Shedeur Sanders found himself at the center of a $100 million legal claim after a fan held the NFL accountable for causing emotional distress connected to his drafting.

An unexpected turn of events saw Shedeur Sanders drop to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, prompting a lawsuit by a Colorado supporter who alleges that the NFL's management of the quarterback's drafting process led to his emotional suffering.

Using the pseudonym "John Doe," the individual filed the lawsuit in a federal court in Georgia, accusing the NFL of orchestrating a biased narrative that damaged Sanders' reputation and caused psychological harm to the plaintiff, a dedicated sports enthusiast.

The lawsuit contends that media reports labeling Sanders as unprepared, cocky, and unsuccessful in interviews constituted defamatory remarks that unfairly influenced public opinion and contributed to his decline on draft day.

The plaintiff argues that these portrayals were both harmful and racially motivated, citing alleged violations of the Civil Rights Act.

The legal action further asserts that the NFL violated the Sherman Antitrust Act by claiming that teams colluded to manipulate the drafting procedure and diminish Sanders' value.

Demanding $100 million in punitive damages, the plaintiff seeks a formal acknowledgment from the league regarding the emotional distress caused, a public apology to Sanders, and the retraction of the allegedly defamatory comments.

In addition, the plaintiff calls for reforms to ensure that future draft selections are solely based on merit.

According to the lawsuit, Doe is a devoted football fan from Colorado who closely followed Sanders' collegiate journey and believes that the draft outcome led to "frustration, disappointment, and psychological harm" as a supporter.

The NFL has not released any statements regarding the legal claim.

Despite being initially predicted as a top-three pick, Sanders was eventually chosen as the 144th overall pick by the Cleveland Browns. Despite the lower selection, he quickly became a fan favorite, with his No. 12 jersey topping rookie sales charts.

Defending the draft pick, Browns' general manager Andrew Berry explained that they felt Sanders was undervalued considering his potential. Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III criticized the team's quarterback situation, suggesting that Deshaun Watson's contract added to the potential for dysfunction.