'I told you so!': President Trump praises Shedeur Sanders' first start

'I told you so!': President Trump praises Shedeur Sanders' first startStory by'I told you so!': President Trump praises Shedeur Sanders' first startJack McKessy, USA TODAYMon, November 24, 2025 at 3:31 PM UTC·2 min read

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders is having quite the week.

On Wednesday, Nov. 19, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced Sanders would make his first career NFL start. On Sunday, Nov. 23, Sanders became the first Browns quarterback to win his first start since 1995. On Monday, Nov. 24, the President of the United States shouted out Sanders for his performance in Cleveland's Week 12 win.

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"Shedeur Sanders was GREAT," President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Wins first game, career start, as a pro (for Cleveland). Great Genes. I TOLD YOU SO!"

Trump is not new to commenting on the happenings around the NFL this season. The President of the United States has been an outspoken critic of the league's new kickoff rules, which were implemented last season, and even joined a Fox broadcast booth for a game in Week 10.

SHEDEUR 1, HATERS 0: Sanders had answer for every NFL draft snub

President Trump has been keeping a close eye on Sanders, in particular. In April, he blasted NFL owners on Truth Social when Sanders fell out of the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft:

"What is wrong with NFL owners, are they STUPID? Deion Sanders was a great college football player, and was even greater in the NFL. He’s also a very good coach, streetwise and smart! Therefore, Shedeur, his quarterback son, has PHENOMENAL GENES, and is all set for Greatness. He should be 'picked' IMMEDIATELY by a team that wants to WIN. Good luck Shedeur, and say hello to your wonderful father!"

The day after the Truth Social post, the Browns selected Sanders in the fifth round of the draft with the No. 144 overall pick.

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For the first four weeks of the season, the Colorado product was the Browns' third-string quarterback. Veteran Joe Flacco was the starter, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, whom Cleveland drafted two rounds prior to Sanders, backed him up.

The Browns traded Flacco in early October, then Gabriel suffered a concussion in Week 11, which gave Sanders his first shot at action in the regular season. With Gabriel unable to clear the league's concussion protocol by Week 12, Sanders was thrust into the starting role for the first time.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders passes against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders arrives before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns greets teammates prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns takes on the field prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders warms up before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.Head coach Kevin Stefanski talks to Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders throws a pass against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns reacts after getting sacked by Malcolm Koonce #51 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the first quarter of a game at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) runs against Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) tackles Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.Shedeur Sanders #12 and Quinshon Judkins #10 of the Cleveland Browns celebrate after a touchdown in the first quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.1 / 12

See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders passes against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.1 / 12

See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders passes against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.2 / 12

See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders arrives before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.3 / 12

See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns

Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.4 / 12

See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns

Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns greets teammates prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.5 / 12

See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns

Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns takes on the field prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.6 / 12

See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders warms up before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.7 / 12

See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns

Head coach Kevin Stefanski talks to Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.8 / 12

See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders throws a pass against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.9 / 12

See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns

Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns reacts after getting sacked by Malcolm Koonce #51 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the first quarter of a game at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.10 / 12

See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) runs against Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.11 / 12

See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) tackles Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.12 / 12

See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns

Shedeur Sanders #12 and Quinshon Judkins #10 of the Cleveland Browns celebrate after a touchdown in the first quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.

Against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, Nov. 23, Sanders was 11-of-20 on pass attempts for 209 yards with a touchdown and an interception in his debut as a starter. His 52-yard throw on the run to fellow rookie Isaiah Bond was the longest throw by a Browns quarterback all season before his swing pass to running back Dylan Sampson went for 66 yards and a touchdown.

The Browns' 24-10 win in Week 12 brought their record to 3-8 and into a tie with the Cincinnati Bengals for third place in the AFC North.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: President Donald Trump praises Browns QB Shedeur Sanders

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