Sanders' NFL Journey Includes Stops at Rams, Seahawks

Chauncy Deion Sanders was a familiar face on The Hill and is working to become one in the NFL. The ’23 communications media alumnus went from the Alabama A&M play-by-play announcer's desk to a broadcast internship with the Los Angeles Rams and has spent the last year as a broadcast intern with the Seattle Seahawks. The Cleveland native says he’s wanted to be a sportscaster since he was 9 years old.

“I would religiously watch or listen to every single Cleveland Cavaliers game,” says Sanders. “My passion for sports grew because of their excellent broadcasters.”

Sanders got his big break at AAMU as a videographer for social content and then interned at WJAB as a sports reporter.

“Mr. Mike Burns and Mr. Michael Morns gave me the opportunity to fill-in for play-by-play," he says. "I landed the role full time for the women's basketball program, then both men and women in the ‘19-20 season. Calling play-by-play for my University meant everything to me.”

Sanders' exceptional work led to opportunities outside of AAMU, including the 2022 NAIA National Tournament and Finals. He also interned at WHNT News 19, covering the 2021 NFL Draft in Cleveland and the 2022 SWAC Football Media Day in Birmingham. Sanders also joined the Marcus Graham Project’s “Be the Solution” campaign, which works to diversify the media and marketing industry. That netted him an opportunity to work with the Cleveland Browns.

“I started working a week-long project for the Browns during the 2021 offseason reviewing the Browns' activations from their call to action "Be the Solution" campaign,” says Sanders. “We also participated in a pitch competition. Eventually we would see the Browns utilize parts of our activation to continue their efforts in empowering the minority community in the greater Cleveland area.”   

In 2022, Sanders took part in the invitation-only ESPN-sponsored Black Sports Business Symposium in Atlanta, which links sports professionals to young, aspiring talent. A highlight was meeting his partial namesake Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders, on stage.

“When it comes to my name, my parents say they came to a rough spot because my father was a Dallas Cowboys fan and my mother was a fan of NBA player Chauncey Billups,” says Sanders. “They finally agreed on Chauncy Deion Sanders.” 

Sanders joined the speed networking session of the symposium and met Kevin Demoff, COO of the Los Angeles Rams, garnering a three-week broadcast internship with the then reigning Super Bowl Champions.

“I went from production assistant to being on camera as a co-host on the team's daily training camp show, and even called a drive during a preseason game,” he says. “I also co-produced and stared in the team's Code of Conduct video which still airs before every pregame.” 

Sanders landed his current internship with the Seahawks at the HBCU Legacy Bowl Career Fair in New Orleans.

“I made the trip thanks to AAMU Director of Career Development Services Yvette Clayton and Communication Media Program Coordinator Semaj Robinson,” says Sanders. “My day now consists of building production elements like commercials, rejoins, and opens, for every radio broadcast using Adobe Audition. I archive audio throughout the week to help build storylines and produce talking points for the team's pregame show and multiple podcasts. I also assist in booking players for interviews and serve as production assistant on gamedays.”

As his internship with the Seahawks comes to a close, Sanders hopes another opportunity comes his way at the 2024 Black Sports Business Symposium this May in Atlanta, where a mini documentary of his experience from AAMU to the NFL will be featured.

“My plan is to continue my journey of becoming a prominent broadcaster. My ultimate goal is to become one of the best storytellers the sports world has ever seen. Having this opportunity in the NFL at this age is a once in a lifetime event. AAMU has allowed me to take this journey, the ultimate example of starting here and going anywhere.” 

AAMU STUDENTS INTERESTED IN ATTENDING THE 2024 BLACK SPORTS BUSINESS SYMPOSIUM CAN APPLY HERE