6 Things We Learned About Emmanuel Sanders This Week
DENVER (CBS4) – It was a big weekend for Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, the NFL’s new touchdown passes king, but another Bronco also had a big day for the orange & blue: Emmanuel Sanders.
Here’s what we learned about Sanders this week:
1. He can actually make touchdown catches
Well, we really already knew that from his days with the Steelers, but it was starting to look odd the way Sanders kept racking up the receiving yards in his first five games as a Bronco but never scored a touchdown. He finally found the endzone in the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
2. He didn’t intentionally use the ref to block out his defender on his touchdown reception.
“It looked like the referee had ice skates on,” Sanders told CBS4’s Vic Lombardi on Xfinity Monday Live, when asked about the play. “He was trying to get out the way but he couldn’t. So whoever that referee is I want to thank you for that — for getting me open.”
3. He and his fellow receivers planned the game of keepaway with Peyton Manning’s record football.
“It wasn’t even about trying to surprise anyone. Really it was just about trying having fun. Really, that’s what it’s about, just trying to lighten the mood. I think Peyton’s one of those guys that when the talk is all about Peyton, Peyton, Peyton … he wants to bring it back to the team.”
Sanders, left, and Wes Welker, right, play keepaway from Peyton Manning (Also in on the game but not pictured were Demaryius Thomas, who caught Manning’s record touchdown ball, and Julius Thomas). (credit: Evan Semón/CBS4)
4. The keepaway game may not have happened if the 49ers were ahead.
What if the Broncos were losing at the time that Manning broke the record? Would that silly, pre-planned keepaway game still have happened?
“We didn’t think about that,” Sanders said. “See, that’s a negative mindset, and we try to avoid that.”
5. He rode a mechanical bull over the summer.
Sanders says his ride lasted about 13 seconds.
(credit: CBS)
6. He was raised by twin uncles.
Sanders also talked on Xfinity Monday Live about growing up northwest of Dallas in the small town of Belleview, Texas. He said his uncles, who were twins, injected him with an inner strength. “They raised me up to be tough, I mean, they were like my older brothers. If I said anything smart, I’d get punched in the chest.”
Watch more video with Sanders in the Xfinity Monday Live section.
