Shedeur Sanders delivered the best game of his young NFL career in the Cleveland Browns' Week 14 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. The rookie quarterback was sharp, throwing for a season-high 364 yards and adding three passing touchdowns and one rushing score for four total touchdowns.
Despite the performance that earned him the Browns' starting job for the rest of the season, one headline-grabbing moment had nothing to do with the scoreboard.
In a viral social media moment known as "Thonggate," a brief camera angle as Sanders was tackled appeared to show a small strap sticking out of the back of his uniform pants. The internet immediately speculated that he was wearing a thong, and the clip spread quickly as jokes and memes piled up.
Sanders later addressed the frenzy in a conversation with his brother Shilo Sanders, confirming the truth was far less scandalous.
Here is what actually happened with Sanders.
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Shedeur Sanders 'thong' photo, explained
During the Titans-Browns game on Dec. 7, 2025, a clip circulated online showing Sanders being tackled. When he hit the ground and his uniform pants shifted, a strap of material was visible on his lower back. The angle and the strap's shape led many fans on social media to immediately joke and speculate that he was wearing a thong.
Sanders himself addressed the issue in a video conversation with his brother, Shilo Sanders. He explained that due to a back injury, the visible strap was actually medical tape used for support.
Shilo had to call Shedeur and ask him a very important question 😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/t9QfZestDA
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) December 9, 2025
"Come on, bro. You forgot I have a back injury, right?" Sanders said. "So I get my back taped. But that is crazy that it did look like that. That’s funny, though."
The brief, two-second clip became an immediate internet phenomenon and the jokes persisted well after the quarterback’s clarification.
MORE: Shedeur Sanders has best game by rookie QB in 2025
Shedeur Sanders injury update
Though Sanders has been dealing with a back injury, it has not kept him out of games since becoming the starter.
Shedeur Sanders shuts down the “thong allegations” 😂
— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) December 10, 2025
(h/t Shilo Sanders/YT) pic.twitter.com/ptYqY6s87y
After the Browns' loss, Kevin Stefanski named Sanders the starting quarterback for the remainder of the season. Barring a step back, expect No. 12 to be out there for Cleveland.
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