Semi-pro football team the Lansing Lightning are uplifting their community while providing sports enthusiasts with much needed live gridiron action. One of their exciting players, #15 wide receiver Wanya Sanders is happy to be part of their winning, motivating culture.
In THIS INTERVIEW Savage talked taking a stand for what you believe, not being complacent, and NFL greats Randy Moss and Larry Fitzgerald. Enjoy!
What is something you’ve learned about football by playing that the average person can’t learn by simply watching?
Football is a mental game. It’s not only between coaches and coordinators, in between those lines one bad choice can be the difference between celebrating after the game or leaving with a loss.
Who is the best to ever play your position and what about them inspires you?
Well, it depends on what you’re looking for. I play wide receiver and when it comes to sheer dominance at that position Randy Moss takes it. When your last name becomes a verb, you know you’ve changed the game.
Overall, though, I would have to go Larry Fitzgerald. I’m a little biased because he’s my favorite, but in terms of longevity and continuous impact I think he takes it. Also, Fitzgerald has more tackles at wide receiver than he has drops in his career.
You and your teammates play to win, but why does losing matter too?
Everyone should want to win because this is a competition at the end of the day. Losing isn’t always bad though as long as you learn and fix your mistakes. Also losing keeps you hungry, winning all the time makes some people complacent, and complacency on that field will hinder production.
What can young fans learn from you besides sportsmanship and hard work?
They can learn that it’s okay to stand up – kneel in this case – for what you believe in. Every game I kneel during the anthem. It’s not to disrespect anyone, or lack of respect for those fighting either. I have many military veterans in my family, so I would never disrespect our troops or veterans.
I kneel because we have a problem in this country that’s not being fully addressed, so I will not stand for anthem behind a country that doesn’t stand for me.
Why is it important for Lansing Lightning and the community to support one another?
Support is a huge factor in change. To be able to bring positivity and prosperity to Lansing we have to all be the change we want to see. Nobody or organization alone can change a city, but a community backed by a great organization is a great start. |THIS.
[By Mr. Joe Walker | Photos by Beige Planet Photography]
The Lansing Lightning play their next game vs Michigan Cobras Saturday, July 31, 2021 at Risdale Park 4500 Pleasant Grove, Lansing, Michigan 48911. Kickoff is at 5:30PM. For more information visit LansingFootballClub.com and their official Facebook page.
