‘Ridiculous’ Angel Reese Narrative Polarizes Fans After Shedeur Sanders’ NFL Draft Treatment

“I’m built for whatever today may bring.” Shedeur Sanders posted right before the NFL draft. Everyone had expectations for Colorado QB with at least 2-3 teams in the first round short on position. But after all the 32 names were called, no one picked Shedeur. Shock for the Sanders family, shock for the fans. Shedeur though remained composed.

“We all didn’t expect this, of course,” Sanders told his fans who were watching the draft with him. “But I feel like with God, anything’s possible — everything’s possible. I don’t feel like this happened for no reason. All this is of course fuel to the fire. Under no circumstance — we all know this shouldn’t have happened. But we understand, we’re on to bigger and better things. Tomorrow’s the day. We’re gonna be happy regardless.” A positive and commendable approach by Shedeur.

Yet the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year dared the franchises not to choose him. He knows his capabilities and again getting undrafted after a memorable season could be devastating. “If that’s not what you’re trying to do, don’t [pick] me,” he said. “If you ain’t trying to change the franchise or the culture, don’t [pick] me. You should know history repeats itself over and over and over, and I’ve done it over and over. So, it should be no question.” Bold and assertive claim by Shedeur, who learnt the game from his father Deion ‘Prime Time’ Sanders, Hall of Fame cornerback.

The star QB is ready to show the world his worth and eager to prove a point in the biggest football league. Leading his team to the Alamo Bowl, Sanders also won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. Though he is not picked in the first round, he is ready to make an impact for the franchise that chooses him. After day 1, Sanders was used to the constant criticism, expected some hate, and he was cool with it. The confidence sounds similar to WNBA fans? Yes, Angel Reese, Chicago Sky forward also received a lot of hate and still managed to succeed.

Around July 2024, Sanders encountered a question about Reese, who was drafted in the year by the Sky franchise. “I really like how she handles things. She takes advantage of those opportunities. I’m really proud of her.” Is this the exact time she would give tips to him?

Both Angel Reese and Shedeur Sanders have faced a firestorm of criticism for their bold confidence, often tinged with racial and cultural biases that many fans say make their media narratives feel unfair. Reese’s unapologetic clapbacks to online trolls—and her on-court flair that helped drive record WNBA viewership—have been labeled “classless” by critics, even as fans rally around her authenticity.

Sanders, meanwhile, made headlines ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft with brash pre-draft statements, like daring teams not to pick him unless they’re ready to build a winning culture. While some outlets spun those moments as arrogance, others pointed to a double standard: Black athletes who don’t fit the mold of quiet humility—like Reese, with her flashy style, or Sanders, flaunting luxury watches—often get hit harder in the media, fueling the “ridiculous” narrative that’s sparked such heated fan debates.

Fans divided on Angel Reese and Shedeur Sanders’ comparisons.

Despite going undrafted in the first round, Sanders’ composure and calmness impressed many. From being considered a top pick to not getting picked could destroy anyone. But after watching his poise, a fan commented, “This is why I root so hard for Shedeur Sanders and Angel Reese, two of the most hated young athletes literally for being confident. You guys have a fan in me for life.” Many might think this is a generic post shared by a fan showing his support for his favourite athletes.

But his post, after gaining over 350K views, divided fans into two groups that are poles apart. One fan was quick in the comments section, questioning the performances of Angel Reese and expected more respect for Sanders’ production on the field. He writes, “Why would you compare them? Angel Reese looks ridiculous on the court.”

Fans in this camp zero in on Reese’s 39.1% field goal percentage, arguing she’s overhyped despite her league-leading 13.1 rebounds per game and All-Star nod in 2024. They feel Sanders’ college stats and awards—like his 4,134 passing yards and Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors—put him in a different league, and comparing him to a WNBA rookie—especially one they see as polarizing—diminishes his grind.

It’s a heated stance, with some even saying it’s “criminal” to mention Reese alongside an NFL hopeful, as if her achievements don’t stack up.

“Putting Angel Reese in any conversation with an NFL player is criminal.” One fan just took the comparisons too far. Reese, leagues league-leading rebounder for the 2024 season, was an All-Star and a vital piece of the Sky franchise in her first season. But Sanders’ achievements in the same calendar year speak volumes, and fans didn’t want to see them or any NFL player in any conversation with Reese. Bit hard on the Chi-town Barbie if one may say.

Not that the Reese fanbase has fallen behind the comparisons. They saw many similarities when the players at the NCAA level were presented. Reese and Sanders, with strong personalities in their sport, never backed down from talking about what they felt. Few media houses though, portrayed them negatively, picking on their every action. Kymari spoke about the same as she wrote, “The media has this weird obsession with trying to humble Shedeur Sanders, it’s sad really. They tried to do the same thing with Angel Reese.”

Siding with her, fans went ahead and found many similarities between the two teen sports sensations. Calling them equal, he reminded how the few fans and media were ‘unnecessarily’ critical of both superstars.

A fan wrote wrote, “Angel Reese = Shedeur Sanders They both have literally attracted the worst vitriol from the fans of their respective sports. Insane. The way they treat them you would think they committed murder.” His last words highlighted the extent both these stars were picked. Reese, in her rookie season, did exceedingly well, apart from the rebound records, the Sky starter was effective in scoring as well, recording 10 consecutive double-doubles, a record for the WNBA. Yet those performances were less celebrated in the media. But the hate? It was visible and probably would have burned any other athlete down.

This isn’t new—Black athletes like Muhammad Ali and Serena Williams got the same flak for daring to be loud and proud. Back then, Ali’s bravado and Williams’ dominance were called cocky, just like Sanders’ luxury flexes and Reese’s trash-talking are now. Some say it’s a pattern: Black stars who break the mold get torn down before they’re celebrated. That history makes the criticism of Reese and Sanders sting even more for fans who see them as the next wave of trailblazers.

Angel Reese and now, the NFL aspirant QB Sanders, have done an excellent job letting their work do the talking and focus on it only. Reese will be getting ready for her second season, while Sanders will be waiting for his future team, which will be announced in the coming days.