:Sanjay Beach

Beach attended Chandler High School.{{Cite web|last=Obert|first=Richard|title=Chandler High's all-time greatest football players|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/high-school/2014/10/07/chandler-high-all-time-greatest-football-players/16855349/|access-date=2021-08-07|work=The Arizona Republic}} As a senior, he received All-state honors at running back. He also practiced track.

He accepted a football scholarship from Colorado State University, from which he graduated in 1988 with a bachelor's degree in communication. As a freshman, he appeared in 7 games as a backup wide receiver, making 8 receptions for 129 yards and 11 kickoff returns for 297 yards (27-yard avg.)

As a sophomore, he appeared in 12 games, registering 37 receptions (second on the team), 381 receiving yards (third on the team), 3 receiving touchdowns (third on the team) and 18 kickoff returns for 381 yards (21.2-yard avg.).

As a junior, he appeared in 11 games, tallying 18 receptions for 192 yards. He returned 16 kickoffs for 382 yards (23.9-yard avg.).

As a senior, he appeared in 12 games, posting 22 receptions for 372yards. He had 23 kickoff returns for 497 yards (21.6-yard avg.) including a 99-yard touchdown return and received second-team All-Western Athletic Conference honors as a kick returner.

He finished his college career with 85 receptions for 1,074 yards, 3 receiving touchdowns, 68 kickoff returns for 1,557 yards (22.9-yard avg.) and one touchdown return. He also competed in track as a sprinter.

Beach was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 1988 NFL draft on April 28. After suffering an ankle injury, he was cut before the start of the season on August 19.{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/08/19/Thursdays-Sports-Transactions/2962587966400/|title=Thursday's Sports Transactions|publisher=UPI|access-date=August 4, 2023}}{{Cite news|url=https://archive.jsonline.com/sports/packers/sanjay-beach-was-catching-balls-from-elite-qbs-b99260168z1-258342141.html?page=1|title=Sanjay Beach was catching balls from elite QBs|access-date=August 4, 2023}}

On April 11, 1989, he signed as a free agent with the New York Jets. He was released on August 28.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/29/sports/toon-signs-contract-and-happily-joins-jets.html|title=Toon Signs Contract And Happily Joins Jets|publisher=The New York Times|access-date=August 4, 2023}} On September 6, he was signed to the practice squad, where he spent most of the season. On October 13, he was activated for the sixth game against the New Orleans Saints.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/15/sports/pro-football-a-bumpy-journey-to-the-jets.html|title=PRO FOOTBALL; A Bumpy Journey to the Jets|publisher=The New York Times|access-date=August 4, 2023}} On October 17, he was released and re-signed to the practice squad one day later on October 18.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/18/sports/desperate-jets-sign-receiver.html|title=Desperate Jets Sign Receiver|publisher=The New York Times|access-date=August 4, 2023}}

On March 21, 1990, he signed as a free agent with the San Francisco 49ers.{{cite web|title=Deals|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/22/sports/deals.html|publisher=The New York Times|access-date=August 4, 2023}} He was released on August 31. He was signed to the practice squad on October 1, where he remained for the rest of the season.

In 1991, he appeared in all 16 games as a reserve wide receiver, behind Jerry Rice, John Taylor and Mike Sherrard. He posted 4 receptions for 43 yards (10.8-yard avg.), 10 punt returns for 53 yards and 2 kickoff returns for 37 yards.

On March 28, 1992, he signed as a Plan B free agent with the Green Bay Packers, reuniting with head coach Mike Holmgren, who was his offensive coordinator with the 49ers.{{cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-xpm-1992-03-29-1992089110-story.html|title=Transactions|publisher=The Baltimore Sun|access-date=August 4, 2023}} He started at flanker in the first 11 games opposite to All-Pro Sterling Sharpe, until giving way to Ron Lewis before the Week 12 game. He finished fifth on the team (second among wide receivers) with 17 catches for 122 yards and one touchdown. He caught his first career touchdown in the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings. In the second game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Beach caught Brett Favre's first NFL completion, excluding a pass that was deflected and caught by Favre himself. He had a career-high 5 receptions against the Atlanta Falcons. He was released on September 25, 1993.

On October 27, 1993, he was signed as a free agent by the San Francisco 49ers.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/28/sports/transactions-858793.html|title=Transactions |publisher=The New York Times|access-date=August 4, 2023}} He appeared in 9 games and caught five passes for 59 yards.{{Cite web|url=http://football-players.pointafter.com/l/1220/Sanjay-Beach|title=Sanjay Beach|website=football-players.pointafter.com|access-date=2017-01-25}} He was released on August 23, 1994.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/24/sports/transactions-048208.html|title=Transactions |publisher=The New York Times|access-date=August 4, 2023}}

In 1995, Beach attempted a comeback with the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe.{{Cite web|url=http://www.footballdb.com/players/sanjay-beach-beachsa01|title=Sanjay Beach Football Statistics {{!}} The Football Database|website=FootballDB.com|access-date=2017-01-25}} He registered 27 receptions for 383 yards (second on the team), a 14.2-yard average and one touchdown.

On July 11, 1995, he signed as a free agent with the San Francisco 49ers.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/12/sports/transactions-439695.html|title=Transactions |publisher=The New York Times|access-date=August 4, 2023}} He was released before the start of the season.

On April 10, 1996, he signed as a free agent with the Denver Broncos, reuniting with head coach Mike Shanahan, who was his offensive coordinator with the 49ers.{{Cite web |date=April 10, 1996 |title=Broncos re-sign McElroy |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/04/10/Broncos-re-sign-McElroy/8066829108800/ |access-date=August 4, 2023 |website=United Press International}} He was released on August 19.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/20/sports/transactions-932418.html|title=Transactions |publisher=The New York Times|access-date=August 4, 2023}}

His father is from Jamaica and his mother from India. Beach is the first player of Indian descent to play in the NFL.{{Cite news|url=https://www.india.com/lifestyle/13-indian-american-athletes-you-should-know-700110/|title=13 Indian American Athletes you Should Know|last=Shah|first=Jinal|date=November 12, 2015|newspaper=India.com|access-date=August 4, 2023}}

After four years in the NFL, he retired, and went on to receive his master's degree in business administration from Colorado State University. He is currently a Managing Director for Raymond James Financial.{{cite web|url=https://www.raymondjames.com/westlakecleveland-branch/about-us/our-team|title=Our Team - Westlake Cleveland Branch of Raymond James|access-date=August 4, 2023}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Beach, Sanjay}}

Category:1966 births

Category:Living people

Category:American football wide receivers

Category:American sportspeople of Indian descent

Category:Amsterdam Admirals players

Category:Colorado State Rams football players

Category:Colorado State Rams men's track and field athletes

Category:Green Bay Packers players

Category:New York Jets players

Category:San Francisco 49ers players

Category:Players of American football from Chandler, Arizona

Category:Chandler High School (Arizona) alumni

Category:Asian American players of American football