ESPN analyst Ryan Clark has come under fire from NFL fans after suggesting that race may be playing a role in the negative perception of Shedeur Sanders as a top quarterback prospect. Clark’s remarks have sparked widespread debate, with many calling for his removal from ESPN, while others believe his comments reflect ongoing biases in how Black quarterbacks are evaluated.
Shedeur Sanders’ Draft Stock Takes a Hit
Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft cycle, Shedeur Sanders was widely projected to be a potential No. 1 overall pick. The Colorado Buffaloes quarterback, and son of head coach Deion Sanders, had an impressive college career and was expected to be a franchise-changing talent at the next level.
However, following the NFL Scouting Combine, Sanders’ stock has declined in many mock drafts. Analysts now believe that former Miami quarterback Cam Ward has overtaken him as the favorite for the top selection, with some attributing this shift to Sanders’ close ties to his father and the “Coach Prime” persona surrounding him.
Clark, however, offered a different perspective on why Sanders’ stock has fallen.
Ryan Clark’s Controversial Take
During a segment on First Take, Clark argued that perceptions of Sanders’ confidence and demeanor—including recent comments labeling him as “brash” and “arrogant”—may be tied to racial biases.
“It’s about the bravado he carries. It’s about the fact that he looks a certain way. It is about the fact that the color of his skin sometimes at that position can be questioned… And I believe Shedeur Sanders is going to have to deal with that until he gets on the field,” Clark said.
Clark’s comments followed a report by NFL insider Josina Anderson, who claimed that an unnamed scout at the Combine described Sanders as “brash” and “arrogant” after meeting with an NFL team.
Fan Backlash and Calls for Clark’s Dismissal
Clark’s remarks ignited a firestorm on social media, with many fans and commentators accusing him of race-baiting and making unfair generalizations. Some claimed that all quarterbacks face scrutiny before the draft and that Clark was unfairly attributing Sanders’ criticism to race.
Outspoken analyst Jason Whitlock was among those who criticized Clark:
“Everybody had questions about Johnny Manziel’s arrogance and attitude before he transitioned to the NFL,” Whitlock stated. “According to Ryan Clark, if you have any of these questions about Shedeur Sanders, you’re racist. Isn’t everybody tired of this? The ‘RC’ on his lapel stands for Race Card, not Ryan Clark.”
Conservative sports commentator Clay Travis echoed similar sentiments, blasting Clark for turning everything into a racial debate:
“Clark, who only has a career because he calls everything racist, says anyone questioning Shedeur Sanders’ quarterbacking ability is racist. Newsflash: every QB gets questioned before the draft. All. Of. Them.”
Many fans also took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their frustrations:
- “Ryan Clark should be fired!” one user wrote.
- “This is one of the reasons nobody watches @ESPN unless there’s a live event. All their hosts do is race bait.”
- “ESPN and Ryan Clark always playing the race card. I’m so sick of this trash network.”
- “Clark should be fired immediately! He’s done this over and over again. But, he’s on WOKE ESPN, so it’ll continue.”
RELATED: Ryan Clark Slams Aaron Rodgers as a ‘Fraud’ Following QB’s Criticism of ESPN and Sports Media
The Bigger Debate: Race and Quarterback Evaluations
Clark’s comments have reignited the long-running debate about how Black quarterbacks are evaluated compared to their white counterparts. Throughout NFL history, Black quarterbacks have often been unfairly labeled as “raw,” “arrogant,” or “not smart enough” to play the position at a high level, even when their talent is undeniable.
Recent success stories like Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Jayden Daniels have helped shift the narrative, but concerns about racial bias in scouting reports continue to persist.
Whether Clark’s comments were valid critique or misplaced race discourse, they have certainly fueled further discussion about how quarterbacks—especially those like Sanders—are analyzed leading up to the draft.
What’s Next for Shedeur Sanders?
Despite the ongoing debate, Shedeur Sanders remains one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. If he doesn’t go No. 1 overall, he could land with teams like the Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, or Cleveland Browns, all of whom hold top draft picks and could be looking for a franchise quarterback.
Sanders could also follow a path similar to Jayden Daniels, who was selected No. 2 overall by the Washington Commanders in the 2024 NFL Draft. Daniels went on to lead Washington to the NFC Championship Game as a rookie, proving that draft position does not necessarily dictate long-term success.
Final Thoughts
Ryan Clark’s comments on Shedeur Sanders’ draft stock have divided NFL fans, with some agreeing that racial biases still play a role in quarterback evaluations, while others dismiss his claims as sensationalism.
Regardless of the controversy, one thing remains certain—Shedeur Sanders’ performance on the field will ultimately determine his NFL future. Whether he proves his doubters wrong or validates their concerns, his rookie season will be one of the most scrutinized in recent memory.