Beyond the NFL Draft: The Test of Character Begins Now

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The NFL Draft can be exciting or exhausting. A player can go higher than his expected draft position, causing him to be shocked or surprised — or he can go lower and be depressed and devastated. The entire weekend brings either euphoria or sadness.

What often gets lost in the midst of all the highs and lows is this: the moment is fleeting.

Players drafted high can have horrible careers. Players drafted lower can go on to have wonderful, historic careers. The draft isn’t an exact science. Many of the outcomes are yet to be determined, because the content of each player’s character now becomes the defining variable in whether they succeed or fail.

Shedeur Sanders — son of Deion and starting quarterback at the University of Colorado — serves as a poignant example of the unpredictability of the draft.

Despite being a highly touted prospect, Sanders found himself slipping further down the draft board as franchises passed him by. Analysts questioned his readiness, pointing to inconsistencies in his performance under pressure. The media loved him. The professionals weren’t so sure.

Which begs the question — who’s right and who’s wrong? The answer lies in what happens next.

The real test will be: Can Sanders overcome adversity? Can he become self-aware enough to recognize what he needs to adjust in order to prove the pundits wrong?

Overcoming adversity requires resilience, self-awareness, and a willingness to adapt. It starts with embracing challenges as opportunities for growth rather than seeing them as insurmountable obstacles.

Recognizing that failure isn’t a definitive endpoint — but instead a stepping stone — allows individuals to reframe their setbacks into lessons. For athletes like Sanders, and for anyone who faces moments of doubt, the path forward lies in discipline and consistent effort.

Support systems — mentors, coaches, family, teammates — play a vital role in navigating tough times. Seeking guidance and constructive feedback helps refine skills and develop strategies to address weaknesses.

This is where being self-aware is essential. Equally important is cultivating a mindset of perseverance — putting in the hard work even when the results aren’t immediately visible.

And finally, having a clear vision of your goals and regularly reminding yourself of the “why” behind them can provide the motivation to keep pushing. Adversity is an inevitable part of any journey. But those who rise above it often find themselves stronger, wiser, and better prepared for the road ahead.

We can all look at the intense media coverage of Shedeur Sanders’ draft slide and react one way or another — depending on our bias toward his father, or him as a player. What we need to do is put ourselves in his shoes — to understand what he’s facing — and then ask: How would we react?

Because at some point, this will happen to all of us in our careers. And what we can learn from this example might help us overcome the obstacles we will eventually face.

The real story doesn’t lie with Sanders. It lies in asking ourselves one question: How would we react? How would we change the narrative?

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