• Loading stock data...
Friday, January 9, 2026

Trump Defends Sanders After Snub: ‘What Is Wrong With NFL Owners?’

The president expressed support for the former Colorado quarterback after he wasn’t drafted in the first round.

Leah Millis-Imagn Images

One of the most surprising snubs of the first round of the NFL Draft has found a new critic in President Donald Trump.

Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social in support of Shedeur Sanders, who went undrafted Thursday night despite drawing interest from several teams. Sanders, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, played for his father at Colorado, and his Buffaloes teammate Travis Hunter went No. 2 overall to the Jaguars.

“What is wrong with NFL owners, are they STUPID?” Trump posted shortly before the second round began Friday. “Deion Sanders was a great college football player, and was even greater in the NFL. He’s also a very good coach, streetwise and smart! Therefore, Shedeur, his quarterback son, has PHENOMENAL GENES, and is all set for Greatness. He should be ‘picked’ IMMEDIATELY by a team that wants to WIN. Good luck Shedeur, and say hello to your wonderful father!”

Based on the timing of his social media posts, the president either sent the message from the skies or fired it off shortly after he arrived in Italy for the funeral of Pope Francis. He posted about Sanders shortly before sharing two messages that he landed in Italy, along with a video stepping off the plane.

All of these posts came just hours before ESPN began its second- and third-round coverage of the draft. Reports before the draft began suggested it was unclear when Sanders might be picked, and it could be as late as the third round.

While he was still coaching at Jackson State, Deion Sanders wrote a letter to the Trump White House in support of pardoning rapper Lil Wayne. The younger Sanders brother, Shilo, made comments about Trump earlier this year when talking about internet critics. “If you just hate me, or you want to hate me…paint me in a bad picture, they do that to our president, they do that to everybody.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Miami Earns $20M With CFP National Championship Trip

No other power conference allows schools to keep all CFP prize money.

Demond Williams Walks Back Transfer Talk, to Stay at Washington

Washington threatened legal action to force him to honor his rev-share contract.

Ole Miss Survived Kiffin Coaching Chaos to Make CFP Semifinal

Multiple coaches have gone back and forth between Ole Miss and LSU.

Featured Today

Hockey in Florida Was Once a Risk. Now It’s Thriving

The state of Florida has become a traditional—and highly lucrative—market.
Dec 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after scoring a basket against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Crypto.com Arena
January 4, 2026

Why Pro Sports Team Valuations Will Keep Climbing in 2026

Asset scarcity and increasing media-rights deals underpin soaring valuations.
Imagn Images/Front Office Sports
January 2, 2026

FOS Crystal Ball: Predictions for the Business of Sports in 2026

Here’s what FOS journalists think could be on the horizon.
Heated Rivalry (L to R) - Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov and Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander in Episode 104 of Heated Rivalry. Cr. Sabrina Lantos © 2025
December 24, 2025

Hockey Needed Some Virality. Then Came ‘Heated Rivalry’

No one was prepared for the Canadian show’s smash success.
January 8, 2026

NFL Coach and GM Tracker: 25% of Teams Searching for New Coaches

Eight NFL teams are in the midst of head coaching searches.
May 26, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Flag holders unfold the American flag prior to a game between the Chicago Cubs and the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field.
January 8, 2026

MLB Launches Leaguewide Push for America’s 250th Anniversary

Commemorations of the nation’s founding will involve every league department.
Sponsored

ESPN Edge Innovation Conference 2025: Inside the Technology Shaping the Future of..

At ESPN Edge Innovation Conference 2025, ESPN showcased how AI, immersive tech, and a rebuilt direct-to-consumer platform are redefining the future of sports media.
Napheesa Collier
exclusive
January 7, 2026

WNBA Hasn’t Countered Players’ Latest Offer As Deadline Closes In

The deadline for the sides to reach a labor deal is Friday.
Christian Pulisic
January 7, 2026

FIFA’s $60 World Cup Tickets Come With a Major Catch

Only members of American Outlaws, Barra 76, and Sammers are eligible.
January 7, 2026

PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague Quits After Just a Year

Sprague cited the need to help support his family in New York.
Jan 2, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr (20) and Washington Wizards guard CJ McCollum (3) celebrate during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Capital One Arena.
January 7, 2026

Winning Gets in the Way of Wizards, Nets Tank Jobs

The NBA recently floated rule changes to curb tanking.