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Ricky Sanders
Ricky Sanders
Ricky Sanders
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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). He played running back, safety, and place kicker (on kickoffs) as a three-year letterman for Belton High School in Belton, Texas and broke five records.

Key Information

Football career

[edit]

Sanders was a three-sport star at Belton High School in Belton, Texas.[1] 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 Texas State University as a running back, helping the team win the Division II national championship in 1981 and 1982. He graduated in 1983 with 2,461 rushing yards and 3,126 all-purpose yards. In 2018, he was selected for the school's athletic hall of fame.[2]

He 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.[3] Sanders had been drafted by the New England Patriots in the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL and CFL Players.[4] 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, leading them to acquire the speedy Sanders. The three were the first trio of wide receivers to each surpass 1,000 receiving yards in a single season, and became known as "The Posse."[5]

Sanders made only 14 catches in 1986, his first NFL season, but proved he was a deep threat averaging 20.4 yards per catch. His next season was better, as he snatched 34 passes from new starting quarterback Jay Schroeder. After Schroeder's eventual ouster at quarterback, his replacement, Doug Williams, loved Sanders's 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.

Sanders was a standout performer in Super Bowl XXII, 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. As of 2024, he is the only player in Super Bowl history to have scored two receiving touchdowns of 40 yards or more in the same game.[6] Shortly after the Super Bowl win, when the Redskins visited the White House, President Ronald Reagan completed a ceremonial pass to Sanders.

Sanders had arguably his best season in 1988, as he finished fifth in the NFL on receiving yards with 1,148 and second in receiving touchdowns with 12, a Redskins record. The following season was also a good one for Sanders as he made 80 grabs for 1,138 yards, making him one of three 1,000-yard receivers on the team along with Monk and Clark. Sanders' numbers fell off slightly in 1990, to 56 catches for 727 yards.

In the 1991 season, Sanders made 45 catches for 580 yards. The Redskins defeated the Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions before beating the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVI. This was Sanders' second Super Bowl victory, his first having come four years prior, in Super Bowl XXII.

In June 1990, Sanders was accused of hitting a parking attendant with his car outside a Houston nightclub. He was ultimately acquitted in February 1991, but admitted that the whole ordeal weighed heavily on his mind throughout the 1990 season.[7] Washington drafted top Heisman trophy winning 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. He signed with the Atlanta Falcons prior to the 1994 season, and played two seasons with them: 1994 and 1995. Sanders signed with the Miami Dolphins after the 1995 season[8] 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.

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Legend
Super Bowl champion
Led the league
Bold Career high

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team Games Receiving
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
1986 WAS 10 3 14 286 20.4 71 2
1987 WAS 12 5 37 630 17.0 57 3
1988 WAS 16 4 73 1,148 15.7 55 12
1989 WAS 16 12 80 1,138 14.2 68 4
1990 WAS 16 6 56 727 13.0 38 3
1991 WAS 16 7 45 580 12.9 45 5
1992 WAS 15 5 51 707 13.9 62 3
1993 WAS 16 11 58 638 11.0 50 4
1994 ATL 14 12 67 599 8.9 28 1
1995 ATL 3 1 2 24 12.0 21 0
Career 134 66 483 6,477 13.4 71 37

References

[edit]
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Ricky Sanders

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from Grokipedia
Ricky Sanders (born August 30, 1962) is an American former professional who was a in the () for ten seasons, primarily known for his role in the Washington Redskins' dynamic passing attack during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Born in , Sanders excelled as a at (now ), where he rushed for 2,461 yards over four seasons from 1980 to 1983, earned All-Lone Star Conference honors as a senior, and was named the MVP of the 1982 National Championship game. After college, he played two seasons in the United States Football League (USFL) for the , accumulating 1,378 receiving yards in 1984 alone. Selected by the in the first round of the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL players, Sanders was traded to the Washington Redskins before the 1986 season, where he transitioned to and joined and Gary Clark to form the feared trio known as "The Posse." Sanders' NFL career peaked with the Redskins from 1986 to 1993, during which he helped the team secure two Super Bowl victories: Super Bowl XXII in 1988 and Super Bowl XXVI in 1992. In Super Bowl XXII, he set records with 193 receiving yards on nine catches, including two touchdowns, marking the most receiving yards in a single Super Bowl at the time and tying the longest touchdown reception of 80 yards. His 1988 regular season was a standout, leading the NFL with 12 receiving touchdowns while totaling 1,148 yards and earning a Pro Bowl selection. Sanders finished his career with the Atlanta Falcons in 1994 and 1995, retiring after recording career totals of 483 receptions, 6,477 receiving yards, and 37 touchdowns over 134 games. In 2018, he was inducted into the Texas State University Hall of Honor for his contributions to college and professional football.

