Shedeur Sanders speeding citation: NFL insider assesses fallout from 'mistake'

Reaction is coming in after Shedeur Sanders’ citation for speeding in Ohio. The Cleveland Browns rookie was going 101 miles per hour in a 60mph zone, according to police records.

According to ESPN NFL insider Kimberley A. Martin, the citation adds to the questions around Sanders. That’s why, although it was a mistake, it could create more questions after a bumpy pre-draft process.

Martin pointed out the spotlight on Sanders, notably because he’s the son of Deion Sanders and because of his slide on draft night. But amid a quarterback battle – which includes fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel – Martin said there are more questions coming up as a result of the citation.

“I think this is a huge deal – not because Shedeur Sanders isn’t allowed to make a mistake,” Martin said Thursday on First Take. “But I think it’s a big deal because A, the spotlight that follows him, his last name, because of the draft day slide and the perception around, ‘What’s going on?’ Questions about maturity that are already lingering because of the draft process. And let’s be honest, he’s the most polarizing prospect in this draft class.

“There are people that seem to wonder, is his head on straight? That’s from the outside. And let’s be honest, he doesn’t have margin for error. He really doesn’t. He’s a Black man in America, too. There’s also that layer. And he’s in a QB competition where you already have another rookie that’s right next to you.”

Police records indicate Sanders was stopped at approximately 12:24 a.m. June 17 and driving 101 miles per hour at the time – 41 miles over the posted speed limit. He received a citation and can either pay a fine or fight the ticket in court.

Sanders and Gabriel are part of a crowded quarterback room in Cleveland, which also includes veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett. But Kevin Stefanski previously said it would be an “all-encompassing” evaluation as the competition rolls along. Martin noted that importance, as well.

“Kevin Stefanski, their head coach, has said, we’re going to be judging the QBs based off of what you do on the field and what you do off,” Martin said. “And at this point, Shedeur – it’s a mistake. I’m not killing him for that.

“But it’s the awareness of, ‘I have to be smarter than that because so many people are looking at me already.’ And that’s why I say it’s huge because people are going to question the decision-making and you don’t want to leave anything open to interpretation.”