Super Bowl 50 Champion Emmanuel Sanders Retires At Age 35 As A Member Of The Denver Broncos

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Sep 8, 2022

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Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders has officially announced his retirement from the National Football League on Twitter. Sanders spent 12 seasons in the league, with the majority of them being spent as a member of the Denver Broncos. Sanders played his final 13 games as a member of the Buffalo Bills, where he reeled in 42 receptions for 626 yards (14.9 avg).

Thank you to every one who supported me throughout my career. It was one of hell of a ride. I gave the game all I had and it treated me well! God is the Greatest! pic.twitter.com/Z5Y4INQLww
— Emmanuel Sanders (@ESanders_10) September 7, 2022

Since entering the league as a 2010 third-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sanders has enjoyed a very successful career despite bouncing around to multiple football clubs. Sanders put together 704 receptions, 9,245 yards and 51 touchdowns to go with his accolades. Sanders is a Two-Time Pro Bowler, a Super Bowl 50 Champion, and has made three total Super Bowl appearances with his third coming as a member of the San Francisco 49ers in 2019. Sanders’ decision to retire factored in not only his long-term health but also his late friend Demaryius Thomas, whose sudden death shook the NFL world.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Legwold, Sanders has reportedly confirmed that he has agreed to a deal to become a television analyst. The 35-year-old spoke about how proud he was that he got to chase his dream, and that he didn’t have anything left to prove.

“I’m proud to stand up here and tell you … that I chased down this dream and it was a hell of a ride. Game of football is tough on the body, and I lost a close friend [in Thomas]… I had a heck of a career. I’ve been to three Super Bowls. For me, what else do I have to prove?”

Sanders will reportedly retire as a member of the Denver Broncos, who called the franchise “wide receiver heaven” when speaking about Hall of Famer Peyton Manning and how excited he was that he had the opportunity to go play with the quarterback. Sanders reportedly was offered a deal by the Kansas City Chiefs at that time.

“I wanted to sign three years [in Kansas City], and they wanted me to sign four. I get the call, in the facility, that I can go to Denver … and I remember telling [the Chiefs] I kind of want to go back to my hotel and figure out the situation. … I was just trying to get out there so I could celebrate that I’m about to go play with Peyton.”

ESPN has more HERE.