Early life and education

Early life and family

Ricky Sanders was born on August 30, 1962, in . Sanders grew up in .

High school career

Ricky Sanders attended Belton High School in . During his high school years, Sanders distinguished himself as a multi-sport athlete, participating in football, and track. In football, he lettered for three years and demonstrated versatility by playing , , and on kickoffs. His contributions helped establish him as a standout performer, though specific statistics such as yards or touchdowns from his high school games are not widely documented. On the track team, he qualified for the state meet in , hurdles, and , highlighting his speed and agility. Sanders' high school achievements drew attention from college recruiters, culminating in a scholarship offer from Southwest Texas State University (now ), where he decided to continue his football career.

College career

Ricky Sanders attended Southwest Texas State University (now ) from 1980 to 1983, playing as a for the Bobcats. Sanders played a significant role in the team's offensive schemes during a highly successful period, contributing to back-to-back national championships in 1981 and 1982. The 1981 squad achieved a 13-1 record, while the 1982 team went undefeated at 14-0. As a versatile back, he supported the Bobcats' potent rushing attack that powered these title runs. Over his four-year career, Sanders accumulated 2,461 rushing yards, ranking in the top 10 in school history, and 3,126 all-purpose yards, also top 10. He added 665 receiving yards, placing him in the top 10 for career receiving at Texas State. Sanders showed steady progression, serving as a rotational player as a freshman in 1980 before emerging as the team's leading rusher and scorer in 1982 and 1983. In his senior season, he rushed for 706 yards and nine touchdowns while recording 25 receptions for 408 yards and four scores. His honors included National Championship MVP in 1982, All-Lone Star Conference Second Team that year, and as a senior, All-LSC First Team, Offensive Player of the Year, and team captain. Following the 1983 season, Sanders declared eligibility for the 1984 USFL territorial draft and was selected by the , concluding his collegiate career.

Professional career

United States Football League

Ricky Sanders was selected by the in the 1984 USFL territorial draft as their first pick and signed to a contract on January 26, 1984. Playing as a and , Sanders quickly adapted to the professional level's increased speed alongside quarterback , contributing significantly to the Gamblers' high-powered offense. In his season of 1984, Sanders recorded 101 receptions for 1,378 yards and 11 touchdowns, setting a pro football milestone for receptions in a debut year and ranking second all-time in receiving yards for a at that time. He also added 10 rushes for 58 yards, along with punt and kick return duties, showcasing his versatility. Key highlights included a career-best eight receptions for 227 yards against the Pittsburgh Maulers and two touchdown catches in a game at the . The following year, in 1985, Sanders appeared in 10 games, tallying 48 receptions for 538 yards and seven touchdowns, helping the Gamblers finish 10-8 despite the league's growing instability. Over his two USFL seasons, he amassed 149 receptions for 1,916 yards and 18 receiving touchdowns. The USFL's ambitious challenge to the NFL culminated in an antitrust filed in 1984, with a finding the NFL guilty of one violation in July 1986 but awarding only $3 in damages (later trebled to $9). On August 4, 1986, the league voted to suspend operations indefinitely, effectively folding and releasing players like Sanders to pursue opportunities elsewhere. This instability marked the end of Sanders' USFL tenure, paving the way for his move to the NFL via the supplemental draft process.

Washington Redskins

Ricky Sanders joined the Washington Redskins in August 1986 via a trade from the , who had selected him in the first round (16th overall) of the 1984 NFL supplemental draft of USFL players, in exchange for an undisclosed 1987 draft choice. He debuted with the Redskins that season and remained with the team for eight years through 1993, appearing in 117 games while primarily serving as a slot receiver in an offense coordinated by . Sanders integrated into the team's elite receiving unit, often referred to as an extension of "The Posse," alongside and Gary Clark, providing speed and reliability on intermediate routes and special teams early in his tenure. Sanders' performance peaked in the late 1980s, highlighted by his 1988 season when he recorded 73 receptions for 1,148 yards and a league-leading 12 receiving touchdowns. The following year, in , he amassed 80 catches for 1,138 yards and 4 touchdowns, forming the second trio of wide receivers in history—along with (1,186 yards) and (1,229 yards)—to each exceed 1,000 receiving yards in a single season. These accomplishments underscored ' potent passing attack, which propelled the team to multiple playoff appearances. In the postseason, Sanders played a pivotal role in the Redskins' championship runs, winning Super Bowl XXII after the 1987 season and Super Bowl XXVI after the 1991 campaign. His most memorable game came in Super Bowl XXII against the Denver Broncos, where he caught 9 passes for 193 yards and 2 touchdowns—including an 80-yard score—establishing records for most receiving yards in a quarter (168 in the second). In 1991, Sanders recorded 45 receptions for 580 yards and 5 touchdowns in 16 games, contributing 1 catch for 41 yards in Super Bowl XXVI. Over his Redskins career, he also added versatility with 23 rushes for 94 yards and 1 touchdown, often used in gadget plays.

