Dillon Gabriel’s sideline interview during preseason week 2 took a different turn when fans online concluded he was throwing shade at Shedeur Sanders.
The former Oregon quarterback’s comments sparked debate, but not everyone saw it that way. On Undisputed, Skip Bayless pushed back against the idea that Gabriel was dissing the former Colorado QB.
“I don’t think it was a shot at Shedeur as an entertainer, as some social media type star who can’t play, who doesn’t compete, because I think Dillon Gabriel’s been around Shedeur long enough to know, as Dillon stood on the sidelines watching Shedeur in that opener of the preseason.”
Later, when the comment went viral, he clarified that he called the media “entertainers” while the players were the “competitors.”
Skip Praises Shedeur Sanders’ Competitive Spirit
What he said about Shedeur being an ultimate competitor shows just how much Skip Bayless cheers for him. “I’m going to say it again, Shedeur Sanders is the ultimate competitor,” Bayless said.
He pointed to the punishment Sanders endured during his first two years at Colorado, calling the hits “hellacious, unholy beatings.” Despite all that, Shedeur never backed down. He kept getting up, competing, and delivering throws under pressure.
Bayless emphasized that toughness combined with elite accuracy is what sets him apart. “He led the nation in completion percentage because he’s deadly accurate. He has a Bradyesque arm. Definitely above average. Throws great deep balls.”
In Bayless’ view, Sanders isn’t just a flashy player with social media buzz; he’s proven himself as a reliable, tough, and skilled quarterback built for the big stage.
Skip Bayless Defends Shedeur Against Dillon Gabriel
And even if Dillon was taking a shot, Skip Bayless believes he is so wrong. Bayless addressed the viral moment head-on, saying, “And if he did mean that, if it was aimed at Shedeur and not the media, we’re the entertainers, he’s the competitor, then boy is Dillon Gabriel ever dead wrong about that.”
For Bayless, Shedeur Sanders embodies the best of both worlds. “Shedeur is both. He can be an entertainer on social, and he’s the ultimate competitor, even more of a competitor to me than Dillon Gabriel.”
That balance of media presence and grit on the field, Bayless argued, is what makes Sanders unique. He’s not just posting highlights for clicks; he’s backing it up with hard-fought performances, poise, and accuracy under pressure.
To Skip, suggesting otherwise dismisses the resilience Shedeur has shown, and that’s exactly why Gabriel’s comment, intentional or not, misses the mark completely.
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