Shedeur Sanders Celebrates Juneteenth on Podcast Episode

Some Colorado Buffaloes fans have varying opinions of the team’s current quarterback (QB) Shedeur Sanders. Some people are wary of his commitment to football because he stays atop On3’s NIL list per Bleacher Report. However, his recent endeavor may be proving some people wrong. 

Last week, Sanders appeared on the 160th installment of the Community Voices podcast, a JD Sports show. He even got the privilege of joining for their extra special Juneteenth episode.

Sanders teased the episode on his Instagram the day before it came out.

Sanders’ early love for the game

The Colorado QB began by talking about his love for football. He says he dabbled in other sports, specifically basketball and baseball, but he was always led back to football. (1:30-2:45)

Sanders also got real about how he continues to better himself amid all of the pressure. With a retired NFL player as a father, there is a considerable amount of stress that comes with the territory of playing college football. However, Sanders seems to have a plan for how to deal with everything.

“Every year, whatever you go through in that year is just building you for that next year,” said Sanders. “Each year you learn different life lessons and all it does is prepare you for the next year that’s coming.” (3:37-4:08)

“Whatever I’m going through this year, just in the media and stuff- when they lie and try to paint a picture of you that you’re not really- you just gotta accept it and [say] ‘Okay this is what comes with it,’” he continued. “Next year the main goal is to be a top draft pick and all that is going to come with it also, so all it is is just stepping stones each and every year. (4:12-4:37)

How he handles the hate

Sanders has unquestionably had his fair share of media criticism. Earlier this year, he released his first song which received a lot of backlash including rumors that he was simply looking for another way to make money.

However, Sanders mentioned early on in the interview that he grew up playing guitar and piano. (2:43-2:49) So, it would make sense that he would one day try his hand at a musical career, as well as an athletic one.

No matter the hate he receives, though, Sanders seems to stay positive through it all. 

“Life is good,” he says. “It [could always] be worse…You can never take what you have for granted.” (5:40-6:15)

What Sanders believes ‘freedom’ really means

Because it was a special episode, the host of the podcast announced that JD Sports will also be donating $15,000 to The Winning Team Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving communities through meaningful actions. (7:05)

In the spirit of Juneteenth, Sanders closed out the interview by sharing what he believes “freedom” means today.

“Mentally, I don’t know if you’re ever able to be free because you’ll always be chasing something. No matter what level you get to, no matter how much money you get…it’s just going to be more you wanna do, more you wanna get,” Sanders says. (10:27-10:44)

He gives the example that he may want to give away 100 pairs of shoes to kids today. However, later in his career, he may want to build a store and personally ship all of the shoes out, along with merchandise, and whatever else kids may need. (10:45-10:57)

Fans can watch the full interview here.

Victoria Jonach is an aspiring writer and media analyst fascinated by what kinds of activities players participate in off the football field. Growing up in New Jersey, she is a New York Giants fan and attends Rutgers University, pursuing a career in Journalism and Media Studies. She writes for FirstRoundMock.com covering anticipated draft picks and their acts of volunteerism, entrepreneurship, and other interests that shape these individuals.