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Cleveland Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot is again under the fire of Shedeur Sanders‘ supporters on social media. Did she intentionally slight the quarterback after graduating college?
Many feel she minimized his accomplishment with wording used in a recent story. Her headline used the term “diploma” rather than “degree.”
It’s led to online backlash continuing followers’ beef with Cabot. They believe she’s made it her mission to disparage the second-year passer.
Shedeur Sanders graduated from Colorado.
Sanders walked at Colorado’s graduation ceremony in Boulder over the weekend. He earned his degree in sociology with a 3.9 GPA.
The quarterback commemorated the moment with a post recreating an iconic photo of his father, Deion. He spoke on the importance of completing his coursework, hinting at his potential pursuit of a Master’s.
“I’ve got to stack up my real-life chips… I might think about getting my Master’s,” he said in a social media post. “(It’s) Something I really feel would be very effective…
“I don’t think you have to get your Master’s or have to have your degree to be successful, but I’m doing it more for the activity of learning.”
The feat was worthy of celebration. A number of national outlets reported on the graduation, including Cleveland.com.
“Shedeur Sanders returns to Colorado to receive his diploma,” wrote Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot. Her language received instant criticism.
Some of the top comments on that post can be seen below:
“He didn’t get a ‘diploma.’ He earned his DEGREE. Show some respect.”
“You know it’s a College ‘Degree.’ C’mon now, you’re just trying to disrespect the kid! But what you’re really looking for is the drama you know this will bring. Be better, do better, Cleveland deserves better.”
Is there a difference between a diploma and a degree?
Indeed defines the two terms as such:
Diplomas and degrees are both professional and academic qualifications that prepare students for success. A diploma is a document that asserts that a student has completed a course of study, a few classes or a set of experiences within a specific field…
A degree communicates a student’s qualifications, similarly to a diploma. However, there are a variety of degrees that represent various levels and lengths of academic study.
Diplomas are often affiliated with high school learning. Degrees are more commonly used with college coursework. The latter is considered more respected, though both have similar meanings.
Shedeur Sanders earned his degree. He walked across the stage to collect his diploma. It’s a debate over semantics.
For what it’s worth, the Browns also used “diploma” in a congratulatory message on Instagram. That post received far less backlash.
Instagram / Cleveland Browns
NFL.com used the term, too, in their story highlighting the accomplishment. “On Saturday, Sanders returned to the University of Colorado Boulder to walk on the commencement stage and collect his diploma,” the site wrote.
The words are somewhat interchangeable. Cabot’s reporting was criticized. Why?
Mary Kay Cabot is despised by Shedeur Sanders’ camp.
His supporters believe she is rooting for his downfall. Most recently, she landed an online lashing from his brother, Shilo Sanders.
He questioned her competence as a female reporter. He says her opinion of Shedeur has clouded her judgement.
“If you’re gonna be a reporter, be a reporter and report facts. When your opinion is always hateful to Shedeur, it makes it seem like an agenda.
“There’s plenty of women in this field that take this seriously… With you, it’s so much emotion. I don’t want you to make women look bad when it comes to reporting… We don’t care what you think is going to happen.”
-Shilo Sanders
Those comments came in response to her remarks about the Browns’ current quarterback battle. She thinks Cleveland should move forward with Deshaun Watson as it preps for the 2026 season.
“I think they should declare (Watson) QB1 and let the first team cook,” she wrote in April. “There’s no time to waste.”
Some would agree. Watson, a veteran, is being paid to lead the offense. Sanders just wrapped up his rookie year. Experience, pay, and production will play a role in decision-making.
Cleveland is also coming off of back-to-back losing campaigns. Continuity goes a long way in future success. Cabot thinks the team would be best suited by announcing a move now.
Shilo Sanders, however, took it as a slight. He believes Cabot was writing Shedeur off without a fair shake.
Whether that narrative is accurate is up for debate. Her backing of Watson over Sanders, however, opened the door for the most recent criticism.
Given the fact that others used “diploma” in their update of Sanders’ graduation, the negativity seems tied more to source than the reporting.