Brian Sanford: Wrestling with Football

by Cathy Bongiovi, Temple Athletic Communications

After his sophomore season, Brian Sanford did not know if he liked playing high school football. So the 16-year old turned to his best friend-- wrestler Luis Gomez-- for help.

Gomez, who now wrestles at American International College in Springfield, Mass., convinced Sanford to join the wrestling team.

“Wrestling actually helped me with football a lot,” Sanford said. “I didn't think that it would, but it really helps you a lot with your bend, because you're low all the time. I think it helps you athletically.”

Sanford soon realized that, if he stuck with football, it could lead him to bigger things.

“I was at a point in my life when I realized that I needed to go to college someday. Then I played football and found out I was actually good at it,” Sanford revealed. “I found out that that was the way to go to get an education.”

Actually, he was good at both sports. A 2005 graduate of Hartford Public High School, Sanford earned three varsity letters in football, wrestling, and track and field. As a senior, he earned Hartford Courant All-State accolades on the gridiron. Sanford earned All-CCC East honors as a junior and senior. He also played in the Connecticut-Rhode Island Governor's Cup.

On the wrestling mat, Sanford finished third in both the Connecticut state and New England championships in the 215-pound weight class as a senior. At the 2005 CIAC Class M State Outdoor Track & Field Championships, he took first in the shot put, the discus, and the 110-meter hurdles.

Then he came to Temple as a member of Al Golden's first recruiting class.

“I really liked Philadelphia,” Sanford recalled. “When I visited Temple, I liked the communications department. I came to see the team, and Al Golden really sold me. I really just loved everything about Temple.”

Sanford has made the most of his time on the North Broad Street campus. As a true freshman in 2006, he played in six games at linebacker. A year later, he saw action in every game with two starting nods on the defensive line. Sanford received the Mark Bresani Award for spirit and enthusiasm at the conclusion of spring drills in 2008. Then last season as a junior, Sanford started all 12 games at left end and played with the punt unit. One of just seven Owls to start every game, Sanford had 31 tackles and three sacks last fall.

For his senior season, Sanford has switched positions and jersey numbers. This fall, donned in #93 instead of #52, he backs up All-MAC honoree Andre Neblett at nose tackle.

“It's not much different,” Sanford said of his new position. “I had to gain a lot more weight to play it. It's a little bit faster inside. I really love it, playing with Andre (Neblett) and Big Mo (Muhammad Wilkerson). It's fun out there.”

But why is he wearing a different number?

“Because I play a little bit of offense, I had to have an eligible number,” Sanford explained.

With his final season underway, Sanford is excited for what the future holds.

“I just want to do everything I can to help the team win. I know we can have a really good, winning season,” he said. “I'm trying to keep everyone's head on straight, trying to help lead. I just want to keep pushing and win every game.”

Teammate Dominique Harris likes his disposition.

“Sanford brings a lot of energy to the defense,” Harris said. “He's a very exciting player. He loves the game, and he's very passionate.”

Defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio believes the senior has adjusted well to change.

“Brian Sanford's done a great job,' D'Onofrio said. “We asked him to move after being a defensive end. Now he's gone in there and played defensive tackle and nose tackle. He's really gotten better. I think he's playing his best football. So he's accepted his role and played a lot of snaps in his first two weeks, so we consider him a starter even though he's been a reserve.”

Sanford will graduate in May with a degree in communications, and he is already planning ahead.

“I want to be in radio,” Sanford said. “I want to be an on-air personality or producing behind the scenes.”

“If I'm blessed enough to follow my career into the NFL, that's fine,” Sanford shared. “But I really want to be in radio, (starting with an) internship to find my way inside the door.”

Until then, Sanford will study and read his playbook.

“I'm happy to be a senior right now. We've improved so much.”

Temple University Athletics

Brian Sanford: Wrestling with Football

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