For the past four weeks, since Erie native Bob Sanders returned to the Indianapolis Colts' defensive secondary, he's been making the type of big plays for which he became famous in his hometown.

As a grade school football star at St. John the Baptist School, Sanders, though not physically imposing, gave notice that he might possess the skills to become a top-notch high school athlete. At Cathedral Prep, he was just that. Sanders excelled as a running back and defensive back, and he almost led the Ramblers to a state championship. They just fell short, 27-23, in the final seconds of a memorable 1999 showdown against Central Bucks West High School in Hershey.

Sanders is not big -- only about 5-foot-8 -- but he's always been strong and fast, with the ability to hit like a Mack truck. That's what attracted the attention of Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, who offered him a full scholarship. Sanders rewarded the coach's faith by making the All-America team, and he was taken in the second round of the NFL draft by the Colts.

Though he's suffered some injury problems, Sanders made his mark as one of the hardest-hitting defensive players in the league. He missed 12 games this season, but when he finally returned to the Colts' starting lineup, the team's defense was transformed.

It's been enjoyable for Erie folks to watch one of its favorite sons have so much success at football's highest level. In Sunday's Super Bowl, Sanders came through with another big game, as the Colts defeated the Chicago Bears, 29-17, to lay claim to the championship trophy.

Erie Times-News sports managing editor Matt Martin has performed like a head coach in recent weeks, as he assigned half a dozen members of his staff to the "Sanders watch." For Sunday's big game, Ron Leonardi was in constant contact with Sanders' parents, who were at the game in Miami. Sports columnist John Dudley was poised to begin typing the moment the game ended, and Mike Copper, another sports staffer, kept track of all mentions and significant plays by Sanders. Assorted copy editors, design personnel and others were also involved in this wide-ranging coverage.

One of the best aspects of the stories in today's newspaper is the photographic coverage of Sanders. The Times-News paid a premium to the Associated Press for special photos of Erie's hometown hero,and Sanders did his part by making big plays during the game and then taking center during the post-game celebration. Pictures of Sanders kissing the Vince Lombardi Trophy are scattered throughout the newspaper.

I knew the Sanders story was a big deal, as I watched the game, sitting next to a woman who knows little about football, and who spent most of the evening knitting a sweater. She knows about Bob Sanders, though, and would perk up and start cheering every time the Erie player's name was mentioned by CBS broadcasters Jim Nantz or Phil Simms.

That Sanders has always been devoted to his family when he returns home for one of his frequent visits to Erie only adds to the appeal of the story. Sunday's game offered the opportunity for Erie to watch with pride as one of its own excelled at the highest level.

Everyone on the Times-News sports staff had to hustle like crazy to get all the stories, photos, sidebars and many layers of coverage into the paper. But our people were inspired by Sanders, and the newspaper's coverage was hard-hitting -- just like one of Bob's tackles.

-- Kevin Cuneo

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