Mark Sander
American football player (born 1968)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mark Leonard Sander (born March 21, 1968) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker or the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL) in 1992.[3] He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals and holds the program record for career tackles. He played 12 games for the Dolphins, including two starts.
Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
| No. 58 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Linebacker |
| Personal information | |
| Born | March 21, 1968 Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Listed weight | 232 lb (105 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | DeSales (Louisville) |
| College | Louisville (1986–1990) |
| NFL draft | 1991: undrafted |
| Career history | |
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Awards and highlights | |
| |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
College career
Sander originally walked on to the Louisville Cardinals football team.[4] After redshirting in 1986,[5] Sander became a four-year starter for the Cardinals.[6] He was a 1988, 1989 First Team All-South Independent. On the morning of November 23, 1990, Sander was stabbed in the abdomen while attempting to break up a fight outside of a Louisville bar.[6][7] He had previously worked as a bouncer at the bar and noticed some friends involved in an altercation shortly after arriving.[5] Sander had to undergo four hours of surgery, which required 23 staples, and lost 10 pounds during his stay in the hospital.[7][8] In his first interview following the incident on December 3, he claimed that he would be ready to return in time for their Fiesta Bowl matchup against Alabama.[9] Sander started in the 34–7 win and passed Doug Buffone to become the school's career tackles leader with 492.[10]
Sander graduated with a degree in political science.[8]
Professional career
After going undrafted in the 1991 NFL draft due to his size and perceived lack of speed,[8] Sander was signed as a free agent by the Miami Dolphins.[11] He spent the 1991 season on the practice squad.[12] In 1992, Sander filled in for an injured John Offerdahl at the starting inside linebacker position.[12] In his first game of meaningful action, he recorded nine tackles against the New York Jets.[13] Two weeks later, in just his second start, Sander recorded a game-high nine tackles in a Monday Night Football loss to the Buffalo Bills, staying in the game after breaking his right hand in the second quarter.[13][14] It was later discovered that he suffered a broken wrist as well.[15] Sander was placed on the injured reserve list on December 2, 1992.[16] He was subsequently placed on the physically unable to perform list in August 1993.[15] He was then cut in November.[17]