• Loading stock data...
Thursday, February 12, 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

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss returns to his seat after testifying during the hearing in his lawsuit against the NCAA at Calhoun County Courthouse in Pittsboro, Miss., on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. Chambliss is looking for a temporary injunction and a permanent injunction against the NCAA for one more year of eligibility.

Mississippi Judge Rules Trinidad Chambliss Can Play Another Year at Ole Miss

It’s the latest result in a flood of NCAA eligibility lawsuits.

Manfred: MLB Will ‘Consider Being in Business With Prediction Markets’

The league is actively studying the fast-growing business.
exclusive

Orioles Owner Met With Jeffrey Epstein

The meeting has not been previously reported.
Jan 10, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) and wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. (15) reacts in the fourth quarter in an NFC Wild Card Round game at Bank of America Stadium.

Panthers Owner Aims to Build Charlotte Into a Destination City

Tepper Sports is upgrading the Panthers’ stadium and building a new music venue.

Featured Today

Epstein Emails Show His F1 Ties Ran Deep

The sex trafficker’s circles included many of the biggest names in F1.
February 6, 2026

Milan’s Olympic Village Is Built for Performance—and Partying

Making Milan’s Olympic Village was a five-year sprint.
February 5, 2026

Welcome to the Prediction-Market Super Bowl

Hundreds of millions of dollars are being traded across many platforms.
Feb 1, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots players arrive prior to Super Bowl LX at San Jose Mineta International Airport.
February 3, 2026

Private Equity Has Reached the Super Bowl

The Patriots are one of four NFL teams with PE investment.
Sep 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) greets Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) before the game against the Cincinnati Reds during game one of the Wildcard round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium.

Dodgers $401M Payroll Adds Tension Ahead of MLB Labor Talks

Labor talks are expected to begin in earnest this spring.
February 10, 2026

PWHL Still Laser-Focused on Next Round of Expansion

The PWHL is leaning on its Takeover Tour to inform next moves.
February 10, 2026

Grand Slam Track’s Bankruptcy Plan: Paying Athletes and Stiffing Vendors

The plan heavily favors athletes over vendors, but it isn’t final.
Sponsored

From AUSL to Women’s Hoops: Jon Patricof on Building Leagues

Jon Patricof on athlete equity, fan-first strategy, and how women’s sports can reshape the future of league building.
February 9, 2026

NFL Players Push Back on 18th Game: ‘Stop Lying to People’

Discussion on the 18th game has been ongoing for over a year.
February 9, 2026

NFL Opening-Night Decision Starts in Seattle: Chiefs, Bears in Play

The Super Bowl champions have a stacked 2026 home schedule.
February 9, 2026

Goodell Says Adding NFL Teams Abroad Is ‘Very Possible Someday’

The league has been aggressively expanding its international footprint. 
February 8, 2026

Los Angeles Is Preparing for a Very Different Super Bowl in 2027

The Southern California sports market is very different compared to four years ago.