Football: On his 18th birthday, Notre Dame’s CJ Sanders buys his mom a new car

To celebrate his 18th birthday on Thursday, standout senior receiver CJ Sanders of Sherman Oaks Notre Dame decided to do something memorable.

He bought his mother, Stacie Harris, a Mercedes S500.

“I wanted to give her the car she dreamed of,” he said on Saturday.

And what was her reaction?

“She cried,” he said.

Sanders had been waiting until he turned 18 to legally take control of the money he had earned from being a child actor.

So why not honor the mother who has made plenty of sacrifices to help raise him?

Sanders grew up in the San Fernando Valley, then moved to Tennessee before high school began. He moved back this year, enrolled at Notre Dame and already has eight touchdowns in three games. He’s committed to the University of Notre Dame.

He’ll get his first experience playing in the Mission League on Friday night, when Notre Dame (3-0) faces Gardena Serra in a league opener.

“I can’t wait,” he said. “I’m so excited.”

Maybe his mom will give him a ride in her new car.

Twitter:@LATSondheimer