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Kay Adams Has Message For Critics Of Shedeur Sanders

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Apr 15, 2025 11:42 AM ET

Kay Adams defended Shedeur Sanders from online criticism over wearing a hood and not shouting.

On Thursday, Sanders met with the Pittsburgh Steelers two weeks before the NFL Draft. Before leaving town, the quarterback spoke with Adams from a Pittsburgh airport. Conducting the interview from his phone, Sanders kept his jacket's hood over his head and spoke at a subdued volume to keep a low profile in a public location.

Critics have spent months scrutinizing Sanders' character, so the interview sparked some disapproval from people on social media. Adams shut down those remarks while speaking to FOX broadcaster and Colorado alum Joel Klatt on Tuesday's Up & Adams.

"I will say he was at the airport. He had his hood on, he was being so low-key," Adams said. "He just left the Pittsburgh facility and he was around tons of people trying not to be seen, to be respectful of me. Not the ideal situation he would have wanted for an interview."

Adams blasted all the "crap" comments Sanders endured from viewers who didn't take a moment to consider the situation.

"That is why I love him. Because there was no reason for him to get that, and he was getting it. I don't think any other player could have shown up that way," Adams said.

"Nobody cared about the context. Everyone just made a judgment like, 'Take your hood off, that's disrespectful,' or 'He's not speaking loudly.' He took the time at an airport, three seconds out of his huge day with [Mike] Tomlin and the Steelers, to talk about it. In that moment, everyone is so critical, and I hate everyone for that. And so I champion him."

While viewers questioned his demeanor and appearance, Adams felt Sanders conveyed confidence during their conversation.

Sanders has faced outsized character attacks throughout the pre-draft media cycle. Earlier this month, Klatt condemned "lazy journalism" from people trying to manufacture controversy and storylines before the draft.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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