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A North Charleston police officer’s professional football dreams have come true after he was drafted by the Orlando Guardians of the XFL.
Officer Trevon Sanders, 25, was just drafted in the second round of the XFL supplemental draft on January 8. He will play defensive tackle for the Florida-based minor league team.
The South Carolina department recently celebrated the event.
“Please join NCPD in congratulating Officer Trevon Sanders who is joining the Orlando Guardians of the Extreme Football League. Officer Sanders was selected in the XFL supplemental draft. We are so proud of you, sir!” the department wrote on Twitter.
Reflecting on the moment after the announcement was made, Sanders, a native of North Charleston, spoke about his humble upbringing.
“It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t the best. It’s kind of low, middle class-type area,” Sanders recalled. “It showed me the rules of life — the good, bad and ugly.”
Sanders attended Military Magnet and then received honors for his junior and senior seasons for the Garrett Academy of Technology football team, where he played defensive tackle.
He then moved on to play for four years at the Division I level, playing at Troy University, where he registered 108 tackles, 6 sacks and an interception. Because of his success, he was eventually signed by the New York Jets.
However, his career in the NFL didn’t stick, and it was further interrupted when the COVID-19 pandemic further dashed his plans to play in the XFL for the Los Angeles Wildcats.
Instead, during that time, he pursued his other calling in law enforcement after getting a call from NCPD Chief Reggie Burgess.
“I wanted to leave Charleston, but I’m like, ‘Why not fix your own community before you try to leave and fix somewhere else?’” Sanders said.
“That’s just the main goal. As long as you’re out there doing your due diligence to help people out — that’s why I decided to join the force,” Sanders explained.
However, when Sanders first received the news of his draft result, he wasn’t sure which path to take.
“I didn’t get any sleep Sunday. My mind was racing. I was trying to figure out what to do because I love being a police officer in North Charleston. This isn’t a job for me, it’s a career.”
Although Sanders will now continue his football career, his career as a police officer will still be waiting for him when this phase is over.
“It’s bittersweet for me because I’m leaving a place I love, but I know I always have a home back in North Charleston.”
The department remained supportive of his decision and will be waiting for when he gets back.
“Trevon will be back to serve the community,” Burgess said. “We’re going to support him now and he’ll support us when he gets back. We have an opportunity to help Trevon fulfill a dream and we want to support him. He’s been a model officer since the day he’s arrived.”
The XFL is co-owned by actor and wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
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