Atlanta Falcons

After becoming a free agent following the 1993 season with the Washington Redskins, Ricky Sanders signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons on July 15, 1994, for the veteran minimum salary of $162,500 plus incentives. Joining a Falcons team in a transitional phase under head coach June Jones, Sanders served as a veteran wide receiver in an offense featuring quarterback Jeff George and star receivers Andre Rison and Terance Mathis. The Falcons ranked fifth in the NFL in passing yards that year, with Sanders contributing depth and experience to the aerial attack during a season that began promisingly at 4-2 but ended with a 7-9 record after a late slump. In , Sanders appeared in 14 games, starting 12, and recorded 67 receptions for 599 yards and one touchdown. His lone score came in Week 5, a 31-13 victory over the , where he hauled in six catches for 58 yards. Another notable outing was Week 13 against the , in which he caught seven passes for 87 yards amid the team's rebuilding efforts to contend in the . Sanders returned for the 1995 season but saw limited action, playing in just three games with one start and two receptions for 24 yards. He retired at the end of that year at age 33, capping a 10-season career that began in 1986.

Professional statistics

USFL statistics

Ricky Sanders began his professional career in the with the , where he primarily played as a alongside . Over two seasons, he established himself as a key offensive contributor, amassing significant receiving production despite the league's short lifespan. His USFL tenure showcased his versatility, including occasional rushing and return duties, before transitioning to the . The following table summarizes Sanders' receiving statistics year by year with the Gamblers:
YearTeamGamesReceptionsYardsAverageLongest ReceptionTouchdowns
1984181011,37813.67711
1985104853811.2437
In 1984, Sanders also contributed on special teams with 2 punt returns for 28 yards (14.0 average) and 19 kickoff returns for 148 yards (7.8 average), along with 10 rushes for 58 yards. No return statistics are recorded for 1985. Career USFL totals for Sanders include 149 receptions for 1,916 yards and 18 receiving touchdowns across 28 games. His season performance ranked him second in the league with 101 receptions, earning him second-team All-USFL honors as a . In 1985, limited by a injury to half the season, he still added 7 receiving touchdowns, tying for fifth in .

NFL regular season statistics

Ricky Sanders appeared in 134 regular-season games over 10 seasons from 1986 to 1995, split between the Washington Redskins (1986–1993) and (1994–1995). As a , he established himself as a reliable target in the Redskins' offense before transitioning to a diminished role with . The following table summarizes his regular-season receiving and rushing statistics, including yards per reception (Y/R) and yards per rushing attempt (Y/A).
YearTeamGRecRec YdsRec TDY/RRush AttRush YdsRush TDY/A
1986WAS1014286220.4000—
1987WAS1237630317.01-40-4.0
1988WAS16731,1481215.721407.0
1989WAS16801,138414.241904.8
1990WAS1656727313.041704.3
1991WAS1645580512.974716.7
1992WAS1551707313.94-60-1.5
1993WAS1658638411.01707.0
1994ATL146759918.9000—
1995ATL3224012.0000—
Over his career, Sanders recorded 483 receptions for 6,477 yards and 37 receiving touchdowns, averaging 13.4 yards per catch. He also contributed modestly on the ground with 23 rushing attempts for 94 yards and 1 rushing touchdown, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. Sanders' production peaked during his years, where he surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in both 1988 (1,148 yards, a career high) and 1989 (1,138 yards on 80 receptions), helping anchor the team's passing attack. His output remained consistent through 1993, with at least 580 receiving yards each season, before declining with the amid limited playing time in 1994–1995.

NFL postseason statistics

Ricky Sanders participated in 12 postseason games exclusively with the Washington Redskins from the 1986 through 1992 seasons, playing a key role in the team's multiple playoff appearances and two triumphs. His postseason contributions underscored his value as a deep-threat receiver, particularly during the high-stakes and campaigns that culminated in championships. Overall, Sanders recorded 31 receptions for 517 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns in these contests, with his most memorable performances coming in the s. The following table summarizes Sanders' NFL postseason receiving statistics by season:
SeasonGames PlayedReceptionsReceiving YardsTouchdowns
198622150
19873152852
1990261000
199134790
199224380
Career Totals12315172
In the 1987 postseason, Sanders was instrumental in the ' run to , where he exploded for 9 receptions, 193 yards, and 2 touchdowns against the in a 42-10 , setting a then-Redskins playoff single-game record for receiving yards and helping secure the franchise's second title in five years. During the 1991 postseason, he supported the team's dominant 14-2 by appearing in all three playoff games en route to , though his production was limited to 4 catches for 79 yards, including a 41-yard reception in the 37-24 victory over the . Sanders did not appear in any postseason games during his brief stints with the in 1994 and 1995, as those teams did not qualify for the playoffs.

