The 2025 draft slide of Shedeur Sanders became a huge talking point around the NFL, and even beyond the sports world. Sanders was eventually drafted by the Cleveland Browns in Round 5, but not before the President of the United States addressed the situation on his social media platform.
Recently, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked if the President’s words had anything to do with Sanders being drafted, and said, “The facts speak for themselves.”
‘Does the President Think He Deserves Credit?’ – Reporter Cheekily Brings Up Shedeur Sanders at White House
During a recent press conference at the White House, it was put to Leavitt that Sanders’ draft slide was ended after one of the President’s “Truth Social” posts. In the post, President Trump questioned NFL owners for not picking the player in the early rounds, suggesting that Sanders inherited “phenomenal genes.”
“What is wrong with NFL owners, are they STUPID? Deion Sanders was a great college football player, and was even greater in the NFL. He’s also a very good coach, streetwise and smart! Therefore, Shedeur, his quarterback son, has PHENOMENAL GENES, and is all set for Greatness. He should be “picked” IMMEDIATELY by a team that wants to WIN. Good luck Shedeur, and say hello to your wonderful father!”
Sanders was eventually drafted in Round 5, the day after the post. The mention of the Sanders drama brought a murmur of amusement from the room, before Leavitt was asked whether the President was taking credit for Sanders being selected. If the tongue-in-cheek nature of the question wasn’t immediately obvious, the reporter then followed up by taking a shot at the Browns.
“Does the President think he deserves credit for Sanders getting picked? And does he think going to the Browns is better than being undrafted?”
Leavitt on Shedeur Sanders: "All I will say is the president put out a statement, and a few rounds later he was drafted, so I think the facts speak for themselves." pic.twitter.com/rAFrAbex2s
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 28, 2025
‘The Facts Speak For Themselves’ – Karoline Leavitt Responds to Amusing Question
Responding to the question, Leavitt played along, giving an appropriately amusing answer.
“All I will say is that the President put out a statement and a few rounds later, he was drafted. So I think the facts speak for themselves on that one.”
While jokes are now being shared, the fact that Sanders’ slide reached the White House at all points to the level of surprise that it generated. Insiders revealed on-air that they had received messages in droves regarding Sanders, with Charles Davis even revealing that his wife had been fielding questions at her Pilates class.
In the end, Sanders’ future in the game will depend on his performance on the field and his attitude in camp. Already carrying his father’s endorsement, as well as his own, into the draft, Sanders left the weekend with the President’s words to live up to.