NFL legend Tom Brady has found himself at the center of a surprising controversy involving college football star Shedeur Sanders. The seven-time Super Bowl champion is facing backlash after being accused of fabricating or exaggerating claims regarding his relationship with the Colorado Buffaloes quarterback, Shedeur — son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.
The drama began when Brady made a recent appearance on a sports podcast, praising Shedeur for his work ethic and claiming he had been mentoring the young quarterback. Brady mentioned that they had exchanged messages and even suggested he had offered advice to Sanders about preparation, leadership, and handling the pressure of the spotlight. “I’ve talked to Shedeur several times,” Brady said. “He asks the right questions. He’s got a championship mindset.”
However, shortly after Brady’s comments made waves online, skepticism started to surface. A prominent college football analyst posted on social media, “You’re literally lying, Tom.” According to this analyst — and later echoed by various insiders — Brady may have overstated the nature of his relationship with Shedeur.
The root of the backlash lies in the perception that Brady is leveraging Shedeur’s rising stardom for attention or clout, particularly as the young quarterback continues to attract NFL scouts and media coverage. “Tom Brady doesn’t need to insert himself into every conversation about upcoming quarterbacks,” one X (formerly Twitter) user posted. “This feels like another PR move.”
Adding fuel to the fire, a source close to the Sanders family reportedly told a college football radio host that Brady and Shedeur have had minimal contact — possibly limited to a brief exchange during a Colorado practice last year. “There’s no ongoing mentorship. Shedeur respects him, of course, but they’re not texting buddies like Brady made it sound,” the source said.
The situation has ignited a debate in the sports world about Brady’s motivations. Some believe the criticism is overblown and that any words of encouragement Brady may have offered should be seen in a positive light. Others see this as yet another example of sports legends trying to remain relevant by associating themselves with the next generation.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith weighed in during his morning segment, stating, “Whether or not Brady exaggerated is beside the point. He’s Tom freakin’ Brady. If he says something encouraging to a young quarterback, it’s a good thing. Let’s not turn this into a scandal.”
However, not everyone agrees. Shannon Sharpe, who has a long history with both Brady and the Sanders family, offered a more critical take. “If Tom is just name-dropping to seem like he’s mentoring every young QB in America, that’s a problem. Don’t make it sound like you’re part of Shedeur’s inner circle if you’re not.”
This isn’t the first time Brady has been accused of embellishing relationships with up-and-coming athletes. Similar comments he made about mentoring young quarterbacks like Bryce Young and CJ Stroud in the past were also met with raised eyebrows, although not as much public backlash.
For his part, Shedeur Sanders has remained quiet on the issue. Known for keeping a low profile off the field, he hasn’t publicly confirmed or denied the extent of his relationship with Brady. However, in a previous interview earlier this year, Shedeur mentioned he admired Brady’s career but spoke more extensively about the guidance he receives from his father and the Colorado coaching staff.
Coach Deion Sanders, never one to shy away from headlines, briefly addressed the noise surrounding his son during a post-practice media session. “Look, Tom Brady is the GOAT. If he’s ever said something positive to my son, I appreciate it. But Shedeur’s got his own team, his own path, and he’s doing just fine without people speaking for him.”
As the story continues to unfold, the real question becomes less about what Brady said and more about how public figures navigate their roles in shaping narratives around young athletes. With the NFL Draft looming in the near future, every detail of Shedeur Sanders’ journey will be magnified, and any attempt to latch onto his momentum will be scrutinized.
For now, Tom Brady has not responded to the accusations. Whether he chooses to clarify or let the controversy fade will likely depend on how much traction the story continues to gain.
In a world where athletes’ relationships are constantly under the microscope and social media thrives on calling out inconsistencies, even the GOAT isn’t immune from being called out with a blunt “You’re literally lying
