Emmanuel Sanders

At 37 years old, Emmanuel Sanders has this physical status:

Emmanuel Niamiah Sanders (born March 17, 1987) is an American football wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL).

He played college football at SMU and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

Personal life

Stephanie Sanders, Sanders' mother, died at the age of 41 in 2011. He has two younger sisters.

Sanders married Gabriella Waheed in 2013. Princeton (born 2014) and Zoie (born 2016) are the two children together.

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High school career

Sanders was a student at Bellville High School in Bellville, Texas, where he competed in football, basketball, baseball, baseball, and track. Sanders, a footballer in whom he was most notable, was a first-team All-District performer at running back, wide receiver, and safety. He rushed for 499 yards with six touchdowns and a score as a senior while also throwing for a touchdown. He had 49 tackles and three interceptions on defense. Following his senior season, he was named Team MVP and Tri-County Offensive Player of the Year. During his high school years, he received seven All-District awards. Sanders preferred SMU over scholarship offers from TCU, Kansas, Baylor, and Houston, despite being regarded solely as a two-star recruit by both Rivals.com and Scout.com.

College career

Sanders, a three-year starter at Southern Methodist University under head coaches Phil Bennett and June Jones, after graduating from high school. He has been named All-Conference honors for his two seasons. Sanders made 46 receptions for 605 yards and nine touchdowns as a freshman. He had 74 receptions for 889 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore. He had 67 receptions for 958 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior. He had 98 receptions for 1,339 and seven touchdowns as a senior. In addition, he had 13.8 yards on 20 punt returns for an additional score.

Professional career

In the third round (82nd overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Sanders. He was the first wide receiver drafted by the Steelers in 2010 and alongside Antonio Brown. He was the seventh wide receiver selected in the first round.

On June 15, 2010, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced Sanders' three-year, $1.80 million contract, which also includes a signing bonus of $586,000.

During training camp, he played for the fourth wide receiver position on the depth chart against Antonio Brown and Tyler Grisham. Sanders was the fifth wide receiver on the depth chart to start the regular season, behind Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, Antwaan Randle El, and Arnaz Battle.

Sanders made his NFL debut against the Atlanta Falcons in a 15–9 season-opening victory. Since the Steelers' coaching staff decided to use Antonio Brown instead due to his new special teams abilities, he missed the next three games (Weeks 2–4) as a healthy scratch. Sanders' first NFL reception was on October 17, 2010, as he passed quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the second quarter. Sanders gained playing time after defeating Antwaan Randle El on the depth chart and becoming the No. 1 in Week 9. Wide receiver With a 3rd wide receiver. In Week 10, he caught five passes for 41 yards and scored his first NFL touchdown on a six-yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger.

Sanders played in 13 games and two touchdowns in his rookie year. He had 25 kick returns for 628 yards and logged ten total tackles on special teams.

Sanders, Wallace, and Brown became the "Young Money Family" or "Young Money Crew" collectively, inspired by rapper Lil Wayne during the 2010 season. Sanders' first initial is often referred to as "E," and the wide receiver trio also named the name "Bugatti Boys" after a rap group.

The Steelers finished atop the AFC North with a 12–4 record and secured a first-round bye in the playoffs. Sanders played in his first NFL playoff game and caught four passes for 54 yards in the Steelers' 31–24 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Round on January 15, 2011. After defeating the New York Jets 24-19 in the AFC Championship game, the Wolves went on to participate in the Super Bowl. Sanders made two catches for 17 yards before leaving in the second quarter after suffering a foot injury while making a 13-yard field catch on February 6, 2011. He was rushed off the field and was unable to return and was refused to return. The Steelers went on to lose 31–25 to the Green Bay Packers, who lost 31–25. Sanders' foot fractured his foot during the game, it was discovered.

Sanders underwent surgery on his foot on April 4, 2011, after he suffered it during Super Bowl XLV. Sanders also started training camp against Antonio Brown and Antwaan Randle El for the No. 1 position in the No. 76 rankings. The wide receiver position is a 3rd wide receiver. Since suffering a stress fracture in his foot, he was unable to participate in the first three preseason games. He was the fourth wide receiver on the depth chart to start the regular season, behind Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, and Antonio Brown.

Since undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery, he missed games in Week 9 and Week 10. Since suffering inflammation in his left foot, Sanders missed three more games this season (Weeks 14-16).

Sanders had 22 receptions for 288 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games and zero starts in the 2011 season. During a 29-23 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Wild Card Round on January 8, 2012, Sanders caught six passes for 81 yards.

Since the Steelers' decision not to offer him a contract extension, Hines Ward and offensive coordinator Bruce Arians were fired in the 2012 off-season. Sanders came into camp as the third wide receiver on the depth chart, but he began playing as a starting wide receiver after Mike Wallace was ruled out due to his contract. Sanders was named the No. 1 by head coach Mike Tomlin. Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown are the only two wide receivers on the depth chart to begin the regular season.

