For a 144th pick in the NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders continues to be a hot topic heading into this year’s NFL season. Many believe Sanders was shafted from the jump by not being picked in earlier rounds in the draft. The position from which he was drafted resulted in him becoming a fourth-string quarterback for the Cleveland Browns.

With three other options that were presumed to be better than him set before him, many wondered when we’d see him play. In the NFL preseason, the full depth chart tends to get an opportunity to see how they’d play in in-game situations. No one thought Sanders would get to play during week one, but that’s exactly what ended up happening.

Unforeseen circumstances

In what some would deem a perfect storm, veteran quarterback Joe Flacco was able to sit out for the first week of preseason activities. As it would turn out, Dillon Gabriel and Kenny Pickett were dealing with hamstring injuries that kept them from playing in week one as well. So, the proverbial clouds opened up for Sanders. And for those of us who have been following the son of Coach Prime, we all viewed this as more than a mere coincidence.

I believe that coincidences are a thing in life, but they aren’t nearly as prevalent as we think. Most things I find happen in some form of alignment. With all the hoopla that came with Sanders’s entrance to the NFL, I think his family saw it as a test. If Sanders continued to prepare and remain true to himself and the game, opportunity would have no choice but to present itself. It ultimately did ,and in vociferous fashion.

Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready

Not only did the former Colorado Buffalo start week one, but he won week one! The Browns trounced the Panthers 30-10. Sanders threw for two touchdowns, as well as ran for 19 yards. He also completed 14/23 passes. It really was a solid start for a quarterback who was at the bottom of his depth spot on the roster. Sanders showed his ability to lead drives and score, while also being efficient with his play. Now it’s only the beginning, and it’s only the preseason. But we’re seeing more from him sooner than we ever anticipated.

I couldn’t help but think that this was how it was all supposed to pan out. For us as spectators, there’s so much that we can take from this. Sometimes you’ll find yourself in a less-than-ideal spot as you’d define it. But you have no idea what that moment is meant to teach you. If you’re able to take something from it, look what could happen: unfathomable sequences of events.

That’s not to say that we want people to get injured for our benefit, by the way. I’m not supposing that at all. It’s just very humbling to witness how drastic a shift can happen that’ll allow some of your wildest dreams to still come true. It’s a reminder of what Deion Sanders has said in the past, “Keep making plays.”

Stay focused on doing what it is that you believe you’re meant to do. The way this world will find its way to bend to your desires can and will blow you away.