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Deion Sanders is showing some love to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. During the draft, Kiper lost his mind several times on ESPN’s broadcast while defending Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who slid to the seventh round of the draft.
“I’ll tell ya what- Shedeur makes no sense to me. I mean, we could go to 102 picks and end today without Shedeur Sanders being picked. That’s nonsensical. This kid should’ve been a first-round draft choice.”
“Deion Sanders was one of the hardest-working players in the history of this game. He brought with him a great work ethic. He’s loved in every locker room. Atlanta Braves clubhouse, by the way. Shedeur Sanders will do the same thing. He will galvanize.”
Mel Kiper: “I’ll tell ya what- Shedeur makes no sense to me. I mean, we could go to 102 picks and end today without Shedeur Sanders being picked. That’s nonsensical. This kid should’ve been a first-round draft choice.” #NFL #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/Jri760DeOK
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 26, 2025
Kiper has received criticism for his defense of Sanders, including from Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal, who felt the ESPN host was diminishing Cam Ward’s achievement of being the first overall pick in the draft.
Mario Cristobal claims he spoke to a million people about Cam Ward, yet the one he didn’t speak to, being me, had Ward ranked higher (6th on my Big Board) than any of the other draft experts. Interesting isn’t it. And oh by the way, I didn’t speak to Deion about Shedeur either. I… https://t.co/bCfZbqBenV
— Mel Kiper Jr. (@MelKiperESPN) May 14, 2025
On Thursday, Deion Sanders took to Twitter/X to praise Kiper for not backing down on his stance regarding Shedeur.
“I Love u my man! You stood on the desk with great balance 10 toes down and said what u doggone said & didn’t flinch. You knew what time it was my man & we’re blessed to be right where God wanted us to be. “With OPPORTUNITY” they forgot I was in the tv/entertainment business for 20 years before coaching.”