Context:

Shedeur Sanders, a rookie quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, embraces the comparison to NFL legend Tom Brady, despite being drafted in the fifth round, similar to Brady's own late selection in the sixth round of the 2000 draft. Tom Brady reached out to Sanders, encouraging him to use his draft position as motivation, stating that the journey after the draft is what truly matters. Sanders, initially expected to be a top two-round pick, is inspired and confident in his potential to have a career arc similar to Brady's, who overcame early doubts to become a seven-time Super Bowl champion. Brady's own experience of being underestimated has become a defining aspect of his career, giving Sanders a relatable figure to look up to. The young quarterback is eager to prove himself and is prepared to work hard to achieve success, possibly following in Brady's footsteps with guidance from the NFL great himself.

Dive Deeper:

• Shedeur Sanders was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round, a placement that many viewed as a fall from his anticipated top two-round position, drawing parallels to Tom Brady's own sixth-round selection in 2000.

• Tom Brady, known for overcoming the odds as a late draft pick to become a legendary quarterback, reached out to Sanders to offer encouragement and advice, emphasizing that what matters is how one performs after the draft.

• Brady shared his personal experience on the Impaulsive Podcast, expressing that his draft position was a critical turning point in his career, which required overcoming numerous challenges and ultimately defined his success story.

• Sanders is motivated by Brady's words and is determined to forge a similar path, expressing excitement and readiness to work hard to achieve success in the NFL, similar to Brady's illustrious career.

• The comparison to Tom Brady provides Sanders with a strong role model, as Brady's journey from an underestimated draft pick to a highly celebrated seven-time Super Bowl champion serves as a blueprint for Sanders to follow.

• Despite the initial disappointment of being drafted later than expected, Sanders maintains a positive and optimistic outlook, viewing his situation as an opportunity to prove his capabilities and potential.

• The relationship between Sanders and Brady highlights the importance of mentorship and finding inspiration in the stories of past athletes to fuel one's own career ambitions and resilience.

• Just because Shedeur Sanders was drafted late doesn't mean he's destined for failure.

• One of the best players of all time, Tom Brady, was also taken on day three.

• The retired quarterback said he texted Sanders after the Colorado product dropped to the fifth round.

• "I said, 'Dude, like, whatever happens, wherever you go, like, that's your first day. Day 2 matters more than the draft,'" Brady said on the Impaulsive Podcast. "I was [pick] 199. So, who could speak on it better than me, like, what that really means? Use it as motivation. You're gonna get your chances." 

• Shedeur took inspiration from Brady reaching out, comparing himself to the seven-time Super Bowl champion.

• #Browns rookie QB Shedeur Sanders on what he took from Tom Brady reaching out to him after being a Day 3 draft pick: “My story is gonna be similar.”
  
  (via @JJCoop25)pic.twitter.com/U46gG7T197

• — Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 10, 2025 "None of that matters," Sanders added. "Excited to be here and ready to work."

• It's the right kind of confidence to hear from a player who has fallen from high heights. Sanders was a consensus pick in the top two rounds but fell to the fifth. 

• Brady dropped the sixth round in the 2000 draft with scouts criticizing his lack of athleticism. The Patriots took a flyer on him and two years later he was the undisputed starter. The rest is history.

• In the same podcast where Brady mentioned texting Shedeur, he also addressed own draft debacle and how it shaped him.

• “It was one of the most important things that happened in my career too. And I think in some ways it defines a great story, but also, I had different challenges that I had to overcome over a long period of time, and that was one of them,” Brady explained.

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• Sanders would like that to be his career arc, with the Super Bowls preferably included. 

• Luckily, he can turn to the GOAT for advice when he needs it.