Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders had his Medina County home burglarized while he made his NFL debut on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, a team source confirmed to News 5's Camryn Justice.
Sanders, however, said he wasn't fazed by the incident as he prepares for his first NFL start this week.
According to a narrative from the Medina County Sheriff’s Office, three suspects entered Sanders' residence around 6:46 p.m., all wearing masks, hoodies and gloves.
"The suspects walked right up to a glass door where they paused for a moment while the first individual struggled to open the unlocked door. The glass door led into [REDACTED] bedroom where the suspects began ransacking his bedside nightstands, closet, and also overturned the pillows on the bed (not on video)," according to the sheriff's report narrative.
Surveillance cameras recorded the group moving through different parts of the home.
"The suspects then exited the bedroom with several bags and items taken from the bedroom, walked down a short hallway using their cell phone flashlights to illuminate their path before entering a nearby office."
About 12 minutes later, the group fled with an estimated $200,000 worth of Sanders' property, which Medina County Sheriff's Captain Eric Bors said was mostly clothing and personal items.
"It seemed very calculated," Bors said.
Sanders said that his jewelry was not taken in the break-in.
"None of my jewelry got took anyway," Sanders said. "Just caught slippin'. It happens."
Sanders joins a list of professional athletes whose homes have been burglarized while working, and Medina County Sheriff's deputies have not ruled out a connection to a theft ring targeting athletes.
"There are some definite similarities, and it's happening in places quite a distance from each other," Bors said. "Here in Ohio, Florida, Kansas City, it's happening to athletes in a few states."
Bors said Sanders' teammate, Myles Garrett, also had his home broken into, and they're working with state and federal authorities to crack the case.
The break-in at Sanders' home happened while he was stepping in against the Ravens after rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel was evaluated for a concussion. Cleveland kept the game close but ultimately fell to Baltimore, 23-16.
With how things went for Sanders and how focused he is on the task at hand, making his first NFL start a week after making his NFL debut, a home break-in is nothing that can impact his headspace.
"Mentally, emotionally, I know this is a trending topic that my house got broken into, but I am in a mental space now to where it's not too much that could phase me, honestly," Sanders said.
The sheriff's office is continuing to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to contact Bors at 330-764-3617 or ebors@medinacounty.gov.
