Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders is facing life as an NFL rookie without the perks he could have expected as a first-round pick.
Rather, the 23-year-old fifth-round selection has been denied No. 2, which he’s worn since his high school days in Texas, and will instead begin the Browns’ offseason programs as No. 12.
Instead of the former Colorado star, journeyman receiver DeAndre Carter has been given No. 2 – a number he hasn’t worn at any of his previous eight stops in the NFL.
Although third-overall pick Abdul Carter has struggled to secure his preferred jersey number with the New York Giants, first-round NFL Draft picks often have their choice of jersey numbers, provided they’re not already taken by their new teammates. But for those taken in the draft’s latter six rounds, as Sanders was after falling to No. 144 overall, nothing is guaranteed.
That holds particularly true in Cleveland, where only second-round pick Carson Schwesinger was given the same jersey number he wore in college. Even first-round pick Mason Graham and quarterback Dillon Gabriel are switching jerseys, so Sanders is certainly not alone.
He previously wore No. 2 while playing for his Hall-of-Fame father Deion at Dallas’ Trinity Christian, Jackson State and Colorado. On Tuesday, many fans were upset to see that streak broken in Cleveland.
A screen shows Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders’ name after being selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 144th overall pick during the fifth round of last month’s draft
Sanders wore No. 2 while at Jackson State and previously as a high schooler in the Dallas area
Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes talks with Shedeur Sanders #2 prior to a game against the UCF Knights at FBC Mortgage Stadium on September 28, 2024
‘Man if they don’t stop playing wit my boy and give him that #2 ima slap somebody,’ one angry fan wrote online.
The fan was writing a week after Sanders’ highly publicized draft-day tumble.
Once-projected as a first-round pick, Sanders spent another two full days on the board before going to the Browns in the fifth. Along the way, he faced criticism over reportedly disappointing pre-draft interviews with teams, while receiving support from none other than President Donald Trump.
Sanders tried to quickly familiarize himself with his new work home by visiting with students in the cafeteria at John Marshall High School, about six miles from the Browns complex in Berea, Ohio.
“Whatever situation they´re in, that´s really where I feel like I have the most impact on, is really the kids and giving them a different perspective of respect parents, respect their elders and respect those people that are in position to give you advice,” he told assembled media.
The Browns’ rookie minicamp starts on May 9.