President Donald Trump Hails Rookie QB's Debut as Cleveland Upsets Raiders 24-10

November 24, 2025 | Washington, D.C. — In a rare bipartisan moment on the gridiron, President Donald Trump lavished praise on Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders following the young star's electrifying NFL debut, leading his team to a decisive 24-10 upset over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday afternoon.

Sanders, the highly touted son of NFL legend Deion Sanders and a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, stepped into the starting role for the first time amid skepticism from analysts and fans alike. Trump, who had vocally championed the Colorado product during the draft process—criticizing league owners for letting Sanders slip out of the first round—couldn't resist a triumphant "I told you so" on social media and in a White House briefing room statement.

"He's a winner, folks. Shedeur Sanders is the real deal—I said it from day one, and look what happened today. The Browns are back, and America's football is stronger because of talents like him," Trump declared, referencing his pre-draft endorsements that had raised eyebrows in sports circles. The president, a self-proclaimed sports aficionado, went on to highlight Sanders' poise under pressure, noting the rookie's completion of 11 out of 20 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns, including a game-sealing 32-yard strike to wide receiver Amari Cooper in the fourth quarter.

The victory marked the Browns' first win of the 2025 season and injected new life into a franchise long plagued by quarterback woes. Sanders' debut wasn't without its hiccups—a fumble recovered by the Raiders early in the second quarter—but his dual-threat ability shone through, as he added 42 rushing yards on scrambles that kept the Las Vegas defense off-balance.

Trump's endorsement isn't entirely surprising; the president has a history of aligning with high-profile athletes who embody his "America First" ethos, from praising UFC fighters to golfing with pros. During the draft in April, Trump took to Truth Social to blast NFL commissioners, calling the oversight of Sanders "a disgrace" and predicting he'd "shred defenses like no one's business." Sanders, drafted 142nd overall after a stellar college career at Colorado where he threw for over 12,000 yards, has leaned into the hype, crediting his father's coaching and Trump's unexpected support for fueling his fire.

"Shedeur's got that Sanders swagger—cool under fire, just like his old man," Trump added in a Fox News interview snippet aired post-game. "I told the owners: draft him high, or regret it. They didn't listen, but Cleveland did, and now they're winning. Beautiful."

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski echoed the sentiment in his post-game presser, calling Sanders "a leader from the jump" and thanking the front office for the bold selection. The win improves Cleveland's record to 1-10, offering a glimmer of hope as they head into a Thanksgiving matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

As the NFL season barrels toward the playoffs, Sanders' meteoric rise—and Trump's unfiltered boosterism—could become a subplot in the league's narrative. For now, in the Steel City turned Dawg Pound, one thing is clear: the rookie has arrived, and even the commander-in-chief is cheering from the sidelines.