Sanders made his second appearance in the Cincinnati Bengals on October 21, 2012. After quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was fired, he went down with a leg injury in the fourth quarter. Despite the fact that the Steelers had a timeout, Sanders was believed to have faked the leg cramps to slow the clock. Sanders was fined $15,000 and the Steelers $35,000 for the offence on November 9, 2012. As a result of being out of his pain and suffering from his injury, NFL Vice President Ray Anderson used video evidence of Sanders outsprinting his teammates, just one play after being unable to move. This was the first time a player was suspended for cause of an accident in league history.

Sanders finished the 2012 season with 44 receptions for 626 yards and a touchdown in 16 games and seven starts. In 2012, the Pittsburgh Steelers finished 8-8, but did not qualify for the playoffs.

Sanders was given an original rounder tender by the Steelers on March 12, 2013 as a restricted free agent. Any team that signs Sanders or has the ability to match any contract offer by any teams trying to sign Sanders, the tender gave them a third-round pick from any team trying to sign Sanders. Sanders spent a private visit with the New England Patriots on March 15, 2013 and was given an offer sheet. Sanders signed his trade sheet from the New England Patriots and the Steelers on April 10, 2013. The Steelers matched the Patriots' offer sheet on April 14, 2013, keeping Sanders for the 2013 season.

After Mike Wallace signed with the Miami Dolphins during free agency, head coach Mike Tomlin named Sanders and Antonio Brown as the starting wide receivers for the regular season. Sanders had 67 receptions for 740 yards and six touchdowns in 16 games and six starts in the 2013 season.

Sanders became a highly sought-after player after 2013 and was a highly in demand player. He received bids from the New England Patriots, Oakland, Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as well as the San Francisco Bay Buccaneers. Sanders was not invited to Sanders by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Sanders was signed by the Denver Broncos to a three-year, $15 million contract with guaranteed monthly income and a signing bonus of $3 million. Executives representing the Kansas City Chiefs allege that Sanders' agent, Steve Weinberg, had agreed to a mutually agreed to a term with the Chiefs in principle the next day.

Sanders was hired to replace Eric Decker, who left for the New York Jets in a free agency. Demaryius Thomas and Wes Welker in the slot were included in head coach John Fox's starting out wide receiver.

In a 31–24 victory, Sanders got off to a good start against the Indianapolis Colts in the Broncos' season-opener. In the Broncos' 26–20 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3, Sanders passed for 149 yards on a season-high 11 passes. Sanders' first touchdown as a Bronco was on October 19, 2014, when they defeated the San Francisco 49ers 42-17. In the Broncos' 35–21 victory over the San Diego Chargers, Sanders intercepted nine passes for 120 yards and a career-high three touchdown receptions. After being struck by Rams safety Rodney McLeod during the Broncos' 22–7 loss to the St. Louis Rams on November 16, 2014, he sustained a concussion. During a 43-21 loss to the New England Patriots, Sanders passed for ten receptions for a season-high 151 receiving yards.

Sanders finished the 2014 season with a career-high in receptions (101), receiving yards (1,404), and touchdowns (nine) and played in all 16 games. Sanders made his first Pro Bowl appearance during his 2014 season.

With a 12–4 record and a first-round bye, the Broncos finished atop the AFC West with a 12–4 record and were deemed a first-round bye. The Broncos lost 24-13 to the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Divisional Round on January 11, 2015. Sanders played his first NFL playoff game and collected seven passes for 46 yards.

The Denver Broncos and head coach John Fox agreed to part ways on January 12, 2015, capping Sanders' one-and-only season under Fox and offensive coordinator Adam Gase. The Denver Broncos' general manager John Elway announced the addition of Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak as the Broncos' next head coach on January 19, 2015.

Sanders and Demaryius Thomas were the starting wide receivers for the regular season, according to offensive coordinator Rick Dennison. Sanders was inactive for the Broncos' Week 11 victory over the Chicago Bears due to an ankle injury. In a 34–27 loss to his former team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, on December 20, 2015, Sanders had ten catches for a career-high 181 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Sanders had 76 receptions, 1,135 receiving yards, and six touchdowns in 15 games and 15 starts in the 2015 season. This was also his first season as the Broncos' backup punt returner, with 17 punt returns for 103 return yards. Sanders received an overall rating of 86.2, his highest rank among all wide receivers.

With 12–4 wins, the Broncos remained undefeated in the AFC West, and they were No. 2 in the AFC West. With a first-round bye, the AFC has been seeded in the playoffs. During the Broncos' 23-16 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sanders got off to the AFC Divisional Round for 85 yards. The Broncos defeated the New England Patriots by a score of 20-18 in the AFC Championship the following week. In both teams' victory over the Carolina Panthers by a score of 24–10 on February 7, 2016, Sanders led all receivers in both teams to 83 yards. On the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016, he came in 74th out of 74th place by his peers.

The Broncos signed Sanders to a three-year, $33 million contract extension, which included $20 million as a result of a one-year deal extension and a signing bonus of $10.75 million.

