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Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders was pulled over for speeding.
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders was ticketed for speeding, raising questions about his judgment as he competes for the starting job.
Sanders was pulled over shortly after midnight on June 17, clocked at 101 mph — 41 miles over the posted limit. The former Colorado standout received a citation for the offense.
While speeding isn’t the most serious of infractions, Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com said the incident should serve as a reality check for Sanders as he navigates life in the NFL.
“Sanders, who can fight the ticket or pay the $250 fine, still could’ve killed himself or someone else at that speed, and he’s lucky no one got hurt. It’s why this incident should be an enormous wakeup call for him,” Cabot said. “The Browns are evaluating everything their players do, and the citation goes on the minus side of the ledger. Speeding is one thing, but going 40 mph over the speed limit on a highway after midnight — during rookie orientation — is another.”
Cabot noted that the Browns are aware of the incident but are unlikely to impose any punishment.
Shedeur Sanders Has Been Making Right Moves With Browns
Sanders’ recent speeding incident was a disappointing misstep at a time when he had been steadily earning respect in Cleveland. Despite sliding to the fifth round of the draft, he has made a strong early impression, showing maturity and the right mindset both on and off the field.
“I think everyone was surprised to see him go to the fifth round, but he’s come to camp and OTAs with a great attitude,” Browns star Myles Garrett said recently. “He’s a hard-working guy; he has a great head on his shoulders. And, you know, he’s always positive, always optimistic, always keeps a smile on his face, and you like going to work with people who have that kind of attitude.”
Beyond the field, Sanders has focused on making a positive impact in the community, visiting schools and participating in youth camps to connect with fans and inspire the next generation.
“That’s why I find joy and happiness going to different schools and being able just to talk to them and see the joy in their face because they followed the journey,” Sanders said during rookie minicamp. “So even through everything, whenever it was going crazy, wild, negative, everything, my happiness was going there. So that’s what I always resort to.”
Shedeur Sanders Taking Patient Approach With Browns
The Browns have not unveiled a depth chart or given any hints on where their quarterbacks stack up. Sanders is competing with fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, as well as veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett.
However, Sanders has primarily functioned as the No. 4 quarterback, seeing limited action with or against the starters. But he’s not using that as an excuse and is taking a patient approach as he looks to work his way up the depth chart.
“My goal is to be the best teammate and to be as polished as I can be in every aspect,” Sanders said. “I view things as I got time. I got time to be able to grow and mature and be able to understand the ins and outs of the defenses and be able to get the good insight from the vets in the room.
“So, I look at it as a plus. I got time to actually be able to really have a great understanding and whenever it’s time for me to play, then it’s time for me to play. But I’m not looking too far in the future about all that. I’m looking [at] every day in practice. … I’m focused on the small things and over time the big things will happen.”
Sanders and the Browns’ rookies will report to training camp on July 18.
J.R. DeGroote JR DeGroote is a staff writer for Heavy.com, where they have been covering the NFL, NBA, and trending sports stories since 2019. More about J.R. DeGroote
