After a rollercoaster draft experience, Shedeur Sanders finally found an NFL home with the Cleveland Browns — but not without a dramatic fall. Once projected as a top-three pick, Sanders slid to Round 5 before hearing his name called by the Cleveland Browns on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft. Grateful for the opportunity, the former Colorado star kept it simple on X, posting, “Thank you GOD.”
What followed, though, was an unexpected turn. The pep talk Sanders received next came from a strange source: A fast-food chicken joint. And not just any chicken joint — the Colonel himself had some words of wisdom.
KFC Delivers a Message Shedeur Sanders — and NFL Fans — Will Never Forget
Shortly after Sanders’ post, KFC’s social media team seized the moment with a reply that immediately went viral:
The Colonel was rejected 1,009 times before finally landing our famous original recipe. Sometimes all a Sanders needs is a little time to cook. Congrats Shedeur!!
— KFC (@kfc) April 27, 2025
“The Colonel was rejected 1,009 times before finally landing our famous original recipe. Sometimes all a Sanders needs is a little time to cook. Congrats Shedeur!!”
NFL fans and fried chicken lovers alike couldn’t get enough of the crossover. “This is a hall of fame tweet,” one fan wrote, perfectly capturing the NFL X’s mood. Another added, “I’m not a huge KFC guy, but I may have to go grab a bucket after this tweet.”
Of course, not everyone could resist poking a little fun at the situation. One X user joked, “Sure, but the Colonel’s recipe wasn’t projected to go in the 1st round.” Still, the overwhelming reaction was positive, with another fan chiming in, “I will be eating more KFC after this post.”
It didn’t take long before the jokes about Sanders’ new nickname started rolling in, either. “Shedeur ‘Colonel’ Sanders bout to rip the league,” one fan posted, while another declared, “First ballot hall of fame tweet from the Colonel.”
1st ballot hall of fame tweet from the Colonel
— goodbye (@farewells) April 28, 2025
The creative momentum didn’t stop there. Some even pitched marketing ideas, with one fan replying, “If KFC puts Shedeur in an all-white suit and glasses for commercials, I will start eating their chicken again!”
In a moment that could have been filled with bitterness or frustration, Sanders found an unlikely boost — one that reminded everyone that sometimes, all you need is a little time to cook.
And for those questioning whether it’s true or “cap,” Grok says it’s true: “Colonel Sanders faced around 1,009 rejections while pitching his fried chicken recipe, traveling the U.S. and cooking for restaurant owners. The exact number might be symbolic, but his perseverance is well-documented in KFC’s history and biographies. No cap here — Sanders’ story is one of grit and eventual success.”
We’ll have to see if the “eventual success” part comes to pass.
Sanders Owns Up to Mistakes, Looks Forward to Fresh Start with Cleveland Browns
For now, though, with rookie minicamp around the corner, Sanders is reflecting on the rollercoaster ride that brought him to Cleveland. In a brutally honest moment, the Browns’ new quarterback opened up about how he handled the predraft process — and admitted he wishes he had approached parts of it differently.
Despite the whirlwind surrounding his draft slide, Sanders is trying to focus on the positives. Hours after he heard his name called by the Browns, Sanders was on a conference call with the media.
“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity throughout everything,” Sanders said. “I don’t ever focus on a negative or even think about the negative because the positive happened so fast.”
When asked directly whether he had any regrets about how he handled the months leading up to the draft, Sanders didn’t dodge the question.
“I feel like in life, there’s always a way I can improve. I’m able to improve,” Sanders said. “And some things that I [did] that seemed right at the time, I could’ve went about it a different way.”
That level of self-awareness may be precisely what Sanders needs to win over a Browns locker room filled with veterans who have seen plenty of young quarterbacks come and go.