Shedeur Sanders is under a spotlight brighter than ever. The Cleveland Browns quarterback can’t take a step without his actions-and even his words-being dissected. But now, the former Colorado star has an unlikely defender: NBC insider Mike Florio.
Until recently, coverage of Deion Sanders’ son focused solely on football. From his dramatic slide in the 2025 NFL Draft to the battle for the starting job in Cleveland, Sanders’ story was all about his professional journey.
That changed after he received two speeding tickets in quick succession. While the young QB faced heavy criticism, Florio argued that the backlash is overblown.
Florio Comes to Sanders’ Defense
Sanders was first pulled over on June 5 for driving 91 mph in a 60-mph zone. His second offense, just days later, clocked him at 101 mph in a similar zone. Florio acknowledged the recklessness but suggested critics should check their own driving records first: “Let he who has never crossed the 100 mph barrier cast the first stone.”
Florio argued that many drivers have, at some point, tested the limits of their cars and claimed that under controlled conditions, it doesn’t necessarily constitute danger. “I have no problem with someone testing out the gaskets and seeing if it can get to 100 mph and seeing what it feels like when it gets there,” he said.
He then drew a clear line between Sanders’ infractions and the 2024 incident involving Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice. “But if you’re doing it in a Rashee Rice setting, that’s irresponsible, that’s reckless, and that’s wrong,” Florio stated.
A Tale of Two Cases
In March 2024, Rice was allegedly racing another high-end sports car on a Dallas freeway when a crash involving four other vehicles left several people injured. Rice and his passengers reportedly fled the scene on foot.
Florio admitted he didn’t know the details of Sanders’ situation and acknowledged that his critics might see from his recent actions that Shedeur hasn’t learned the lessons that led him to slide to the 144th pick in the draft. However, he said there’s no comparison to what Rice did: “I say it’s apples and oranges.”
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