Even the world’s best players aren’t safe from scathing criticism. And now, the noise around Shedeur Sanders is getting louder with the approaching NFL Draft. Despite him being a projected first round pick, negative narratives have crept up following the combine. “You don’t think I could come to an NFL franchise and change a program again? It’s history. It’s always going to repeat itself,” Shedeur said. But this comment rubbed some NFL scouts the wrong way who labeled him “arrogant” and “brash.” 

Amid the growing criticism, Deion Sanders Jr. took to social media with a pointed response. It’s one that drew a striking comparison to another generational athlete who faced similar doubts in his early career. “Looks very familiar,” Bucky posted on X on March 6, referencing a viral clip of a young Tiger Woods in a tense 1996 interview with 2x US Open winner Curtis Strange. 

At just 20 years old, Tiger Woods made his professional PGA Tour debut at the Greater Milwaukee Open. Confident in his ability, he made it clear that his goal wasn’t just to compete — it was to win. “I think if I play for solid rounds, we’re off to a good start today. I can do that for three more days and I’ll be very happy and a victory would have been authorized too.” His seasoned golfer interviewer wasn’t impressed. He smirked, calling Woods’ confidence “cocky.” “You’ll learn,” he scoffed. 

But Tiger Woods didn’t just learn, he proved his point. His first professional shot traveled 336 yards down the fairway. A few months later, he won the Las Vegas Invitational and the Walt Disney World Classic, silencing the doubters. Years later, the interviewer admitted he was wrong in a 2016 interview — “I told Tiger years later, ‘I learned. Maybe I was wrong and you were right. Or maybe we were both right.’” That, perhaps, is the sweetest form of revenge. Can Shedeur Sanders emulate this development?

Will the NFL learn about Shedeur Sanders?

Shedeur Sanders now finds himself in a similar position. The same words — cocky, arrogant, brash — are used to criticize his confidence, just as they were with Woods. Forget about slipping behind Cam Ward, Quinn Ewers, and Jaxson Dart. Some scouts, including former Jets evaluator Daniel Kelly, have gone as far to call him an undrafted talent. 

Like always, Deion Sanders Jr. wasn’t having it. “Bro just calm your h— a— down… we get it…” he shot back at Kelly on X, calling out his perspective as nothing more than an attention grab. Deion Sanders also entered the mix to defend Shedeur saying that the criticism is unwarranted and that teams will regret passing on him. 

The truth is, it only takes one team to believe in Shedeur Sanders. April’s Draft Day will determine whether the NFL chooses to doubt him or watch him prove them wrong.