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Ricky Wayne Sanders (born August 30, 1962) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for 12 seasons from 1983 to 1994, two with the United States Football League (USFL)'s Houston Gamblers and 10 in the National Football League (NFL) (eight seasons with the Washington Redskins and two with the Atlanta Falcons ).
- 6,477
- Texas State
- 483
- Wide receiver
Born: September 30. in Temple, TX. More bio, uniform, draft info. 2x SB Champ. 46 83 83. Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. SUMMARY. Career. G. 134. AV. 61. Rec. 483. Yds. 6477. Y/R. 13.4. TD. 37. FantPt. 885.4. Checkout the latest stats for Ricky Sanders.
- September 30, 1960
- Overview
- Career
- References
- External links
Ricky Wayne Sanders (born August 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 running back, safety, and place kicker (on kickoffs) as a three-year letterman for Belton High ...
Sanders was a three-sport star at Belton High School. He made all-region in basketball, placed in three events in the state track meet, and won accolades as a running back. Although recruited by numerous major colleges—including Michigan, UCLA, and Texas Tech, among many others—his junior year, he did not attend any of them. A string of injuries his senior football season may have been a contributing factor.
Sanders played college football at Southwest Texas State University and played two seasons 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. Sanders had been drafted by the New England Patriots in the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL and CFL Players. New England traded his rights to the Washington 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 Schroeder. He had his best season in 1987 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 Schroeder going down with an injury. The backup quarterback Doug Williams 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 performances 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. Shortly after the Super Bowl win, when the Redskins visited the White House, President Ronald Reagan completed a ceremonial pass to Sanders.
Next season was also a good one for Sanders as he made 80 grabs for 1,138 yards. His team had two quarterbacks (Doug Williams and Mark Rypien) and two other 1000 yard receivers (Art Monk and Gary Clark). Sanders numbers fell off slightly in 1990 when Rypien took over as full-time starter. Rypien went more to the reliable Art Monk and tenacious Gary Clark when more teams would play deep coverages to stop Sanders who was the fastest of the three; yet he still he managed 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 Atlanta 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.
1.Houston Gamblers retrieved March 5, 2006
2.Super Bowl receiving records retrieved March 5, 2006
8/30/1962. College. Texas State. Birthplace. Temple, TX. Career Stats. REC. 483. YDS. 6,477. TD. 37. AVG. 13.4. View the biography of Atlanta Falcons Wide Receiver Ricky Sanders on ESPN....
Read up on Ricky Sanders's biography, career, awards and more on ESPN. ... Biography. Position Wide ... Atlanta Falcons 1994-1996 (2 Seasons) Washington Redskins 1986 ...
Ricky Sanders played 10 seasons for the Redskins and Falcons. He had 483 catches for 6,477 yards and scored 38 touchdowns. He won 2 championships.
Recent Games. Ricky Sanders Career Highs. View the most current football statistics for Ricky Sanders, Wide Receiver, for the Washington Redskins and Atlanta Falcons at The Football Database.
