Steelers.com brings you the Ask the Steelers feature. Fans submitted the questions that were asked. Please understand that we receive an incredible number of questions for each player, with many of the questions being similar, and not all of the questions can be answered. We selected as many as possible, and took your questions to the current subject to get your answers.
Wide Receiver Emmanuel Sanders Part 2From Alex Patterson:
Did you make any changes to your offseason workouts knowing you could be a starter this year?
Emmanuel Sanders: I have always been a hard working guy and that is why I am in the role right now, because of the hard work I put in. I am looking forward to starting but am going to continue to be me. I am not going to think too much about being a starter. I am just going to be Emmanuel. I feel like ever since I came into this league I have been a starter, so I am definitely not going to change things now.
From Demario Stanback: I am 15-years old and a diehard Steelers fan. My question is, what would you be doing if you weren't in the NFL?
Emmanuel Sanders: Who knows? I would probably be the President of the United States.
From Todd Ackerman: How important is it to have the mix of young and veteran receivers, with yourself and Antonio Brown, along with Plaxico Burress and Jerricho Cotchery?
Emmanuel Sanders: You have to have that balance. You have young, energy guys and then guys that are more mature as far as the mental preparation of the game. It's a perfect balance.
From Jimmy Yomitanzan: The Patriots tried to sign you as a restricted free agent, but the Steelers matched the offer and wanted you to stay with our team. How do you feel about the Steelers organization now that you are needed and wanted here?
Emmanuel Sanders: I will always love the Steelers organization. It will always be in my heart. It felt good to hear Mike Tomlin call and say they were going to match the tender because it lets me know they appreciate me.
From Greg Morgan: Was it stressful going through the whole restricted free agent process and not knowing what was going to happen?
Emmanuel Sanders: There wasn't any stress. I am a big believer in God and I know God has a game plan for me. I just continue to work hard and live it out.
From Shirley Brock: Do you feel like you need to prove the Steelers did the right thing matching the offer and that you need to come out and have a big season?
Emmanuel Sanders: There is nothing to prove. I just have to continue to be Emmanuel. I think Pittsburgh matched the offer because they know what I am capable of. I just have to stay focused and run my race.
From Steve Torchin: There are very few conversations with Steelers players that don't include a reference to it being a great organization. You also made a similar comment on your return to Pittsburgh. What in your opinion makes the organization stand above the rest of the NFL?
Emmanuel Sanders: It's genuine people. They don't beat around the bush. They tell you what it is, and what it is not. There is a great environment around here. Guys can bring their kids and they play in the locker room, we all know each other's families. It's just a great environment.
From Larry Fryer: Is the Steelers locker room as tight as everyone says it is? Are you guys really like family?
Emmanuel Sanders: It's definitely a family environment. Whatever anyone else says, it's all rumors. This locker room is a really good one.
From Joel DeVera: How are things developing between the wide receivers and Richard Mann?
Emmanuel Sanders: It's going really well. I have a lot of respect for Richard Mann. He has coached in the NFL for a long time, he has won a Super Bowl, and he has coached a lot of Pro Bowl players. He is a good addition to our room.
From Jess Norris: Who has had the biggest impact on your football career?
Emmanuel Sanders: My grandma, Josie Sanders. You have to go to where it all began. She is the one who signed me up for football when I was eight years old. She has definitely had the biggest impact because if she hadn't signed me up, none of this would have happened.
