When you’re Deion Sanders’ son, the spotlight doesn’t just follow you, it lives on your shoulder. Shedeur Sanders knows that better than most. The Colorado Buffaloes QB has been one of the most talked-about names this offseason, and honestly, that’s not a surprise. His last name carries weight, for better or worse. With the perks of prime-time attention come the critics, loud ones.

There was a moment during Shedeur Sanders’ Pro Day when everything just… paused. Not because he botched a throw or missed a read—he didn’t. It was something else. Something so small you’d need to watch the tape back in slow-mo to even notice. He patted the ball before he let it fly. A subtle, almost subconscious motion—one plenty of QBs do without a second thought. But Shedeur isn’t just any QB. When your last name is Sanders, even the tiniest flick of the wrist becomes national debate material. Within hours, what should’ve been a quiet nod to a solid workout became the internet’s new favorite football conspiracy. And just like that, a harmless habit turned headline-worthy.

Shedeur had his Pro Day last Friday. And naturally, there were a lot of eyes on him. Not just scouts or analysts but people looking for anything to nitpick. And they found something. One small habit. One small motion before he throws the ball. And that’s all it took to get a wave of opinions online. What kicked off as a routine Pro Day quickly turned into a full-blown debate because of that one quirky habit. That little tap he does right before releasing the pass somehow became headline-worthy.

NFL Network’s Kyle Brandt also jumped into the mix as he tore into the absurdity with a heavy dose of sarcasm. “I think my huge takeaway is I don’t think you can draft Shedeur Sanders because he pats the football. I think he’ll be undrafted all through seven rounds. There’s no possible way you could draft him,” he said.

Brandt pointed out that some of the league’s best QBs, yes, including the GOAT Tom Brady, Josh Allen, and Matthew Stafford, have the same habit of patting the ball before throwing. So why is it suddenly a huge issue when Shedeur does it? That’s where Brandt got real. He says the criticism has less to do with mechanics and more to do with the fact that Shedeur is Deion Sanders’ son. “If you have honest criticism, then make it. But if you’re doing it just to do it, stop,” Brandt said. 

And, of course, social media wasted no time jumping into the conversation. Kyle Brandt’s comment section was flooded with takes after he dropped his post on X. Some were backing Shedeur, while others doubled down on the criticism.

Netizens weigh in as Shedeur Sanders’ throwing habit goes viral

Even before the whole ball-patting thing blew up, Shedeur was already facing heat for supposedly lacking arm strength. So now, with this new issue on the table, netizens are connecting the dots and questioning the bigger picture. One user wrote, “I’ve said this before. Patting the ball doesn’t matter if you have the arm talent to get it there. The question now becomes, does Shedeur have the arm talent? If you’re going to pat the ball, you have to deliver on time, accurately, with zip. All the QBs you mentioned have the arm.“

Another user chimed in with a more grounded take, pointing out that preseason action will reveal way more than any slow-motion clip of a ball pat. “You’re gonna know everything you need to know from their preseason action. Guys don’t usually struggle or look scared in the pocket from day one. Speed, arm strength, Wonderlic… all BS metrics. He played in the Big 12, so those are garbage optics, too.“

Not everyone was on board with brushing off the criticism, though. Some fans felt that pointing out Shedeur’s habits isn’t hate, it’s just part of the evaluation. One user wrote, “There’s always good players that get away with it, but chances are likely he isn’t going to be the new Brady. There are many concerns around Shedeur, and this one is also a valid criticism. It doesn’t have to be, but ridiculing people who think this is concerning is a bit too much.” 

A user just shifted the entire focus beyond mechanics, writing, “Attention is to his ball handling skills rather than his post-interview. Lack of participation in the combine is overlooked; there’s an underlying concern regarding his ego potentially making him a liability for the team that chooses him. He’s on track to be an NFL bust!” 

Well, there are still about 17 days to go before the draft, and the noise around Shedeur Sanders just keeps getting louder. With every passing day, the takes are getting hotter. Amidst all this, it’s going to be interesting to see where the Colorado QB ends up and how he performs in his debut season. Does the whole patting-the-ball thing hold him back? Or does it turn out to be just another overblown narrative that fades once the serious stuff begins?