Talented player Shedeur Sanders made his first NFL start under the brightest of spotlights, and he didn’t just survive; he thrived. The rookie quarterback led the Browns to a 24-10 road win over the Raiders, showing poise, sharp throws, and big-play ability, including a 52-yard bomb to Isaiah Bond. Interestingly, Sanders’s subpar performance even caught the attention of Donald Trump.
Later, Trump praised Shadeur with warm words, “Shedeur Sanders was GREAT. Wins first game, career start, as a pro (for Cleveland). Great Genes. I TOLD YOU SO.”
President Donald Trump Celebrates Shedeur Sanders Winning NFL Debut With Browns
Details: ⤵️ https://t.co/qSfwY3jNhG
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) November 24, 2025
Donald Trump’s Praise Links Shadeur Sanders’ Debut to Rising NFL Buzz
Donald Trump Credited For Shedeur Sanders’ Draft Selection. Photo credits: Imagn and Instagram
Donald Trump Credited For Shedeur Sanders’ Draft Selection. Photo credits: Imagn and Instagram
Donald Trump’s excitement made sense. He has been loud about his support for Shedeur Sanders ever since the pre-draft slide that pushed the young quarterback out of the first round. Back in April, President Trump even urged teams to draft Sanders immediately. Meanwhile, his fondness for the Sanders family goes back years, and he never hid the fact that he views Deion Sanders as one of the sport’s most magnetic figures. So when Shedeur delivered a strong debut, Trump saw a moment he had been waiting for.
Then, on-field details confirmed that Sanders earned his first start against the Raiders and played with sharp rhythm. His accuracy stood out. His control of the huddle looked veteran-level. Most importantly, he became the first Browns quarterback since 1995 to win his debut. That stat alone framed how rare this moment was for Cleveland.
Even Cleveland’s leaders took notice. Myles Garrett reacted to Sanders’ 52-yard touchdown to Isaiah Bond with genuine surprise. Along with a 66-yard TD pass to Dylan Sampson. He made it clear that few players have the arm strength to make that throw and said Sanders has the talent to keep growing if he builds on moments like that. And Garrett’s backing hit hard because he is the locker room tone-setter.
Then Trump’s message tied the whole night together. He noticed the win. He noticed the confidence. He noticed a rookie stepping into chaos and owning the moment. His victory lap matched the performance that Cleveland fans had waited weeks to see.