A Colorado football fan has filed a $100 million lawsuit against the National Football League, claiming Shedeur Sanders’ fall to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft resulted from a coordinated effort to damage the quarterback’s reputation. The fan filed the civil suit in Atlanta under the pseudonym “John Doe,” accusing the NFL of collusion, defamation and violations of federal antitrust and civil rights laws.
The Los Angeles Times first identified the plaintiff as Eric Jackson, a Buffaloes fan who filed under the pseudonym but revealed his identity by indicating he represents himself.
Straight Arrow News confirmed through court records that the plaintiff, Eric Jackson, filed the lawsuit under “John Doe” and will represent himself. He filed pro se, a legal term meaning he is acting as his attorney.
The complaint described him as a longtime supporter of Colorado football who closely followed Sanders during the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
What does the lawsuit allege?
Jackson filed the suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. Among the legal claims are violations of antitrust laws, civil rights protections and consumer transparency rules. It also alleges intentional infliction of emotional distress, claiming the league amplified negative narratives that Sanders “tanked interviews,” “wasn’t prepared” and “was too cocky.”
The filing claims NFL teams intentionally coordinated to delay Sanders’ selection, ignoring projections that placed him among early picks. The suit argues the league’s actions damaged Sanders’ image and cost him earnings, distress that the plaintiff says affected him deeply as a fan.
What does the plaintiff want?
Jackson is seeking $100 million in damages and is asking the court to compel the NFL to hand over scouting reports, interview notes, and communications involving Sanders. He believes discovery will show that the NFL unfairly downgraded Sanders, who had received higher grades before the draft.
The suit also requests a public apology and retraction of any defamatory statements about Sanders. Jackson is pushing for the implementation of draft reforms to ensure players are evaluated fairly and transparently.
How did Sanders perform and why was his draft stock controversial?
Sanders, son of NFL Hall of Famer and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, passed for over 4,000 yards and 37 touchdowns during the 2024 season, earning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors. Despite his on-field production, the Cleveland Browns did not select him until pick No. 144 in the fifth round, after drafting another quarterback earlier.
NFL insiders, including former MVP Boomer Esiason, suggested that Sanders’ demeanor turned teams off in interviews. Some reports claimed Sanders intentionally underperformed in meetings to avoid specific franchises. The lawsuit argues those characterizations were unfair, unfounded and financially damaging.
Is the lawsuit likely to succeed?
Legal experts said the case is a long shot. USC law professor Clare Pastore told the Los Angeles Times that the plaintiff lacks standing and that the harm described is too general to justify damages. She called the $100 million claim “absurd,” noting that feeling upset as a fan doesn’t meet the legal threshold for emotional distress.
What is the plaintiff’s goal?
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Jackson, still using his John Doe pseudonym, said his goal is to uncover what he believes is an orchestrated effort to harm Sanders’ draft position. He wants a judge to allow evidence that could challenge reports about Sanders’ attitude or effort.
Jackson said he took legal action because he felt Sanders couldn’t defend himself against what he sees as unfair treatment. He argues that while Sanders cannot file a defamation claim due to league power dynamics, fans like himself can still demand accountability.
What happens next?
The case is pending in federal court. The plaintiff has requested to proceed in forma pauperis, asking the court to waive filing fees due to financial hardship. A judge must now decide whether the lawsuit has enough merit to move forward.
The NFL has not publicly commented on the lawsuit as of this reporting.
