Shedeur Sanders proves he’s more than Deion’s son after brutal ESPY insult by Shane Gillis

Following an awkward jab thrown by comedian Shane Gillis during the 2025 ESPY Awards, Shedeur Sanders didn’t clap back with words. Instead, he let his grind do the talking. Within 24 hours of the nationally televised dig, the Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback dropped a jaw-dropping training montage on Instagram—no rants, no tweets, just pure focus and fire.

Shedeur Sanders silences ESPY insults with grit, grind, and a visual masterstroke

Shane Gillis, known for toeing the line with edgy humor, poked fun at Sanders’ college career during a live segment, implying his jersey retirement was a result of nepotism. “Shedeur Sanders had his jersey number retired at Colorado this year,” Gillis said, pausing before the punchline. “People are saying it’s because of nepotism... It’s not. He went 13-12 over his career & he almost won the Alamo Bowl. Definitely not nepotism?”

While the crowd, including stars like Lamar Jackson, offered nervous chuckles, many recognized the undertone for what it was—a cheap shot.

But Sanders didn’t bite. Instead, he dropped a cinematic clip showcasing intense workouts, laser-sharp throws, and a burning desire to improve. His voice played over the footage: “No excuses, puttin' in the work. Do what I gotta do. 'Bout to be time to be legendary. Whenever that time is.

”

The message was clear: he had moved past the noise and was dialed into the mission.

Gillis missed the full story—and the numbers prove it

Reducing Shedeur Sanders’ legacy to a 13-12 record shows a stunning lack of context.

He threw for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns in his final college season—leading the Big 12 in both. Awards followed, including the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, a recognition reserved for the top senior quarterback nationwide.Critics love easy targets, but the facts point elsewhere. Colorado had a 1–11 record before Shedeur, Deion, and Travis Hunter arrived. With Sanders under center, they not only made the Alamo Bowl but also returned to national relevance—only their third bowl appearance since 2007.

His jersey retirement wasn’t a handout; it was a symbol of revival.And now, with the Browns, Shedeur enters a competitive QB room featuring Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel. There’s no Deion Sanders in Cleveland to ‘pad’ his reputation. If he earns the starting role—and signs point to that being a real possibility—Gillis might find it harder to turn that into a joke.Sanders’ path has been paved by numbers, leadership, and some real hard-work—not nepotism. His response to ridicule? A quiet, roaring reminder that greatness is earned when no one's watching.Also Read: “First crisis together”: Travis Kelce steps up for Taylor Swift during first major calamity in their relationship