Browns QB Shedeur Sanders' NFL debut was hindered by distressing personal updates

Alex Kirschenbaum

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Browns QB Shedeur Sanders' NFL debut hampered by troubling personal news image

TL;DR

  • Shedeur Sanders' home was burglarized during his NFL debut with the Cleveland Browns.
  • Sanders, son of Deion Sanders, started the second half at quarterback after Dillon Gabriel's injury.
  • Home burglaries targeting athletes are a growing concern, with other NFL stars also affected.
  • Sanders is expected to start again next week against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Shedeur Sanders, son of Deion Sanders, a Hall of Fame NFL cornerback and nine-year MLB outfielder, participated in his inaugural regular season NFL game on Sunday. His team, the Cleveland Browns, named him their starting quarterback for the second half after signal caller Dillon Gabriel entered the league's concussion protocol.

MORE: Shannon Sharpe blasts Browns for Shedeur Sanders' decision amid NFL debut

But what should have been a triumphant moment (regardless of his on-field performance) was quickly clouded by a disturbing development off the field.

Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN reports that Shedeur Sanders' home was broken into during the game, a 23-16 defeat. Sanders connected on just 4-of-16 passes for 47 total yards. He was picked off once and sacked twice.

A worrying trend

Oyefusi points out that home burglaries targeting active athletes have become an almost rampant issue throughout professional sports. Recent incidents include Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Burrow, and Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl winners Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, all of whom experienced home invasions while playing games in approximately the past twelve months.

According to Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, Sanders is slated to receive another opportunity as a starter in the upcoming week's game against the Las Vegas Raiders, assuming Gabriel doesn't successfully pass concussion protocol before then.

Sanders, chosen 144th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft from Colorado, was anticipated to be a developmental player for a team that then had multiple quarterbacks seemingly ahead of him.

For now, at last, he's the guy — at least in the short-term.

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Staff Writer