Ricky Sanders

Infobox NFLretired


|caption=
position=Wide receiver
number=83, 80
birthdate=birth date and age|1962|9|30
Belton, Texas
debutyear=1986
finalyear=1995
college=Texas State
teams=
* Washington Redskins (1986-1993)
* Atlanta Falcons (1994, 1995)
* Miami Dolphins (1995)
stat1label=Receptions
stat1value=483
stat2label=Receiving Yards
stat2value=6,477
stat3label=Touchdowns
stat3value=37
nfl=SAN459446
highlights=
* 70 Greatest Redskins
HOF=
CollegeHOF=

Ricky Wayne Sanders (born September 30, 1962 in Temple, Texas) is a former American football wide receiver who played for eight seasons with the Washington Redskins and one for the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League from 1986 to 1994. He played wide receiver for Belton High School and broke 5 records.

Career

Sanders played college football at Texas State University and played one season in the United States Football League for the Houston Gamblers and teamed with Jim Kelly making 101 receptions for 1,370 yards and 11 touchdowns [ [http://www.thisistheusfl.com/team84hou.htm 1984 Houston Gamblers] retrieved March 5, 2006] and after the league folded, Sanders signed with the Redskins. The Redskins had two talented receivers in the sure handed Art Monk and tough Gary Clark but felt they needed a legitimate deep threat and Sanders fit the bill.

Sanders started slow with only 14 catches but proved he was a deep threat averaging 20.4 yards per catch. His next season was better when he snatched 34 passes from new starting quarterback Jay Shroeder. He had his best season in 1988 when he finished fifth in the NFL on receiving yards with 1148 yards and second in receiving touchdowns with 12, a Redskins record, despite the fact that the Redskins had to switch quarterbacks mid-season due to Shroeder going down with an injury. The backup quarterback Doug William loved Sanders' speed and ability to run after the catch and went to him often. This duo was effective and the Redskins fought their way through the playoffs and into the Super Bowl. In Super Bowl XXII, Sanders had one of the greatest performance in NFL history, catching nine passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns, while also returning three kickoffs for 46 yards. He set Super Bowl records for most receiving yards (193), most total yards (235), most touchdowns in one quarter (2), most receiving yards in one quarter (168), and longest touchdown reception (80 yards, tie) in Washington's 42-10 win over the Denver Broncos. [ [http://www.superbowl.com/history/records/indiv/receiving Super Bowl receiving records] retrieved March 5, 2006]

Next season was also a good one for Sanders as he made 80 grabs for 1,138 yards though once again being thrown to by two quarterbacks Doug Williams and Mark Rypien and his fellow receivers Art Monk and Gary Clark also catching for over 1000 yards. The trio of talented receivers known as the posse was thought to be unstoppable because no team had three top level cornerbacks to cover them. Sanders numbers fell off a little in 1990 when Rypien took over as full time starter as he went more to the reliable Art Monk and tenacious Gary Clark when more teams would play deep coverages to stop Sanders the fastest of the three, still he made 56 catches for 727 yards and was the main deep threat.

Sanders returned to the Super Bowl after 1991 season another good year taking 45 catches for 580 yards as part of a talented offensive group. The Posse torched the Detroit Lions and Alanta Falcons on their way to the Super Bowl against the Buffalo Bills where Sanders had a big catch in the game.Sanders won two Super Bowl rings with the Redskins, in Super Bowl XXII and Super Bowl XXVI.

In 1991 Sanders was accused of running over a parking attendant outside a nightclub. He went on trial, but was not convicted. Washington drafted top receiver Desmond Howard but he could not unseat Sanders. When Gibbs retired there were coaching and quarterback changes in Washington and Sanders became a free agent after the 1993 season and decided to move on. He signed with the Atlanta Falcons where he played one season with them, making 67 receptions for 599 yards and one touchdown. Sanders signed with the Miami Dolphins after the 1994 season [ [http://www.phins.com/news95/News_9507091348.html Ricky Sanders is a done deal] retrieved March 5, 2006 ] but never played a game with them.

Sanders finished his 10 NFL seasons with 483 receptions for 6,477 yards and 37 touchdowns. He also rushed for 94 yards and one touchdown, returned two punts for 12 yards, and gained 636 yards on 33 kickoff returns.

References

External links

* http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/SandRi00.htm
* http://www.thehogs.net/content/index.php?id=715