Shedeur Sanders said it best in his hit single: it was all “perfect timing.”
Sanders made his professional football debut on Friday night against the Carolina Panthers in a preseason matchup where he didn’t shy away from his moment. The Cleveland Browns quarterback, who is the son of Colorado Buffaloes head coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, finished the first half with two touchdowns.
His first touchdown came at the start of the second quarter, when Sanders connected with wide receiver Kaden Davis on a seven-yard pass.
Sanders replayed the same outcome toward the end of the second quarter, reconnecting with Davis on a 12-yard pass.
The former Jackson State Tigers and Colorado Buffaloes standout threw for 138 yards on 14-of-23 passing on the night, only getting sacked twice in just under three quarters of play.
Sanders’ first bit of NFL action was the buzz on social media, garnering reactions from figures such as his father and Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. But there were far more who were moved by the 23-year-old’s NFL debut.
“That’s love. … I’m playing for a lot of people and a lot of beliefs,” Sanders said on broadcast when he found out the praise he received on social media.
Here’s how social media reacted to Sanders’ display.
Oh yeah what now! #CoachPrime
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) August 9, 2025
That young 🤴🏾 looking good out there! @ShedeurSanders Keep going UP!!! HEAD down on the grind and HEAD high to the most high 🙌🏾🫡
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 9, 2025
And I don’t wanna hear that “It’s only preseason” bs. Cause if he was out there not going in y’all would be on his ass about it! So give credit and grace lames. 🤷🏾♂️
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 9, 2025
Yes Lawd! Yes! @ShedeurSanders
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) August 8, 2025
Super happy for @ShedeurSanders! You can try to break a young fella’s spirit but you can’t touch his talent! Do the damn thing Shedeur!!!
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) August 9, 2025
Yea 12 keep goin 🫡
— Z A Y 🖤 (@XavierWorthy) August 9, 2025
I see QB1 In Cleveland!!
— Phillip Lindsay (@I_CU_boy) August 9, 2025
⌚️⌚️⌚️ pic.twitter.com/6QQwdf7bkr
— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) August 9, 2025
Seen this before 😎🐅💙 https://t.co/Gn242aEcFA
— Jackson State Football (@gojsutigersfb) August 9, 2025
When you get your opportunity, create your next one. pic.twitter.com/YiHJUJAiov
— Nike Football (@usnikefootball) August 9, 2025
