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Browns’ Shedeur Sanders defends Kevin Stefanski against ‘sabotage’ claims from supporters
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Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders made franchise history with his Week 12 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, and head coach Kevin Stefanski is keeping him in place as the team’s starter heading into this week.
There is, however, a group of Sanders fans who have been saying all season that Stefanski was “sabotaging” the Colorado product. Sanders says otherwise.
The fifth-round pick by the Browns was speaking to reporters when one reporter said, “All your supporters out there say that Kevin Stefanski was sabotaging you.”
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Head coach Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns speaks with Shedeur Sanders #12 before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Ian Maule/Getty Images)
“So, you just want to start trouble, huh?” Sanders responded during his press conference.
Though Dillon Gabriel, the rookie quarterback taken two rounds before Sanders back in April, was cleared to play this week after being in concussion protocol, Stefanski named Sanders the Browns’ starter.
So, after a follow-up question about what Sanders’ relationship is like with his head coach, he emphasized how little the outside perspective on his situation in Cleveland matters.
SHEDEUR SANDERS ‘THANKFUL’ FOR TRUMP’S SUPPORT AMID WILD START TO NFL CAREER
“What people do outside the building isn’t really in my control,” he responded. “It’s not in my power. So I don’t — you act like I go out there and tell them to do whatever. You know, that’s not nothing I control or nothing I can do.
“Overall, I’m just happy to be here. Coach Stefanski has been coaching since I got here, and he’s been doing a great job with everything that’s going on.”
Sanders added that his relationship with Stefanski is “definitely like a coach,” which involves telling him “what I need to do, on and off the field.”
Head coach Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns instructs Shedeur Sanders #12 during rookie mini-camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 10, 2025, in Berea, Ohio. (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images)
“We’ve definitely grown — our relationship and everything has grown. So I’m just thankful to be here.”
Sanders became the first Browns rookie quarterback since 1999 to win his first career start after the 24-10 victory over the Raiders. He secured his first career touchdown pass thanks to the speed of rookie running back Dylan Sampson sprinting through Las Vegas’ defense for a 66-yard catch-and-run score.
Sanders also showcased strong accuracy, finding rookie receiver Isaiah Bond for a 52-yard strike that would’ve been his first touchdown if it wasn’t for a shoestring tackle.
Sanders’ performance was a breath of fresh air for Cleveland fans, who saw the team’s third win this season. Even President Donald Trump showed praise for the young signal-caller.
“Shedeur Sanders was GREAT. Wins first game, career start, as a pro (for Cleveland). Great Genes. I TOLD YOU SO!”
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Sanders acknowledged Trump’s support.
“I’m just thankful for him, even taking time out of his day to be able to speak out and support,” he said, via 92.3 The Fan.
Sanders will be facing a tough San Francisco 49ers defense in his first career start at home in Cleveland.
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Twenty men have been charged in a point-shaving scheme involving more than 39 college basketball players on more than 17 NCAA Division I teams, leading to more than 29 games being fixed, according to a federal indictment unsealed Thursday in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Fifteen of the defendants played college basketball during the 2023-24 and/or 2024-25 seasons, according to the indictment. Some have played this season. Two of the players named in the indictment, Cedquavious Hunter and Dyquavian Short, were sanctioned in November by the NCAA for fixing New Orleans games.
At least two of the defendants, Shane Hennen and Marves Fairley, were also charged in a federal indictment in the Eastern District of New York centered on gambling schemes in the NBA.
Former NBA player Antonio Blakeney was named but not charged in the indictment. The indictment describes Blakeney as being “charged elsewhere.”
The scheme, according to the indictment, began around September 2022 and initially was focused on fixing games in the Chinese Basketball Association. The group later targeted college basketball games, offering bribes to college players ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 to compromise games for betting purposes, according to the indictment.
“In placing these wagers on games they had fixed, the defendants defrauded sportsbooks, as well as individual sports bettors, who were all unaware that the defendants had corruptly manipulated the outcome of these games that should have been decided fairly, based on genuine competition and the best efforts of the players,” the indictment said.
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USAA on Thursday announced the three finalists for the NFL’s Salute to Service Award, and a dynasty in San Francisco could be on the rise.
After 49ers star George Kittle took home the award last year, Christian McCaffrey is among three finalists for the league’s award, along with Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson and Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones as the finalists — Jones was a finalist last year, as well.
“The finalists for the 15th Annual Salute to Service Award presented by USAA have used their platforms to be exceptional advocates for the military community, reminding us that service doesn’t stop when the uniform comes off,” Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Bob Whittle, Senior Vice President and Head of Military Affairs at USAA, said in a release.
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Christian McCaffrey, Jake Ferguson and Aaron Jones are this year’s Salute to Service Award finalists. (, G Fiume, and John Fisher/Getty Images)
“The NFL and USAA applaud Jake Ferguson, Aaron Jones, and Christian McCaffrey as deserving finalists who have demonstrated exactly what the award stands for — using the power of football to connect with, empower, appreciate and uplift our service members, veterans and their families.”
McCaffrey launched 23 and Troops in 2021 to focus on post-traumatic stress and athlete-level care for veterans. The foundation has raised $700,000 for military support and paid off holiday layaway for 515 military families.
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) celebrates his touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Santa Clara, California. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Ferguson has partnered with USAA to visit local military bases and supported the National Medal of Honor Museum, including an event in 2024 in which 900 students joined in person and thousands more virtually.
Jones grew up in a military household. His father, Alvin, served 29 years in the Army, while his mother, Vurgess, served for 27. Jones’ older brother, Xavier, serves in the Air Force. Jones and his twin brother, Alvin Jr., founded the A&A All the Way Foundation in 2020 to support the youth of military families.
The winner will be announced at NFL Honors in San Francisco on Feb. 5, the same night the MVP, Offensive and Defensive Players and Rookies, and Coach of the Year will be crowned.
George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a touchdown with Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter in the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium on Dec. 10, 2023, in Santa Clara, California. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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Whittle and Kittle will be among those on the judging panel for the award.
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Monday night’s game featuring hometown Miami and championship-starved Indiana is one of the toughest tickets in sports.
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