BIOGRAPHY
Emmanuel Sanders was born March 17, 1987, in Bellville, Texas. He is a wide receiver in the NFL.
Sanders attended Bellville High School in Bellville, Texas, where he was a four-sport star in football, basketball, baseball, and track. In football, in which he was most notable, Sanders was a first-team All-District performer at running back, wide receiver, and safety. As a senior, he rushed for 499 yards with six touchdowns, hauled in 24 catches for 414 yards and a score while also throwing for a touchdown. On defense, he recorded 49 tackles and three interceptions. He was named Team MVP and Tri-County Offensive Player of the Year following his senior season. In all, he earned seven All-District honors during his high school career. Regarded only as a two-star recruit by both Rivals.com and Scout.com, Sanders chose SMU over scholarship offers from TCU, Kansas, Baylor, and Houston.
After graduating from high school, Sanders was a three-year starter at Southern Methodist University. He was awarded All-Conference honors his final two seasons. As a freshman, Sanders had 46 receptions for 605 yards and nine touchdowns. As a sophomore, he had 74 receptions for 889 yards and nine touchdowns. As a junior, he had 67 receptions for 958 yards and nine touchdowns. As a senior, he had 98 receptions for 1,339 and seven touchdowns. In addition, he averaged 13.8 yards on 20 punt returns with an additional score.
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Sanders in the third round (82nd overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft. He was the seventh wide receiver selected and was the first of two wide receivers the Steelers selected in 2010, along with Antonio Brown.
On March 15, 2014, the Denver Broncos signed Sanders to a three-year, $15 million contract that includes $6 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $3 million.
On October 22, 2019, Sanders was traded to the San Francisco 49ers along with a 2020 fifth-round pick in exchange for 2020 third- and fourth-round picks.
On April 6, 2020, Sanders signed a two-year, $16 million contract with earnings up to $19 million with the New Orleans Saints. On March 16, 2021, Sanders was released by the Saints.
On March 17, 2021, Sanders signed with the Buffalo Bills.
On Sep 7, 2022, Emmanuel Sanders announced his retirement from the NFL.
