Total Pro Sports
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel clarified his comment on “entertainers” that many viewed as a direct shot at teammate Shedeur Sanders.
In a sideline interview during Saturday’s preseason contest against the Philadelphia Eagles, the 24-year-old Dillon Gabriel said, “There’s entertainers, and there’s competitors.” Many folks thought this was a swipe at Sanders, known for embracing the media attention and spotlight.
#Browns Dillon Gabriel clarifies he meant the media are the entertainers and he’s a competitor and that he wasn’t taking a shot at Shedeur Sanders: “I’m all about the team” pic.twitter.com/I4EVCVmmxR
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 16, 2025
Per ESPN, Gabriel clarified his comments after the game, noting that he’s a “team” player and wouldn’t dare call out his rookie teammate.
“Yeah, first off, I’m all about our team and each other. I would never make that (comment about Sanders) and I’ve said it before that’s why it’s interesting, but for me I’ve explained it entertainers are you all, competitor, that’s what I am, and all my teammates and we both have jobs to do, so that’s it.”
#Browns Dillon Gabriel clarifies he meant the media are the entertainers and he’s a competitor and that he wasn’t taking a shot at Shedeur Sanders: “I’m all about the team” pic.twitter.com/I4EVCVmmxR
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 16, 2025
It’s all too easy to take things out of context in today’s age of social media. And for big-named athletes like Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, it’s easy for folks to twist a story into something bigger than it is.
The Browns seem poised to name Joe Flacco their Week 1 starting quarterback, so Gabriel is fighting for one of the backup QB spots. Thus, it’s hard to think he intended to rock the boat with his “entertainers” comment.
Gabriel’s first preseason game was a mixed bag, completing 13 of 18 pass attempts for 143 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. It certainly wasn’t as strong as Shedeur Sanders’ performance a week earlier, with the latter throwing two touchdowns against the Carolina Panthers.
