Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/462058
2015 RECRUITING ISSUE BY LOU SOMOGYI On his 18th birthday last Septem- ber, CJ Sanders decided to purchase a car, an immense rite of passage for a teenager. The car just happened to be a brand new Mercedes S500 — and it wasn't even for himself. It was a gift to his mother, Stacie Harris. Sanders had to wait until he was 18 before he could legally take control of the money he earned as a child actor from age 6 through age 13. " S h e ' s d o n e s o m u c h f o r m e throughout the years," Sanders said of his generosity. "She's always known what was best for me as far as moving back and forth. I didn't see the plan at first, but the end re- sult has been awesome. "I just trust in her, and she does so much for me. I felt it was only right to bless her with something she al- ways wanted. She cried like a baby. The moment was priceless, and she deserves it." Meanwhile, Sanders drives a 2003 Lexus that he plans to give to his sister once he enrolls at Notre Dame this summer. Stage fright at the collegiate level won't be a problem for Sanders, who at age 6 played Ray Charles as a child in the Oscar-winning film "Ray," and he has nine other movie or television show acting credits to his name. His father is former Ohio State and All The World Is A sTAge For CJ sAnders Sanders, the nation's No. 37 wide receiver according to Rivals.com, accounted for 21 touchdowns (nine rushing, eight receiving, two on kickoff returns and two on punt runbacks) during his senior season at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, Calif. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM