The Bellville faithful packed AT&T Stadium for the program’s first state championship appearance since 1977, and many in the sea of red were learning for the first time that the two star players were brothers.

Not only did DJ Sanders and DD Murray have different last names, but they bore no resemblance in a Bellville uniform. The 6’3, 290-pound Sanders is a man amongst boys, dominating opposing offensive linemen with 115 tackles and 15 sacks. Murray, meanwhile, is a stout 5’10, 200 running back who compiled over 2,000 yards and 38 touchdowns.

It wasn’t the first time their mother, Connie Sanders, had to prove they were brothers. When her boys played in the Bellville Youth Football League, she had to bring DJ’s birth certificate because other parents didn’t believe his age. They didn’t want that big kid hitting their son. DJ, a gentle giant, took that to heart. He quit football for a time because he didn’t want to hurt anyone. 

“I said, ‘Son, you want to get rolled over? Or do you want them to get rolled over? Pick one,” Connie said. “You don’t need to get rolled over.”