| Sanford Wheeler | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Sanford Matthew Wheeler | ||
| Born | (1970-04-06)6 April 1970 Lynwood, California, U.S. | ||
| Died | 10 March 2020(2020-03-10) (aged 49) California, U.S. | ||
| Original team | Parramatta (Sydney AFL) | ||
| Debut | Round 6, 6 May 1989,Sydney Swans vs. St Kilda, atMoorabbin 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 anAustralian rules football player for theSydney Swans. He is notable for being the firstAfrican American-born player in the history of the AFL and one of few players from theUnited States to play in theAustralian Football League.[1]
Wheeler was born inLynwood, California, to an Australian father and anAfrican-American mother.[1] He migrated with his family toSydney,New South Wales, at the age of 5.[2] Wheeler briefly moved toMelbourne during hisprimary school years but later returned to Sydney.[2]
AFitzroy supporter, Wheeler took an interest in playing multiple sports as a junior, fromathletics tosoccer andrugby league.[2] By the age of 13, Wheeler had migrated to playing Australian football for local clubSeven Hills after spotting an advertisement at a shopping centre.[2] After five seasons at the club, he transferred toParramatta, from which he was recruited.[2]
Wheeler was recruited to the Sydney Swans viazone allocation in 1988 at the age of 18.[2] However, he grew tired of coachTom Hafey's training regimes and left the club mid-season.[2] Wheeler was welcomed back to Sydney the following year under new coachCol Kinnear, and subsequently made hisVictorian Football League debut in a much-depleted Swans team in round 6, 1989, againstSt Kilda.[3] However, his first game was not notable, and he was dropped for the next couple of months. Showing some form in thereserves, Wheeler reappeared in round 20 againstMelbourne with a more satisfactory performance, kicking a goal. He began to establish himself in the senior side and made 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 hisbraided ponytail, exhibiting dash and flair off thewing, and also served as a rugged, rebounding defender off thehalf-back flank.[2] His quick run and hard tackling were trademarks of his game. However, Wheeler's disposal skills let him down, and he had a tendency to get caughtholding the ball. He also played the majority of his career during the Swans' darkest era, during which they "won" three successivewooden 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 theNew South Wales state team in theirstate of origin match againstQueensland.[4] Wheeler was again selected for the state team the following year, this time in a combined team with theAustralian Capital Territory for their match againstVictoria at the1993 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] Many considered Wheeler to be the Swan's most improved player that season.[2]
After a serious knee injury and the tendency to be used sparingly by coachRon Barassi, Wheeler was delisted following the 1994 season as part of a shake-up of the Swans' list.[6]
Following his football career, Wheeler returned to the United States and became awealth management advisor atMerrill Lynch Bank of America inIndian Wells.[1]
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 the1993 season, Wheeler reverted to going by Sanford in everyday life.[2][5]
Wheeler died inCalifornia on 10 March 2020 at the age of 49.[7]
