49ers' Sanders: 'I just wanted to make a roster, here I am' in 3rd SB

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders has come a long way from his days of college football in Dallas.

"I remember just being a kid at SMU and just hoping I had an opportunity to get on a team and prove myself as a special-teamer," Sanders said, according to Ed Bouchette of The Athletic.

"I'd run down on kickoffs and tackle somebody if I had to. I just wanted to make it to the NFL," he added. "Now I look back 10 years later and three Super Bowl appearances and two Pro Bowls, three or four contracts and it's just like blowing my mind. I just wanted to make a roster, and here I am."

Sanders is set to play Sunday in his third career Super Bowl. He participated in Super Bowl XLV as a rookie for the Pittsburgh Steelers before signing with the Denver Broncos after four seasons and being a part of their Super Bowl 50-winning roster.

His tenure in Denver ended in October when the Broncos traded the pass-catcher to the 49ers midway through the regular season.

"I couldn't hope for a better situation than to end up with Niners," Sanders said. "But at the same time, there was pressure, too, because they were undefeated and I didn't want to be the reason they don't go undefeated. It feels good to know I was able to make the necessary plays when they called my number and help get to the Super Bowl. Now we have to win it."

The then-6-0 49ers didn't finish their campaign unbeaten - with a 13-3 record - but received a significant boost from Sanders, who amassed 36 catches for 502 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games with San Francisco. He also tossed one score in Week 14 against the New Orleans Saints.

The 32-year-old posted just 33 yards on two receptions in two games this postseason, though that's mostly due to the 49ers' success in the running game.