Sanford Wheeler

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Sanford Wheeler
Personal information
Full name Sanford Matthew Wheeler
Date of birth (1970-04-06)6 April 1970
Place of birth Lynwood, California, U.S.
Date of death 10 March 2020(2020-03-10) (aged 49)
Place of death California, U.S.
Original team(s)
Sydney AFL
)
Debut Round 6, 6 May 1989, Sydney Swans vs. St Kilda, at Moorabbin Oval
Height 186 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight 90 kg (198 lb)
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1989–1994 Sydney Swans 43 (7)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1994.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Sanford Matthew Wheeler (6 April 1970 – 10 March 2020) was an Australian rules football player for the Sydney Swans. He is notable as being the first African American-born player in the history of the AFL and one of few players from the United States to play in the Australian Football League.[1]

Early life

Wheeler was born in

African-American mother.[1] He migrated with his family to Sydney, New South Wales, at the age of 5.[2] Wheeler briefly moved to Melbourne during his primary school years before returning to Sydney.[2]

A

Parramatta, from which he was recruited.[2]

Playing career

Wheeler was recruited to the Sydney Swans via

Victorian Football League debut in a much-depleted Swans team in round 6, 1989, against St Kilda.[3] However, his first game was not notable, and he was dropped for the next couple of months. Showing some form in the reserves, Wheeler reappeared in round 20 against Melbourne
with a more satisfactory performance, kicking a goal. He began to establish himself in the senior side and would make 11 appearances the following season in the newly renamed Australian Football League.

During his playing career, Wheeler was distinct for his bulky yet athletic frame and his

wooden spoons
from 1992 to 1994 during a time of financial turmoil for the club.

Wheeler's career highlight came in 1992, where he was selected in the

state of origin match against Queensland.[4] Wheeler was again selected for the state team the following year, this time in a combined team with the Australian Capital Territory for their match against Victoria at the 1993 State of Origin Championships.[5] At the time, Wheeler was the subject of an impromptu fan club, who took mock credit for his selection.[5] Wheeler was considered by many to be the Swans' most improved player that season.[2]

After a serious knee injury and the tendency to be used sparingly by coach Ron Barassi, Wheeler was delisted following the 1994 season as part of a shake-up of the Swans' list.[6]

After football

Following his football career, Wheeler returned to the United States and became a wealth management advisor for Merrill Lynch Bank of America in Indian Wells.[1]

Personal life

During school and in his early football days, Wheeler went by his middle name—Matthew—to avoid being bullied for his uncommon given name; he continued to use Sanford around family and friends. Ahead of the 1993 season, Wheeler reverted to going by Sanford in everyday life.[2][5]

Death

Wheeler died in California on 10 March 2020, aged 49.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c John, Andrew L. "Sanford Wheeler tackles life in PD". Desert Sun.
  2. ^
    Newspapers.com
    .
  3. Sydney Morning Herald
    . 5 May 1989. p. 46.
  4. ^ Carter, Ron (11 May 1992). "Brereton hits 'grey areas' of rules". The Age. p. 23.
  5. ^ a b c Cockington, James (10 July 1993). "Blessing in disguise". The Age. p. 165.
  6. ^ "Trading places: who goes where". The Age. 22 October 1994. p. 40.
  7. ^ "Vale Sanford Wheeler". sydneyswans.com.au. Retrieved 21 March 2020.

External links

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