Never one to shy away from sharing his opinion, NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe has weighed in on the recent controversy surrounding Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
During a conversation with former seven-time NBA All-Star Joe Johnson, Sharpe openly discussed the quarterback’s latest speeding incident, reminding Sanders that he is under more scrutiny than most fellow fifth-round rookies.
Shannon Sharpe Weighs In on Latest Shedeur Sanders Controversy
Sanders recently made headlines for receiving two speeding tickets in a single month: once for driving 91 mph in a 65 mph zone, and more recently for reportedly driving 101 mph in a 60 mph zone.
While Sharpe empathized with Sanders, recalling similar experiences from his own youth, he also reminded the former Colorado quarterback that he is held to a higher standard than most rookies.
“What you got to realize, … you know what comes with that last name. You know who your father is, so the things you do will probably get criticized and scrutinized a little bit more than another 21, 22, 23-year-old whose last name isn’t Sanders,” Sharpe said on the Nightcap podcast.
As the son of NFL Hall of Fame cornerback and current Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, the fifth-round rookie quarterback must be cautious going forward. Not only does he have more to lose than most 23-year-olds, but he is also reportedly halfway toward having his license suspended.
“Based on our very rudimentary understanding of the Ohio point system, Shedeur will have six points based on the two tickets (two for the first and four for the second). That puts him halfway toward having his license suspended for six months,” Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk recently reported.
Sharpe said that should convince Sanders to slow down and obey the speed limit.
“Now, you’ve got two in a month. You should be good. You gotta change that now,” Sharpe said.
Sharpe Also Had To Overcome a Famous Last Name
While Sharpe acknowledged that Sanders is still a young player learning through trial and error, he also shared advice from personal experience. As the brother of 2025 Hall of Fame inductee Sterling Sharpe, Shannon Sharpe understands what it’s like to live in someone else’s shadow.
Sterling Sharpe, a standout wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers in the 1990s, was considered one of the most dominant players of his era before a neck injury abruptly ended his career.
Despite this early exit, his brilliance on the field left a lasting impression, and for a time, the younger Sharpe lived in his brother’s shadow. This unique perspective gives Shannon Sharpe insight into navigating similar challenges. Hopefully, Sanders will heed his advice.