Former Steelers Wideout Detailed How He Truly Felt When Pittsburgh Didn't Want Him Anymore

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had numerous big-name wide receivers throughout the history of the franchise. From Lynn Swann and John Stallworth winning four Super Bowls in the 1970s, to Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes claiming Super Bowl MVPs in the 2000s, and even to present day with DK Metcalf looking to guide the Steelers to an AFC North title. One Steelers wide receiver from the early 2010s often gets overlooked, mainly due to the fact that he only spent four seasons in the Steel City.

The Steelers drafted Emmanuel Sanders 82nd overall out of SMU in 2010, and him along with Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown gave Pittsburgh one of the best receiving corps in the National Football League. At the time, the Steelers were transitioning offensively, slowly opening things up more than they had in years past. Ben Roethlisberger had a deep group of targets, and Sanders fit perfectly as a smooth route runner who could stretch the field and make plays after the catch.

Sanders put up respectable numbers in his four seasons with the black and gold, but once his rookie contract expired, the two sides couldn’t agree on a deal. Sanders hit free agency and eventually signed a deal with the Denver Broncos.

Sanders’ career took off in Denver, surpassing 1,000 receiving yards in three straight seasons while catching passes from Hall of Famer Peyton Manning and winning a Super Bowl in 2015. 

One of Sanders’ biggest performances in a Bronco uniform came in his return to Pittsburgh during a 2015 matchup with major playoff implications on the line. Sanders clearly had that game circled on his calendar, and it showed on the stat sheet.

During a recent appearance on the Cleats & Convos Podcast with Deebo Samuel, Sanders reflected on his departure from the Steelers, as well as that December night in 2015. 

"It hurt, man. They had let me go. I felt some type of way. I took it personal,” Sanders said. “Then AB was on the other side, and that was a game. You could go watch that game to see me and AB going at it, back and forth at each other. I'd score, he'd score, he going off, I'm going off. I'm pointing him at the sideline. He pointing back at me, and I ended up having 181 [yards]. I think he had like 210 in that game.”

Not quite 210, but Brown finished the night with 16 catches for 189 yards and two touchdowns. It was a memorable night for all of those involved, but the Steelers got the last laugh securing a 34-27 win over the top-seeded Broncos to keep their playoff hopes alive. 

Steelers' Former Wideout Faced Dark Times In Pittsburgh

During his time in Pittsburgh, Sanders faced challenges on and off the field. He dealt with lingering injuries that kept him from playing at his best, all while coping with the heartbreaking loss of his mother. 

It was a difficult period for Sanders, both physically and emotionally, and it took a toll on him. Moving to Denver gave Sanders a much-needed fresh start, and that change ended up being exactly what he needed to reignite his career and get back to performing at a high level.

"When I first started off with the Steelers, man I was battling a lot of injuries. My mom passed away in my second year, so Pittsburgh was some dark times out there. I was going through some rough patches," Sanders said. I tore my meniscus, two foot surgeries, so I was just battling, and it felt like Denver was just the light at the end of the tunnel."

Looking back, Sanders sees his move to Denver as a turning point in his life and career. After dealing with injuries and personal loss in Pittsburgh, the change of scenery gave him a chance to reset both mentally and physically. 

Sanders bounced around a few different teams, but carved out a solid 12-year NFL career, retiring following the 2021 season. 

Although his time in Pittsburgh wasn't long, it wasn't hard to see Sanders' potential. It was clear he was destined for bigger things once he got the right opportunity to shine, and he did. 

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