Shedeur Sanders spoke for the first time after a muted locker-room interview went viral and after former coach Rex Ryan harshly criticized him on TV. On Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, the Cleveland Browns rookie mimed his answers in the locker room after coach Kevin Stefanski named Dillon Gabriel the starter for the Week 5 game in London. The short, silent clip spread quickly across social media and then on TV. Rex Ryan called Sanders an “embarrassment” on ESPN, and the moment drew heavy reaction. Sanders gave a short reply, kept calm, and leaned on family support as the fuss grew.
Shedeur Sanders responds to Rex Ryan’s harsh rant after viral mime interview
Shedeur Sanders kept his answer small and let the clip speak. The mime happened after coach Kevin Stefanski said the team needed to focus and named Dillon Gabriel the starter for the upcoming game. Rex Ryan, on ESPN’s Get Up, blasted Sanders, saying the rookie “talks and he runs his mouth” and that Sanders should be “embarrassed.” Many fans and pundits debated whether the silent answers were mocking or a clever reply to critics.Some called it a clapback. Shedeur Sanders later told reporters he was “trying to walk outside” and to “trust the process,” keeping his tone light and not adding fuel to the fire. The short clip was filmed in the Browns locker room and quickly spread on social media. Local reporters and national shows replayed the moment and discussed what it meant for the young QB. It resonated. Also Read: What Made Deion Sanders Change The Spelling Of His Name? Here’s The Unexpected Story
Shedeur Sanders receives support from Deion Sanders and Pilar Sanders after Rex Ryan rant
Shedeur Sanders’ mother, Pilar Sanders, posted a fiery Instagram story calling Rex Ryan’s words “cancerous” and later deleted the post. Deion Sanders reacted to the silent interview by commenting “Good 1 son” with laughing emojis, showing he liked the move. Coach Kevin Stefanski stayed measured when answering questions about Sanders, saying the team must fix the offense and that Sanders’ role was not the main focus for the staff. With Dillon Gabriel named the starter, Shedeur remains a backup for now. Family members and fans rushed to defend Shedeur online, and several analysts said the story said more about media culture than the player. The Browns travel to London for Week 5, and how the team handles the QB spot will matter for the season. The family asked for respect and space.
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