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The Shedeur Sanders saga shows no signs of slowing down. His dramatic fall in the 2025 NFL Draft and eventual selection sparked a series of unforeseen consequences-not only his arrival in Cleveland's crowded quarterback room but also a bizarre and escalating legal battle.
After Sanders unexpectedly slipped to 144th overall despite being considered a top prospect in the 2025 class, one fan took matters into his own hands. He sued the NFL for alleged collusion, potential violations of the Civil Rights Act due to racial discrimination, and breaches of consumer protection laws.
The fan, identified in court documents as John Doe, filed his lawsuit on May 1 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, seeking $100 million in damages. Three weeks later, he escalated his efforts, demanding access to confidential NFL documents.
What documents is the plaintiff demanding?
On May 19, John Doe filed an emergency motion with the court, requesting all NFL and team-held documents related to Sanders' draft process. In his request, he emphasized "the urgency, public interest, and the likely substantial volume of evidence exclusively in the NFL's possession."
According to USA Today, Doe is seeking internal communications-including emails, text messages, and memos exchanged between NFL executives, league officials, general managers, team owners, representatives, and scouts regarding Sanders. His request covers documents from January 1, 2024, to May 1, 2025.
Additionally, Doe is demanding scouting reports, audio and video recordings of Sanders' interviews with teams, and documents related to the prank call targeting the player, among other materials. The court is expected to rule on his request in the coming days.
Did Sanders' draft fall cause 'irreparable harm'?
The lawsuit alleges that the NFL's actions "have caused irreparable harm not only to Sanders but also to the plaintiff and fans who reasonably expect fairness, integrity, and nondiscrimination in the league."
Doe stated, "We are committed to exposing the truth behind what appears to be a systemic effort to undermine Sanders' opportunities in the NFL."
The league has yet to respond to the lawsuit, but legal experts suggest the case is unlikely to hold up in court, despite the plaintiff's argument against dismissing it as frivolous. As this legal battle unfolds, time-and the court-will determine its ultimate course.