Colorado Buffaloes football legend Shedeur Sanders proved that Cleveland is very much his new home on Wednesday, showing up to Garden Valley Fun Fest, an event designed to bring healing and unity to traumatized families following a devastating fire last month, per Cleveland.com’s Olivia Mitchell.
The Browns’ rookie quarterback received rave reviews for being present in the community during a trying time, after a June 23 fire destroyed 44 units and displaced more than 120 residents, and Cordale Sheffield, 30, died on July 10 after undergoing multiple surgeries.
“Shedeur Sanders and his team reached out and said they wanted to come into the community to have a fun day so children and the families can smile again. And that’s exactly what he’s doing,” Ward 5 Councilman Richard Starr said.
Sanders called the event “more important than football.”
“Everything’s fun and it’s a great event for the city...to bring happiness here. I’m just enjoying myself here right now. When I leave here, then we’ll focus on the season, but right now, this is more important than football,” Sanders said.
Amidst an offseason of bad PR, from Sanders’ pre-draft meetings coming under the microscope to multiple speeding tickets in Cleveland, the “Grown QB” is showing his true character, making an appearance not every pro athlete would be willing to make.
If the Browns are going to give Sanders a shot, he needs to go above and beyond for his team and community.
On Wednesday, he did just that.