Chedur Sanders had little time to mourn while his father was fighting bladder cancer this spring. Instead, Deion Sanders sent a clear message to his son as he prepared for his first NFL training camp after being selected in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns.
“Dad is one person. He handles it. It was like, ‘You have to focus on what you can control… On and off the field, you experience everything. You have to become a certain type of person to handle everything thrown at you, and you can only rise to the occasion,” Chedur said.
Monday marked Chedur’s first interview since his father’s announcement on July 28 that his bladder was removed, successfully battling an aggressive form of cancer. Chedur returned to practice after missing Saturday due to arm pain.
The first eight months of 2025 have been a rollercoaster for Shedeur Sanders. Once projected as a first-round draft pick, he dropped to the fifth round, selected 144th overall by the Browns. The team is easing him into the lineup, with veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett competing for playing time. Third-round pick Dilongabriel has also taken first-team snaps.
So far, Shedeur hasn’t played with the first-team offense but has frequently faced first-team defense during second and third-team plays. “The defense mixes players well, so sometimes you have a rookie on the line or DBs, but it doesn’t bother me,” he said, expressing readiness to make the most of his opportunities.
Deion Sanders visited his son at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ training camp on July 23, but his attention shifted when Coach Prime came to Cleveland. Chedur requests his father to stay away from the field to avoid undue attention as he works to earn his snaps. “I don’t want him to see me get a few reps and cheer me on like a proud dad… I know I have a lot to prove,” he explained.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Reese haven’t decided how to divide snaps for the upcoming joint practice and preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, especially with hamstring injuries sidelining Pickett and Gabriel. The team plans to favor veterans in co-workouts, with rookies gaining valuable preseason game experience.
“You don’t wear a red jersey in practice, so it’s a different setup, but preseason games show how players adapt in real-time,” Stefanski said. Chedur showcased one of the best throws during Monday’s two-minute drill, completing a 28-yard pass on fourth and 17.
Report by Associated Press.
Fan Take: This story highlights the resilience and determination of a young quarterback navigating the pressures of professional football while facing personal challenges. For NFL fans, Chedur Sanders’ journey is inspiring and could signal the rise of a new talent who learned to handle adversity both on and off the field, making the sport even more compelling to watch.
