Former Dem Rep Jamaal Bowman Blames White People for Shedeur Sanders Slip in NFL Draft [WATCH]

Former Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) criticized the National Football League after Shedeur Sanders, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, was not selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.

In a video posted to X, Bowman suggested that Shedeur’s slide was due to racism.

Bowman claimed that the NFL “doesn’t like” Shedeur Sanders because of how he dresses and “talks like a rapper.”

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He compared Shedeur’s skills to other quarterbacks and expressed frustration over his draft position.

Bowman stated that he takes it “personal” when players like Shedeur “slip in the draft” because of their background, how they present themselves, and who their family is.

The comments come as President Donald Trump also weighed in on the draft, criticizing NFL owners on Truth Social.

Trump questioned if owners were “stupid” and said Shedeur Sanders “should be ‘picked’ IMMEDIATELY by a team that wants to WIN.”

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During his video, Bowman said he expected the Cleveland Browns to select Shedeur Sanders with the first pick in the second round.

He criticized the analysis from sports commentators, saying, “I keep hearing, ‘He doesn’t have the strongest arm,’ or ‘He doesn’t have the athleticism that jumps off the page.’”

Bowman pointed to previous draft picks, such as Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, claiming Richardson “can’t play the position,” and argued that Shedeur had qualities like toughness, leadership, intelligence, and accuracy with the football that were being overlooked.

“He has all of that, but we don’t draft him,” Bowman said.

“And, like throughout my life, I’ve seen teams draft people like Josh Rosen and Brady Quinn.”

Bowman also mentioned Deion Sanders’ role as an active father, suggesting that Shedeur’s family dynamic played a role in the perception of him.

“We all know what that is, whether we want to admit it or not,” Bowman said.

He went on to argue that Shedeur’s style of dress and speech contributed to the situation.

Bowman also referenced criticisms of Shedeur being “entitled,” comparing it to the Manning family’s handling of the 2004 NFL Draft.

“Eli Manning, Archie Manning, when they said he don’t want to play for San Diego, don’t draft me. That’s not entitlement?” Bowman asked.

“I just take it personal — and maybe I shouldn’t, but I take it personal when I see someone like Shedeur Sanders, you know, because he talk a certain way and because he wears gold chains, and his pops is Deion and he don’t want to submit to y’all white sh*t, he’s going to slip in the draft,” Bowman said.

The NFL doesn’t like Shaduer Sanders because he wears gold chains and talks like a rapper. They don’t care that he’s a leader, intelligent, tough and completed 77% of his passes with no o line and no running game.

He’s entitled but Eli Manning wasn’t entitled when he refused to… pic.twitter.com/EzIbDmyZRJ

— Jamaal Bowman Ed.D. (@JamaalBowmanNY) April 25, 2025

In response to Bowman’s claims, several users on X pushed back, noting the racial demographics of the NFL and the merit-based nature of the draft.

Anna James Zeigler, a writer with The Resurgent and The Federalist, wrote, “Jamaal. Stop. If anyone bends over backwards to give black men a chance despite the potential for drama and/or illegal activity, it is the NFL.”

Jamaal. Stop. If anyone bends over backwards to give black men a chance despite the potential for drama and/or illegal activity, it is the NFL. https://t.co/rdGg8E9rlV

— Anna James Zeigler (@ajzeigler) April 25, 2025

Jessica O’Donnell, a social media editor with The Blaze, said, “I’m so damn tired of race hustlers. STFU. The league is majority black, and the best players get drafted first. Picking lesser players based on race is literally a coach signing his own pink slip.”

I’m so damn tired of race hustlers. STFU. The league is majority black and the best players get drafted first. Picking lesser players based on race is literally a coach signing his own pink slip. The top drafts are black. Bc it wasn’t YOUR guy doesn’t make it racist. https://t.co/i6AqsJMAf0

— Jessica O’Donnell (@heckyessica) April 26, 2025

Tom Bevan, co-founder and president of RealClearPolitics, also criticized Bowman’s comments, writing, “Jamaal Bowman with blazin’ hot take: Sanders didn’t get drafted in 1st round because racism. Ignore Cam Ward going #1 & also that many pundits who criticized Sanders are black.”

Jamaal Bowman wtih blazin’ hot take: Sanders didn’t get drafted in 1st round because racism.

Ignore Cam Ward going #1 & also that many pundits who criticized Sanders are black.

Bowman should keep his day job – whatever it is these days. https://t.co/XTlHZpaGIv

— Tom Bevan (@TomBevanRCP) April 25, 2025

Other users echoed similar sentiments, accusing Bowman of race-baiting and noting that the NFL is majority black.

Check the demographics of the league before you throw this out there. Race baiting at its finest. https://t.co/s2MvPQKeT8

— Jordan Spencer (@_JSpencer2) April 26, 2025

“This TEN MINUTE DIATRIBE is a perfect example of why Bowman is no longer a member of Congress,” one user commented.

This TEN MINUTE DIATRIBE is a perfect example of why Bowman is no longer a member of Congress. https://t.co/GrhN2Mzw4U

— Ryan S. Powers (@RyanSPowers) April 25, 2025

The discussion over Shedeur Sanders’ draft position and Bowman’s remarks continues to generate significant reaction across social media platforms.

Sanders was ultimately drafted by the Cleveland Brown in the 5th round with the 144th overall pick.

Shedeur sanders gets picked in the 5th round of the nfl draft by the Cleveland browns pic.twitter.com/x4WpmTugB8

— STREETWORK85NAWF BY DRE HOVA (@Streetwork85N) April 26, 2025

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