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Shedeur Sanders, the Cleveland Browns’ newest rookie quarterback, left a remarkable impression on fans and fellow athletes alike during the second annual David Njoku Celebrity Softball Game in Eastlake, Ohio. Audiences at Classic Auto Group Park were eager to show their support for Sanders, whose presence electrified the already-stacked lineup of professional athletes, local celebrities, and influencers.
The star-studded event, headlined by Browns tight end David Njoku as Team Njoku’s captain against Team Haden led by former NFL cornerback Joe Haden, drew crowds eager to mingle with Cleveland’s rising and established sports stars. Yet, the real shift in atmosphere came when Shedeur Sanders stepped onto the field. Immediately, the audience’s energy spiked as passionate chants rang out, including shouts of “You’re the next Tom Brady!” before the very first pitch.
These roars of support were echoed online and throughout the stands, as seen in a viral Twitter clip:
“Shedeur Sanders addresses speeding ticket at #Browns’ David Njoku’s celebrity softball game.
Fans at the game still showed love to Sanders despite the misstep.
🗣️ ‘You’re the next [Tom] Brady!’”
— @benjamin__Ba on Twitter
Another memorable interaction saw a young supporter from the bleachers shouting, “You’re QB1! Nobody else but you! You’re the GOAT!” Sanders responded with humility and humor, saying, “I need him to be my motivator. I need to listen to him every day.” A clip capturing this interaction also made rounds on social media, further fueling excitement about the young quarterback’s potential.
Shedeur Sanders was drafted in the fifth round (No. 144 overall) during what analysts described as a dramatic and unexpected draft fall for one of college football’s most prolific passers. While the Browns selected two quarterbacks this year — third-round pick Dillon Gabriel and Sanders — it’s Sanders who rapidly garnered attention from Cleveland faithful despite facing scrutiny during the draft process.
Social media has played a vital role in documenting Sanders’ rise, with posts like ShedeurDaily’s Instagram recap of the softball game showing the rookie’s growing popularity among fans and highlighting his approachable demeanor off the football field.
Sanders recently faced scrutiny due to off-field incidents, including two speeding citations in June. He openly addressed these issues while at the charity softball game, stating, “I’ve made some wrong choices. I learn from them.” Sanders assured reporters that he’s turning his attention fully toward football, making it clear his priority is earning a leadership role with the Browns. He also joked, “I don’t drive no more, no more,” after the incidents — signaling his willingness to learn and grow beyond his mistakes. More details on this came from interviews reported by sports outlets like Marca.
With training camp approaching, Sanders faces fierce competition for the Browns’ quarterback job, contending with both third-round pick Dillon Gabriel and veteran signees Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett. However, if early reactions at community events are any indication, Sanders could quickly become a fan favorite — and possibly the face of Cleveland’s franchise if he can transfer that momentum onto the field.
As local news outlets and Browns fans continue to watch his progress closely, events like the celebrity softball game show that Cleveland is more than ready to rally behind its newest quarterback, hoping Shedeur Sanders can live up to the early hype and perhaps even become the team’s long-awaited answer at QB1.
For further updates on the Cleveland Browns roster, check out this recent report comparing the Browns’ position groups to others across the NFL.
Also see more images and moments from the celebrity softball game on YouTube and in coverage from Browns Nation.