Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders was cited early Tuesday morning by Strongsville Police for driving 101 mph in a 60 mph zone on I‑71, just south of the Ohio Turnpike.
Police say the young athlete was behind the wheel of a black Dodge TRX truck and was pulled over at roughly 12:24 a.m. Classified as a fourth‑degree misdemeanor, the violation carries a $250 fine, with the option to challenge the ticket in Strongsville Mayor’s Court on July 3.
Skip Bayless, who has previously praised Sanders, took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his disappointment: “Even I cannot defend Shedeur getting pulled over in Cleveland for doing 101… As a 5th‑string 5th‑rounder battling for a roster spot … you obviously JUST CAN’T. Now, unfortunately, all those critics are going to nod and say, ‘Told you so.’”
Bayless’s warning adds weight to concerns that the speeding incident could compound any lingering character questions surrounding Sanders—a factor some believe influenced his slide to Round 5 in the draft despite previous first‑round projections.
Sanders was selected 144th overall in April’s NFL Draft after a stellar collegiate career at Colorado, where he threw for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns in 2024 He’s currently entrenched in a tight QB competition with Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, aiming to secure a deeper role by midseason. The Browns wrap minicamp this week and prepare to open training camp on July 18, giving Sanders time to refocus and rebuild trust
This traffic violation is more than a citation—it's a test of responsibility for a rookie under the NFL microscope. Sanders now faces pressure to reinforce his professionalism and ensure that off-field missteps don’t overshadow his on-field potential.
