Sanders was born in San Antonio, Texas, and played football at Van Nuys High School in Los Angeles.
[4] Under Sanders as the general manager, the Chargers won three straight AFC West division titles (1979–1981) and qualified for the NFL playoffs four times.
[7] Sanders' notable draft picks included Gary Anderson, James Brooks, Gill Byrd, John Jefferson, Jim Lachey, Leslie O'Neal, Ralf Mojsiejenko, Billy Ray Smith, Lee Williams and Kellen Winslow.
[1] After leaving the Chargers, Sanders was unsuccessful in bringing an Arena Football League team to San Diego.
[2] Sanders died of apparent heart failure on October 26, 1990, at Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa, California.