After Shedeur Sanders’ first career win, a Kendrick Perkins declared him “the most powerful Black man since 2009.” The bold statement immediately set fans talking on X, with reactions pouring in from all sides.
Supporters praised Shedeur Sanders’ leadership and on-field dominance, while skeptics questioned the comparison to other cultural icons.
Why the Podcaster Thinks Shedeur Sanders Holds Unmatched Influence
After Shedeur Sanders’ first career win, NBA Veteran Kendrick Perkins made a striking claim. He claimed that since 2009, when Barack Obama became the first Black President in the US, Shedeur Sanders has followed suit with his incredible influence.
He explained that Shedeur is now showing a new kind of influence, following in Obama’s footsteps, uniting and inspiring the Black community. “When I say powerful, powerful because it’s two sides of him, right?… You got the Black community he bringing the whole Black community together.”
Highlighting his rare balance, Perkins added, “I ain’t ran across one Black person that didn’t say what bad things about Shedeur. Because he has the balance. He has the balance of that I’m arrogant, but I’m humbled too.”
Fans immediately flooded X with reactions after the clip went viral.
How Fans Reacted to Kendrick Perkins Remarks
Kendrick Perkins statement about Shedeur Sanders’ influence took X users on a frenzy. Some fans agreed, while others shared contrary opinions to the sentiments.
“This is a crazy take but the polarization is soooo big that you can’t even be mad at this take,” one fan wrote on X. Another added, “I love Shedeur but it’s still LeBron.”
Others debated the significance of comparing Shedeur Sanders to historical and cultural figures. “Seems like a stretch. Off the top of my head, more powerful Black people since 2009: LeBron, Curry, Kaepernick, Mahomes, Tiger, Stephen A, Aaron Judge, Serena Williams, Kobe, Usain Bolt,” one user listed.
Some praised his leadership and on-field impact. “It’s too much of a responsibility if you ask me… but Perkins is right tho,” one fan noted.
Another highlighted that his rapid rise still needs context: “Not humble at all, after beating the Raiders act he’s arrived and climbed the hierarchy of the NFL to enter next offseason as the guy… We’ll see how it goes. Not rooting for him to fail, but he has climbed one of 100 steps before he is viewed as a franchise guy.”
Fans also noted his attention-grabbing presence: “Put it this way. Powerful in the sense that everybody has something to say about him. The supporters will support and the haters will hate but folks are watching, and that’s all the NFL wants. Rooting for the kid. I watched that game because he was playing, period. Lol.”
Others highlighted his personal qualities, including faith: “The best thing about him is his relationship with God.”
Others urged patience: “I love Deion to death and I love his family & I’m a fan of Shedeur, but we gotta stop overhyping shit early and let his game speak for him.”
Even President Donald Trump weighed in. “Shedeur Sanders was GREAT. Wins first game, career start, as a pro (for Cleveland). Great Genes. I TOLD YOU SO!” President Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform, adding another layer to the discussion.
Fan reactions were clearly mixed, ranging from strong support to skeptical pushback, reflecting the intense debate around Shedeur Sanders’ influence, leadership, and rapidly rising profile in the NFL and beyond.
Also Read: Rex Ryan Tells Shedeur Sanders To Not Be All About Himself After First NFL Win