Danny Sanders
No. 16, 13[1] | |
Date of birth | May 14, 1955 |
---|---|
Place of birth | Oak Ridge, Tennessee, U.S. |
Career information | |
CFL status | International |
Position(s) | Quarterback |
Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
Weight | 203 lb (92 kg) |
US college | Carson–Newman |
High school | Oak Ridge (Tennessee) |
NFL draft | 1979 / round: 11 / pick: 288 |
Drafted by | New York Jets |
Career history | |
As player | |
1979 | New York Jets* |
1979 | Hamilton Tiger-Cats |
1979–1980 | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
1981 | New York Jets* |
*Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
Career stats | |
|
Danny Kay Sanders (born May 14, 1955) is an American former professional football quarterback who played two seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Saskatchewan Roughriders. He was selected by the New York Jets in the eleventh round of the 1979 NFL draft after playing college football at Carson–Newman University.
Early life
[edit]Danny Kay Sanders was born on May 14, 1955, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.[1] He attended Oak Ridge High School in Oak Ridge.[1]
College career
[edit]Sanders played college football for the Carson–Newman Eagles of Carson-Newman College.[1] He was a two-time All-South Atlantic Conference selection and set a school record with 5,360 career passing yards.[2] He also set single-game school records in passing attempts, completions, and passing yards.[2] Sanders was inducted into the Carson-Newman Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009.[3] He was also inducted into the South Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame in 2008.[3]
Professional career
[edit]Sanders was selected by the New York Jets in the 11th round, with the 288th overall pick, of the 1979 NFL draft.[1] He was released by the Jets on August 21, 1979.[4]
On August 29, 1979, Sanders started a five-day trial with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL).[5] He played in one game for the Tiger-Cats but did not record any statistics.[1]
On September 12, 1979, the Saskatchewan Roughriders gave Sanders a five-day trial after claiming him off waivers from Hamilton.[6] After the Roughriders started the 1979 season with an 0–11 record, Sanders took over as the team's starting quarterback.[7] He led the Roughriders to a 2–3 record in the final five games of the season, completing 65 of 133 passes (48.9%) for 1,024 yards, four touchdowns, and seven interceptions while also rushing five times for six yards.[8][1] Sanders appeared to have secured a spot as the team's starter in 1980, appearing on television, at a hockey game, and at pep rallies.[7] However, the Roughriders later signed veteran John Hufnagel.[7] Sanders took over as starter again after Hufnagel was injured in the first game of the season.[7] Sanders totaled 21 completions on 57 passing attempts (36.8%) for 290 yards, two touchdowns, and seven interceptions that year before being benched for Tom Rozantz and then released by the Roughriders.[1][7]
Sanders was re-signed by the Jets on February 11, 1981.[4] He was later released on August 17, 1981.[9]
He had a tryout with the CFL's Calgary Stampeders in May 1982 but was not signed.[10][11]
Personal life
[edit]Sanders was a high school teacher and football coach after his playing career, including stints at Carter High School and TMI Academy.[7] He was also an assistant coach for one season at his alma mater, Carson-Newman College.[7] He later opened his own business as a contractor and builder.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h "Danny Sanders". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Sanders, Hoffmeyer are elected to SAC hall". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. March 20, 2008. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
- ^ a b "Carson-Newman Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009". cneagles.com. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
- ^ a b "Danny Sanders NFL Transactions". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
- ^ "Ticats bring in pivot; Lions seek extra point". The Ottawa Journal. August 30, 1979. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
- ^ "'Riders playing old game of revolving quarterback". The Vancouver Sun. September 13, 1979. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g Tiefenbach, Arnie (May 23, 1985). "[Untitled]". The Leader-Post. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
- ^ "1979 Saskatchewan Roughriders (CFL)". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
- ^ "Search Results". prosportstransactions.com. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
- ^ Maki, Allan (May 26, 1982). "Bills in the nick of time". Calgary Herald. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
- ^ "Dattilio inks Stamps' pact". Calgary Herald. May 15, 1982. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Living people
- 1955 births
- Players of American football from Tennessee
- American football quarterbacks
- Canadian football quarterbacks
- Players of Canadian football from Tennessee
- Carson–Newman Eagles football players
- Hamilton Tiger-Cats players
- Saskatchewan Roughriders players
- People from Oak Ridge, Tennessee
- Sportspeople from the Knoxville metropolitan area
- New York Jets players
- Carson–Newman Eagles football coaches
- High school football coaches in Tennessee
- Coaches of American football from Tennessee