Sanford Wheeler
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2020) |
| Sanford Wheeler | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Sanford Matthew Wheeler | ||
| Date of birth | 6 April 1970 | ||
| Place of birth | Lynwood, California, U.S. | ||
| Date of death | 10 March 2020 (aged 49) | ||
| Place of death | California, U.S. | ||
| Original team(s) | Parramatta (Sydney AFL) | ||
| Debut |
Round 6, 6 May 1989, Sydney Swans vs. St Kilda, at Moorrabin | ||
| 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 Wheeler (previously known as Matthew Wheeler) (6 April 1970 – 10 March 2020[1]) 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.[2]
Matthew Wheeler migrated with his Australian father and African-American mother to Sydney, New South Wales at the age of 5. As a teenager, he began to take an interest in Australian football and played his junior football for the Parramatta Australian football club.
Recruited by the Sydney Swans as a rookie using their zone allocation, the athletic long-haired Wheeler frequently exhibited some dash and flair off the wing and as a rugged rebounding defender off the half back flank. His quick run and hard tackling were trademarks of his game. However his disposal skills let him down and he had a tendency to get caught holding the ball.
Midway through his career, Wheeler changed his first name by deed poll to "Sanford".
Up to 1993, Wheeler had played 36 games and kicked 6 goals during the Swans' darkest era. After a serious knee injury and being used sparingly by coach Ron Barassi, he was delisted after the 1994 season as part of a shake up of the Swans list.
Wheeler then returned to the United States and became a wealth management advisor for Merrill Lynch Bank of America in Indian Wells.[2]
References[]
- ^ "Vale Sanford Wheeler". sydneyswans.com.au. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
- ^ a b John, Andrew L. "Sanford Wheeler tackles life in PD". Desert Sun.
External links[]
- Sanford Wheeler's playing statistics from AFL Tables
- Sanford Wheeler at AustralianFootball.com
 | This Australian rules football biography of a person born in the 1970s is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by . |
- 1970 births
- 2020 deaths
- American players of Australian rules football
- VFL/AFL players born outside Australia
- Sydney Swans players
- Australian rules footballers from New South Wales
- East Coast Eagles players
- American emigrants to Australia
- New South Wales Australian rules football State of Origin players
- Australian people of African-American descent
- Australian rules biography, 1970s birth stubs