Sanford Wheeler

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]

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) 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

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
  1. "Vale Sanford Wheeler". sydneyswans.com.au. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  2. John, Andrew L. "Sanford Wheeler tackles life in PD". Desert Sun.
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