RJ Young’s tweet sparked an important conversation. Why is Shedeur Sanders constantly told to “be humble,” while quarterbacks like Joe Burrow, Aaron Rodgers, and Tom Brady are celebrated for their confidence? Let’s set the record straight. Two of those three—Rodgers and Brady—fell hard in the NFL Draft. That fall shaped their careers. It gave them a chip they carried to greatness.
There’s no need to tell Aaron Rodgers to be humble—we all watched him humbled on draft night in 2005. There’s no need to tell Tom Brady to be humble—his entire career is a response to the most humbling moment of being picked 199th. Even Joe Burrow had to restart his college career after failing to win the job at Ohio State. His rise at LSU and in the NFL is fueled by that disappointment. That’s why no one tells them to be humble—we’ve witnessed their humbling moments.
And they’re not alone. Some of the NFL’s most successful quarterbacks had to overcome draft-day slides before becoming stars. Drew Brees was a 2nd round pick and became a Super Bowl champion. Tom Brady, as mentioned, turned a 6th round selection into seven Super Bowl rings. Dak Prescott was taken in the 4th round and became a franchise cornerstone. Jalen Hurts, now a current of Super Bowl champion, was drafted in the 2nd round. Kirk Cousins went in the 4th, while Lamar Jackson waited until the very last pick of the 1st round to hear his name called. Russell Wilson, a 3rd round pick, also won a Super Bowl, and Geno Smith, taken in the 2nd, is writing his comeback story now. Each of these players turned the disrespect of draft day into fuel for remarkable careers.
Now enter Shedeur Sanders. Up until this point, his journey has been full of accolades: conference championships, personal awards, and even having his jersey retired before entering the NFL. But what makes a sports story legendary? Adversity.
Muhammad Ali had Joe Frazier, systemic racism, and a fight with the U.S. government over the draft. After all that, he battled age and stunned the world by defeating George Foreman. Foreman’s own story became legendary after an improbable comeback in his 40s. These stories weren’t smooth paths—they were rough roads filled with doubt and struggle.
Shedeur declared, “My story will be legendary.”
Well, legends are forged in the fire. Until now, his path lacked that one crucial element: adversity. This moment—where critics question him, doubt him, and demand humility—this could be part one of his own legendary arc.
This is where the story shifts. Where he either folds or uses it as fuel, like Rodgers, Brady, and every other great who was doubted.
Now we watch. How does Shedeur respond? Because legends aren’t made in the easy wins—they’re made in the battles no one thought you’d survive.
This is his chance to prove it.
I think he will! In fact, this will be the cover art for the movie:
