Thedewsperspective

by Cornell Dews

There appears to be a certain narrative that’s being painted of Shedeur Sanders.  Shedeur is an outstanding quarterback. He is a projected top 10 2025 NFL draft pick. He is also the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.  The narrative being shaped of Shedeur is that he’s cocky and arrogant.  Though I’ve been in no rooms to observe this behavior, nor do I personally know the young man, I’m certain these stories are being written by white men and projected by white media.  And I would bet, many of them, like me don’t know the young man neither.  Never spent any time with him.  Nevertheless, they have the audacity to label him cocky, arrogant.  That’s code.  What they’re saying is, “who does this n!gga think he is”?

At the NFL Combine Shedeur Sanders stated, “we went from Jackson State to Colorado and changed two programs back-to-back.  So, you don’t think I can come to an NFL franchise and change a program again?  It’s history.  We done it, again.  It’s always going to repeat itself.”  What NFL franchise would not want their leader, their captain, their star quarterback to not project this winning attitude?  A winning attitude is impregnating.  And we all know it all starts with a mind state.  Which person(s), organization, franchise, seeking success wouldn’t want to be associated with a person who thinks like this?  It makes no sense.  Unless…

Some experts are saying people are intentionally trying to tank his status so he can drop in the draft.  And ultimately end up with a particular team by design.  Some believe it’s people’s disdain for Shedeur’s daddy, Primetime, that infuriates them so much that they’d hurt his child.  And there are some who quietly say this has everything to do with the fact that he’s black. 

Shedeur spoke at the combine wearing diamond necklaces so bright you could see the colors reflected even on a black & white tv.  I’m certain he had something buss down on his wrist that cost more than most people’s homes I know.  The thing he drove to the combine would probably make the Knight Rider jealous. Don’t forget, before the combine started, he told them folks what he was not going to do.  I won’t be throwing.  And I won’t be doing this and I won’t be doing that.  He’s done exactly what his daddy raised him to do.  And like those people who stand in judgement of Shedeur would want from their own children, (GOD willing), he will continue to do exactly what his daddy raised him to do.  Now what do we call this?  Arrogance, cockiness, obedience?  What?

Some people may become confused when they see people of color projecting self-assurance. This phenomenon occurs when people of color conduct themselves with grandiose expectations, privilege, and special treatment. It’s confusing.  They seem to ponder aloud, “what gives you the right to act like that”?  Well in Shedeur’s case, the answer is unequivocally “his daddy.”  And I’m not mad about it.  I wish all father’s could embed in their children undeterred confidence and zeal. Children should truly believe that they are the best. They should expect nothing less than the best for themselves or how others treat them.  That’s apparent in Shedeur and his father who regularly glorify his GODLY FATHER from whom all blessings flow.

Is Shedeur cocky or arrogant?  I don’t know.  Does he feel a sense of entitlement because of who his daddy is?  I don’t know.  But what I do know is that cocky and arrogant seems to have a more damaging aesthetic to it.  I also know, like Shedeur himself said at the NFL Combine, he has elevated two Division I College Programs back-to-back.  So, it’s apparent that he can lead successful programs.  Interestingly though, in his comments, he didn’t say “I” he said “we.”  Implying to me that he’s referring to himself and his dad.  Could that ultimately be the concern with whoever drafts Shedeur Sanders is that they’d also be drafting Deion Sanders?  As if that’s a bad thing.  Then again, maybe it is for people not accustomed to black men legitimately conducting themselves in a manner inherently deemed for others.