.

Despite the slide, which saw him finally taken at No. 144 by the Cleveland Browns, Sanders has the best-selling jersey of any 2025 NFL rookie. He might become a starting quarterback, or he might crash and burn out of the league for exactly the reasons that dropped his draft stock. But it’s publicity. And any publicity is good publicity. Right?

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Article by Katherine Manz