13 Facts About Sanford Wheeler

Sanford Matthew Wheeler was an Australian rules football player for the Sydney Swans.

Sanford Wheeler 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.

Sanford Wheeler migrated with his family to Sydney, New South Wales, at the age of 5.

Sanford Wheeler briefly moved to Melbourne during his primary school years before returning to Sydney.

Sanford Wheeler was recruited to the Sydney Swans via zone allocation in 1988 at the age of 18.

Sanford Wheeler was welcomed back to Sydney the following year under new coach Col Kinnear, and subsequently made his Victorian Football League debut in a much-depleted Swans team in round 6,1989, against St Kilda.

Sanford Wheeler began to establish himself in the senior side and would make 11 appearances the following season in the newly renamed Australian Football League.

Sanford Wheeler's quick run and hard tackling were trademarks of his game.

Sanford Wheeler played the majority of his career during the Swans' darkest era, where they "won" three successive wooden spoons from 1992 to 1994 during a time of financial turmoil for the club.

Sanford Wheeler was again selected for the state team the following year, this time in a combined team with the Australian Capital Territory for their match against Victoria at the 1993 State of Origin Championships.

At the time, Sanford Wheeler was the subject of an impromptu fan club, who took mock credit for his selection.

Sanford Wheeler was considered by many to be the Swans' most improved player that season.

Sanford Wheeler died in California on 10 March 2020, aged 49.