Warren Moon hits Shedeur Sanders with harsh truth- “You've got to be respectful... that's what he has to understand”

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / May 3, 2025, 21:33 IST

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After a shocking slide in the 2025 NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders faces tough love from legends like Warren Moon and Cam Newton. Their message was to ditch the ego, embrace humility. With questions swirling about his attitude and leadership, Sanders enters a crowded Browns QB room needing to prove he’s more than hype and ready to earn respect the hard way.

Warren Moon hits Shedeur Sanders with harsh truth- “You've got to be respectful... that's what he has to understand”

Warren Moon warns Shedeur Sanders to stay humble and earn respect in NFL (Image via: Getty Images)

The NFL Draft wasn’t supposed to go this way for Shedeur Sanders. With a famous last name, eye-popping stats, and all the media buzz a college QB could want, he was expected to go early. Instead, he slipped to Day 3, landing in Cleveland not as a franchise savior, but as a backup with baggage. And now, former legends are calling him out not for his game, but for his attitude.

Veterans warn Shedeur to tone it down

Warren Moon didn’t sugarcoat it when asked about Sanders’ draft slide at the Kentucky Derby. Speaking with Kay Adams, the Hall of Famer delivered a stinging truth:

“You can’t act like a cornerback when you’re playing quarterback… You’ve got to be respectful. That’s what he has to understand.”
It was a polite way of saying drop the ego, or the league will drop you.
Cam Newton, a former MVP known for his own larger-than-life personality, echoed the warning on his podcast:
“Lead with work, not clout. As a QB, you’re the CEO of that franchise.”
The quarterbacks aren’t judged on style, they’re judged on substance. And right now, Shedeur’s image is louder than his impact.
The Browns didn’t spend big to get Sanders, he’s a Day 3 flier, joining a crowded QB room with Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and rookie Dillon Gabriel. Deshaun Watson remains on the roster, but with his Achilles injury, he’s unlikely to play in 2025.
Still, Sanders won’t get handed anything. Rumors suggest his pre-draft interviews turned teams off, with whispers of arrogance and an inflated sense of importance. That kind of energy might play well on social media, but in an NFL locker room, it’s a fast track to the bench.

Will Sanders rise or just ride the hype?

Rich Eisen and the NFL Network Draft Crew React to Shedeur Sanders Going Undrafted

There’s no denying Shedeur’s talent. The arm strength, the athleticism, the potential—it’s all there. But in the pros, potential only gets you so far. Respect has to be earned, not assumed.
Also Read: Vikings NFL Draft strategy under fire, ignores defense for wide receiver Tai Felton
If Sanders can tune out the noise, take the advice of veterans like Moon and Newton, and let his play do the talking, he might still write his own script. Otherwise, his NFL story could end before it ever really begins.
Time to trade the spotlight for sweat. Because in this league, you earn your respect or you don’t stick around.

About the Author

TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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