Emotional distress is a way of life for true sports fans. But it’s not every day that they go to court over it.
Yet one fan has filed a Hail Mary lawsuit over quarterback Shedeur Sanders’ NFL draft slide, seeking a cool $100 million in punitive damages for what he called “the impact of the NFL’s actions on his emotional well-being.”
After being coached by his father, NFL legend Deion Sanders, at the University of Colorado, the younger Sanders was projected to go as high as the first round of last month’s draft. But he wasn’t picked until the fifth round, by the Cleveland Browns.
“Despite Sanders’ demonstrated skills and significant attention during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, the NFL drafted him at the 144th pick during the 2025 NFL Draft,” said the complaint filed in Georgia federal court by a plaintiff under the pseudonym John Doe. The self-described “dedicated fan of Colorado football” and Georgia resident alleged that reports and leaked statements about Sanders negatively influenced the league’s decision-making process, “causing emotional distress and trauma to the Plaintiff as a fan and consumer.”
Specifically, Doe alleged violations of antitrust, civil rights, intentional infliction of emotional distress and trauma, and consumer protection laws. On top of the nine-figure money damages, the suit seeks a “formal acknowledgment from the NFL regarding the emotional distress caused by their actions and statements,” a “retraction of the slanderous statements made about Shedeur Sanders, along with an apology for any harm caused to his reputation” and implementation of “fairer practices in the drafting process to ensure that talented players are recognized and given opportunities based on merit.”
The complaint concludes by requesting “that the Court consider this complaint and take appropriate action to address the intentional emotional distress and trauma suffered as a result of the NFL’s collusive practices and the harmful statements made regarding Shedeur Sanders.”
Admittedly, it’s a little difficult to know where to start with this one, other than to sum things up by saying that it’s unlikely to succeed. Indeed, the Hail Mary comparison might be generous, because those prayerful throws still have a shot at scoring.
We may soon learn whether the court thinks the claim can even get on the field, so to speak. Doe filed it under what’s called “in forma pauperis,” which is when someone says they can’t afford filing fees. When that happens, one of the things that courts look at is whether the suit is “frivolous.” That determination could come soon and result in dismissal.
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