Adversity does not build character, it reveals it.
This is especially the case for redshirt sophomore linebacker, Arison Sanders. Growing up, Sanders had always had a passion for being active, going outdoors, and trying new things. Between fishing, shooting guns, and playing video games, there was one passion that trumped all others, the game of football. A native of Akron Ohio, Sanders was raised in a big football family, and had plenty of role models to look up to when it came to America's most popular sport.
"My uncles, my dad, my cousins., they've all broken state records and own state records," Sanders said. "I've just been around [football] my whole life."
Like his uncle, dad, and cousins, Sanders would soon learn that he also possessed special talent when it came to football. A standout athlete at Archbishop Hoban High School, which is just a six minute drive from the University of Akron, Sanders earned several accolades as a Knight.
To name a few, Sanders lettered three times in football and once in track, he was an All-League, All-State and All- Conference football player and last but not least, was a back to back state champion in football in 2015 and 2016. Sanders also made an impact in the classroom, as he was an Honor Roll student in his senior year.
After the conclusion of his senior year of football, Sanders was highly sought-after by multiple collegiate football programs. With a seemingly endless list of accolades and unmatched success in high school, Sanders describes how he found himself playing for the small town of Slippery Rock.
And just like that, Sanders was a collegiate athlete. It seemed as though the stars aligned for the standout linebacker and a perennial Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference powerhouse in Slippery Rock.
As a young and hopeful freshman, Sanders had all the tools necessary to make his presence known on a Slippery Rock team that was looking to rebound from a lackluster 7-4 season in 2016. It was during the summer before Sanders' freshman year that adversity would strike.
After being short of breath and coughing throughout the workout, Sanders began to cough up blood. Shortly after the practice session ended, Sanders went to the hospital to get to the bottom of what was going on. It was only a few days later that Sanders would be diagnosed with a blood clot in his lung, putting his collegiate football career in jeopardy before it even had a chance to start.
In the video below, Sanders reflects on how his diagnosis changed the scope of his athletic career.
Sanders would be forced to sit out his freshman year in 2017, but was able to redshirt to preserve his four years of eligibility to play college football. Sanders was able to continue his education as he battled to come back from the blood clot diagnosis. Between taking medicine and maintaining a healthy diet, Sanders said he did everything that he could to return to football and in 2018, he did just that.
Throughout the 2018 season, Sanders remained a key figure in Slippery Rock's special teams, leading the team with 11 special teams tackles. Sanders would go on to appear in all 14 of Slippery Rock's games in 2018, as The Rock compiled a 11-3 record, the most wins in a single season since 2015.
"[I] was just getting my plays where I could," Sanders said. "Whether it was blowouts or if somebody had to come out for a play, it was just being ready whenever your name was called on."
With his first healthy season with The Rock under his belt, Sanders described his 2018 campaign as a chance for things to go back to normal and learn the defensive scheme. It looked as though life had reverted back to its normalcy, for a few months at least. Once again during summer workouts, Sanders would suffer another setback, prior to the 2019 season. The blood clots returned, this time in his calf. Going through a devastating injury once again, Sanders explains how he knew that something was wrong.
Even despite being diagnosed with blood clots for a second time in as many years, Sanders never gave up on his love for football. He would go on to miss the next six weeks of the football season, before returning in Slippery Rock's biggest game of 2019 to that point against rival Indiana (Pa.). With just over minutes played in the game, starting linebacker Trysten McDonald went down with an ACL injury. From there on, Sanders would have his name called upon, even though he only returned to football just five days prior to that game.
Sanders would go on to play the rest of the game, contributing to a 45-42 win over IUP, giving The Rock the fast track to capturing the PSAC West title. Just a few weeks after his triumphant return to football, Sanders would have a career game in a 56-7 win over Gannon, recording eight tackles, one forced fumble and one touchdown. Head coach Shawn Lutz and linebackers coach Marc Hull give their thoughts on Sanders and why he is the embodiment of perseverance.
Now sitting at 13-0 and heading into the Division II football semifinals, Sanders continues to push himself and his teammates to improve each day. Even though his ailments have nearly cost him his football career let alone putting his life in danger, Sanders chooses to embrace his struggles with blood clots, using his experiences as personal motivation.
"Every day I wake up or anytime I'm like 'man I don't really feel like doing this anymore', I just remember where I was," Sanders said. "There's not many people that come back from that."
Sanders made sure to provide some words of encouragement for anyone who might be going through their own personal struggle, no matter what it is.
"If you could make it back from doing anything, school work, love life, family life, you have a chance to accomplish something great," Sanders said. "You can't forget about that, you gotta hold that close to your heart."
The best view comes after the hardest climb. As Sanders gears up to play for the right to go to the national championship game, this statement rings true. From a state champion in high school to a difference maker on one of the best football programs in Division II, Arison Sanders has encapsulated a relentless, never-give-up attitude.
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