Peyton Manning's retirement and Brock Osweiler's departure in a free agency sparked the off-season. Sanders and Thomas were the starting wide receiver pair with Trevor Siemian as their new quarterback. During the Broncos' 29-17 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, he caught nine touchdowns and two touchdowns. Sanders had seven catches for a season-high 172 receiving yards and a touchdown as the Broncos were defeated 30–27 by the Kansas City Chiefs on November 27, 2016. In a 13-ten loss to the Tennessee Titans on December 11, 2016, he had a season-high 11 receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown.

Sanders had 79 receptions, 1,032 receiving yards, and five touchdowns in 16 games and 16 starts in the 2016 season. This was his third straight season with more than 1,000 receiving yards. With a 9–7 record, the Broncos finished third in the AFC West and did not qualify for the playoffs. He received his second Pro Bowl nomination.

Gary Kubiak, the head coach, announced his departure on January 2, 2017 due to health issues. Sanders and Demaryius Thomas were the starting wide receivers for the regular season, according to Vance Joseph.

Sanders had six receptions for 62 yards and a season-high two touchdowns in the 42-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on September 17, 2017. As the Broncos lost 26–16 to the Buffalo Bills this week, he caught a season-high seven passes for 75 receiving yards. During the third quarter of the Broncos' Week 6 loss to the New York Giants, he strained his ankle and missed the next two games (Weeks 7–8). During a 41-16 loss to the New England Patriots, Sanders passed for six touchdowns on a season-high 137 receiving yards. After suffering another ankle injury, he was sidelined for the last two games of the season (Weeks 16-17) during the season's season.

Sanders had 47 receptions for 555 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games and 11 starts in the 2017 season. Sanders was also on his lowest point in his rookie season under offensive coordinator Mike McCoy, who arrived in Denver. Sanders received a 70.7 overall rating, placing him 64th among all wide receivers in 2017.

In a victory over the Seattle Seahawks, Sanders started the season off right with ten receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown. He had seven receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 6. Sanders threw a touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton and recorded six catches for 102 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown pass from Case Keenum, in a 45-10 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday Night Football, earning him AFC Offensive Player of the Week. Sanders suffered a torn Achilles during his workout on December 5, capping his season. Sanders finished the 2018 season with 71 receptions for 868 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

Sanders returned from injury just in time for the season-opener against the Oakland Raiders on Monday Night Football. Sanders' first touchdown of the season came in the 24–16 road loss. Sanders flocked 11 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown as the Broncos lost 16–14.

Sanders and the San Francisco 49ers were traded to the San Francisco 49ers on October 22, 2019, along with a 2020 fifth-round pick in exchange for 2020 third- and fourth-round picks.

During Week 8 against the Carolina Panthers, Sanders made his 49ers debut against the Panthers. In the 51–13 victory, he had four passes for 25 yards and a touchdown. As the 49ers defeated the Arizona Cardinals in the next game, he had seven catches for 112 receiving yards and a touchdown. Sanders passed for a 35-yard touchdown and made seven passes for 157 yards and a 75-yard touchdown during Week 14 against the New Orleans Saints. Sanders passed for 61 yards, including a 46-yard reception that set up a game-winning field goal during the 34-31 victory. Sanders became the first player to get a pass in 17 games in a season since being traded by the Broncos before the 49ers' bye week and following the 49ers' bye week. He had 66 receptions for 869 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns during the 2019 season. After beating the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers in the playoffs, Sanders helped the 49ers win Super Bowl LIV. Sanders had three catches for 38 yards in the Super Bowl, but the 49ers lost 31-20 to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Sanders announced on April 6, 2020, that he had a two-year, $16 million contract, with salary increases to $19 million with the New Orleans Saints.

Sanders had a career-high 12 receptions for 122 yards against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football in Week 5 on Monday Night Football. By October 23, he was added to the reserve/COVID-19 list and activated on November 4.

Sanders was released by the Saints on March 16, 2021.

Sanders signed with the Buffalo Bills on March 17, 2021.

Sanders updated his number to number one on April 29, 2021, after the National Football League uniform numbers ruling had changed earlier this month. He had previously wore number 10. Sanders played in 14 games this season, totaling 42 receptions for 626 yards and four touchdowns, while the Bills' two playoff games saw him gain another three yards and a touchdown.

Sanders announced his retirement on September 7, 2022, as an honorary member of the Broncos who had won Super Bowl 50 with in 2016 and where he spent the majority of his time. "I gave it my best," he said in his address. Every single show, I tried to go 100 percent as hard as I could. And here's why I can't take my hat and say I gave the game everything I wanted, and the game brought it right back to me."

Sanders will join the NFL Network as an analyst on September 21, 2022. On September 25, 2022, he will make his NFL GameDay Morning debut. Throughout the season, he will be on NFL GameDay Morning, as well as other NFL network broadcasting of the Super Bowl and NFL Media's podcast lineup.

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