Sanders was pulled over by the Strongsville Police Department at approximately 12:24 a.m. on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, while driving northbound on Interstate 71 near the Ohio Turnpike bridge. The 23-year-old was operating his black 2025 Dodge Ram TRX pickup truck at 101 mph in a 60-mph zone, exceeding the speed limit by 41 mph. His girlfriend, driving a separate vehicle, was also stopped for speeding at 92 mph but received only a warning.
Bodycam footage of the traffic stop shows Sanders expressing disbelief about his speed, telling the officer he didn’t think he was going that fast. The officer responded,
“How fast did you think you were going if you didn’t think you were 101? Because I know this truck, supercharged, will do it.”
As a result of the citation, Sanders faces a $250 fine for a fourth-degree misdemeanor or can contest the citation in Strongsville Mayor’s Court on July 3, 2025. He can avoid a court appearance by paying the fine in advance. The Browns organization has declined to comment on the incident when contacted by media outlets.
Selected by the Browns in the fifth round (144th overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders. His draft position surprised many analysts, as he was initially projected as a first-round pick but fell unexpectedly in the rankings. Sanders played college football at Jackson State and Colorado, coached by his father at both schools.
Over two seasons at Colorado, he amassed 7,364 passing yards, 64 touchdowns, and just 13 interceptions. In his final season with the Buffaloes in 2024, he threw for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns, earning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. Sanders is currently competing for a quarterback spot with the Browns alongside fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel and veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, with training camp set to begin in late July following the team’s recent mandatory minicamp.
Despite the off-field hiccup, Sanders has earned positive reviews from within the Browns organization. Star defensive end Myles Garrett spoke highly of the rookie during minicamp, noting that “everyone was surprised” Sanders fell to the fifth round.
“He’s come to camp and OTAs with a great attitude. He’s a hard-working guy, he has a good head on his shoulders, He’s always positive, always optimistic, always puts a smile on his face. You like going to work with people who have that kind of attitude.”
Garrett said.
As Sanders adjusts to life in the NFL, this speeding incident underscores the scrutiny and responsibilities that come with being a professional athlete. While his on-field future with the Browns remains uncertain, his off-field actions have already put him in the spotlight—for better or worse.
