Dillon Gabriel Clarifies Comments About Shedeur Sanders
Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel clarified on Saturday that a comment made during an interview at the game was not intended as a dig at his teammate, Shedeur Sanders. After completing his preseason debut against the Philadelphia Eagles, Gabriel spoke during the CBS Sports broadcast about “ignoring the noise” surrounding the competition for the quarterback position in the Browns.Your comment about the “cheerleaders” was interpreted by many on social media as a reference to Sanders, who, despite being selected in the fifth round (two rounds after Gabriel), has received more attention. Sanders’ draft fall, after he was widely expected to be selected in the first round, and his famous father, Colorado coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, have made him one of the highest-profile NFL rookies this season. After the game, during which Gabriel completed 13 of 18 passes for 143 yards and two turnovers (one interception and one fumble), he issued a clarification about those comments. Gabriel explained in his post-game press conference that he refers to the media as “entertainers” and that his quote in the game was something he had said before.“Yes, it’s just a part of it. You know, there are entertainers and there are competitors, and I totally understand that. But my job is to compete. And that’s what I’m focusing on,” Gabriel said.
Dillon Gabriel
Sanders, who didn’t play in Saturday’s game due to an oblique injury, shined in his preseason debut the previous week, completing 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns against the Carolina Panthers. The two rookies and veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett are competing for the team’s quarterback position, although Flacco has consistently received first-team reps in practice.“Yes, first of all, I care about our team and others. I would never make that [comment about Sanders] and I’ve said that before, so that’s interesting, but for me I’ve explained that the entertainers are you, the competitors, that’s what I am and all my teammates and we both have work to do, that’s all,” Gabriel said.
Dillon Gabriel
