Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders experienced an unexpected and unsettling off-field incident during one of the biggest moments of his football career. While the 22-year-old made his NFL debut on Sunday, Nov. 16, multiple outlets reported that Sanders’ home in Ohio was broken into during the game.
Reports from ESPN, NBC Sports, Pro Football Talk, Cleveland.com, and the Akron Beacon Journal all confirmed the incident through sources close to the situation. The break-in occurred while Sanders was at Huntington Bank Field facing the Baltimore Ravens.
At this time, officials have not confirmed whether any items were stolen, and no suspects have been identified, according to Cleveland.com.
A Disturbing Pattern of Athletes Targeted During Games
Shedeur Sanders is now at least the sixth NFL player whose home has been burglarized while he was on the field playing. The growing trend of targeted break-ins has raised concerns across professional sports, with more than a dozen athletes victimized in recent months.
Last year alone, the homes of superstar players such as Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Joe Burrow, and Saints defensive end Cam Jordan were broken into, prompting a league-wide discussion about athlete safety.
In fact, the NFL previously issued a memo in late 2024 to team security directors and the NFLPA, warning that organized crime rings were actively targeting athletes’ homes, especially those of high-profile NBA and NFL players. The memo encouraged players to increase privacy, avoid real-time social media posting, and invest in advanced home security systems.
Earlier this year, seven Chilean nationals were charged in connection with several of those burglaries, allegedly stealing more than $2 million in valuables and tracking athletes’ schedules online to time their break-ins.
Sanders’ NFL Debut Amid Off-Field Turmoil
Sunday’s matchup against the Baltimore Ravens marked Sanders’ first NFL appearance since the Browns selected him with the 144th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He entered the game in the second half after starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel was placed in concussion protocol.
Sanders completed 4 of 16 passes for 47 yards and threw one interception during the Browns’ 23–16 loss.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said after the game that Sanders will start next week against the Las Vegas Raiders if Gabriel remains out.
A representative for Sanders has not yet responded to comments about the burglary.
Player Safety Now a Major NFL Talking Point
With Sanders joining a list of NFL stars who have been victimized during games, concerns over athlete security continue to intensify. Law enforcement, league officials, and team security units are expected to reassess current measures designed to protect players whose schedules and locations are widely publicized.
As the investigation continues, Sanders is focused on preparing for his potential first NFL start next week — while dealing with an incident no professional athlete expects during such a milestone moment.
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