Everywhere you look online this week, people are talking about Shedeur Sanders.
Not because of the stats.
Not because of the drama.
But because his story hit the one thing humans can’t resist: The Hero’s Journey.

And this is the part nobody talks about, the Hero’s Journey isn’t some dusty mythology concept just for classic movies. It’s the engine that drives almost every story we fall in love with. And right now, we’re watching one unfold in real time.

Here’s how we see it with Shedeur:

It starts with the ordinary world, Shedeur stepping into the NFL with all the opinions, labels, and expectations already attached to him. Then comes the call to adventure: the draft, the transition, the moment you finally step into the arena.

But this is where it gets interesting.
Most heroes refuse the call.
Shedeur didn’t.

What he got was something different: a denial of the call.

The NFL, the billionaires, the power structure, the machine, basically said, “You’re not worthy yet.” That’s the early villain in every Hero’s Journey.

And then came the part we all felt online. The hero steps forward anyway. Shows up anyway. Competes anyway. Smiles anyway. And then finally, the moment of breakthrough. The first big NFL game. The first win. The first sign that the journey is real.

It’s not the end.
It’s not the climax.
It’s the beginning of the arc.

And this is why people can’t stop talking about him. Not because everybody likes him, but because the structure is familiar. Our brains are wired for it. So when sport commentator Rex Ryan says, "This isn't RUDY". He's wrong. It absolutely is RUDY! And the NFL turned him into the hero! Even if it was an accident.

And here’s what I want you to see:

As a filmmaker, writer, actor, storyteller; you need to be watching this like a masterclass. Sports is the best real-time storytelling on earth. The analysts break down the character, the setbacks, the doubt, the comeback, the emotional stakes. They understand arcs better than half the studio execs.

So when you’re building your characters, don’t just think “plot.” Don’t write stream of conscious... Look for the arc. Look for the hero. Look for the reason the audience leans in and says, “Oh… that’s me.”

If real-life, stories can pull millions of people into a narrative across social media. Your stories can do the same if you build them using the same timeless structure.

Humans are built for stories. We respond to what we recognize. And the Hero’s Journey?

We recognize that every time.

Happy Writing,

Nicki Micheaux

P.S. Hit reply and tell me your favorite real-life Hero's Journey.

Quote of the Day:
“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere despite overwhelming obstacles.” — Christopher Reeve