Legacy and honors

Awards and records

Ricky Sanders set the record for most receiving yards in a single game at the time with 193 yards on nine receptions during against the on January 31, 1988. He also established records in that game for most total all-purpose yards (239, including 46 kickoff return yards), most receiving yards in one quarter (168 in the second quarter), and most touchdowns in one quarter (two), along with tying the record for longest reception (80 yards). These marks contributed to his standout performance, which included two touchdowns and helped the Washington Redskins secure a 42–10 victory. In 1989, Sanders was part of the Washington Redskins' receiving trio—alongside and —that became the second in history to each surpass 1,000 receiving yards in a single season, with Sanders recording 1,079 yards. This group, known as "The Posse," highlighted the team's potent passing attack under quarterback . Sanders won two Super Bowl championships with the Washington Redskins, first as a key contributor in (1987 season) and again in following the 1991 season, where he added 42 receiving yards in the 37–24 win over the . During his tenure with the , Sanders earned second-team All-USFL honors as a in 1984, after leading the league with 101 receptions for 1,378 yards as a . With , Sanders ranks seventh in franchise history for receiving yards as of 2025, accumulating 5,854 yards over eight seasons from 1986 to 1993.

Post-retirement activities and inductions

After retiring from the following the 1995 season, Ricky Sanders maintained a low-profile life outside of , Texas, where he has resided since leaving professional football. In 2018, Sanders was inducted into the Hall of Honor, recognizing his contributions as a four-year letterwinner and standout for the Bobcats from 1980 to 1983, during which he earned All-Lone Star Conference First Team honors as a senior and served as team captain. No further public inductions into other halls of fame have been documented, though Sanders has occasionally participated in events reflecting on his career, such as discussions about the challenges of transitioning to post-NFL life. As of November 2025, Sanders, now 63 years old, continues to live privately in the area, with no recent public mentions of additional involvement, roles, or ventures.

References

  1. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/6486/ricky-sanders
  2. https://txst.com/honors/hall-of-honor/ricky-sanders/205
  3. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/08/12/The-New-England-Patriots-well-stocked-at-wide-receivers/9461524203200/
  4. https://americanfootballdatabase.fandom.com/wiki/Ricky_Sanders
  5. https://www.hogshaven.com/2017/8/14/16141246/redskins-by-the-jersey-numbers-83-ricky-sanders-nfl
  6. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SandRi00.htm
  7. http://www.houston-gamblers.com/id73.html
  8. http://prosportstransactions.com/football/DraftTrades/Years/1984-usfl-territorial.htm
  9. http://curtiswalker.com/USFL/playerdetails.php?id=432
  10. https://www.nytimes.com/1986/07/30/sports/usfl-loses-in-antitrust-case-jury-assigns-just-1-in-damages.html
  11. https://www.usflsite.com/trial.php
  12. https://www.profootballarchives.com/1984usflhou.html
  13. https://www.commanders.com/news/ricky-sanders-3447336
  14. https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2005/01/news-1-000plus-yards-receiving-cards-trio-in-08-joins-elite-group/
  15. https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/01/sports/football-on-pro-football-redskins-sanders-back-in-step.html
  16. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SandRi00/gamelog/post/
  17. https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/16/sports/sports-people-pro-football-falcons-sign-sanders.html
  18. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/atl/1994.htm
  19. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SandRi00/gamelog/1994/
  20. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SandRi00/gamelog/1995/
  21. https://www.usflsite.com/players/Ricky_Sanders/p-sanderic001
  22. https://www.statscrew.com/football/stats/p-sanderic001
  23. https://www.statscrew.com/football/leaders/l-USFL/y-1985
  24. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198801310den.htm
  25. https://txst.com/honors/hall-of-honor/ricky-sanders/205/kiosk
  26. https://theanalyst.com/articles/the-most-receiving-yards-in-a-super-bowl-the-most-receptions-in-a-super-bowl
  27. https://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/284584/lions-make-case-for-nfls-best-receiver-trio
  28. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/career-receiving.htm
  29. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jul/15/ricky-sanders-redskins-super-bowl-ring-of-fame/
  30. https://txst.com/news/2018/10/31/-t-association-texas-state-announces-2018-hall-of-honor-class
  31. https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/page/lost-heroes/lost-heroes-super-bowl
  32. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/bio/_/id/6486/ricky-sanders
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