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Barry Sanders

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For his son and former college football player, see Barry J. Sanders. For the historian and author, see Barry Sanders (professor).

Barry Sanders
refer to caption
Sanders in 2019
No. 20
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born: (1968-07-16) July 16, 1968 (age 53)
Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
Height:5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight:200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:Wichita North (Wichita)
College:Oklahoma State (1986–1988)
NFL Draft:1989 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:15,269
Yards per carry:5
Rushing touchdowns:99
Receptions:352
Receiving yards:2,921
Receiving touchdowns:10
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Barry David Sanders[1] (born July 16, 1968) is a former American professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL), from 1989 to 1998 for the Detroit Lions. Sanders led the league in rushing yards four times and in rushing touchdowns once, establishing himself as one of the most elusive runners in the history of the NFL with his quickness and agility, despite only having a height of 5 ft 8 in and weighing 203 lbs.[1][2] Sanders played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, where as a junior in 1988, compiled what is considered the greatest individual season in college football history, rushing for 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns in 11 games. He was awarded the Heisman Trophy and was unanimously recognized as an All-American.

Sanders was selected by the Lions in 1989 and had an immediate impact in his rookie season, winning the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. In 1991, Sanders helped lead the Lions to their first and only postseason victory since 1958. In 1994, Sanders was awarded the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award. In 1997, he became just the third player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season and was awarded the NFL Most Valuable Player Award (MVP), alongside his second NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award. While still performing at a high level, Sanders unexpectedly retired from football after the 1998 season, at the age of 31, and 1,457 yards short of breaking the NFLs then all-time rushing record held by Walter Payton. He finished his career with 15,269 rushing yards (fourth all-time), 99 rushing touchdowns (tenth all-time), and was selected to a Pro Bowl and All-Pro team in each of his ten seasons. Sanders' No. 20 jersey was retired by the Lions, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004. A year later Sanders was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame with teammate Thurman Thomas.

In 2007, he was ranked by NFL Network's NFL Top 10 series as the most elusive runner in NFL history, and was placed No. 1 on the list of the greatest players never to play in a Super Bowl. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. Bleacher Report ranked Sanders No. 4 on their list of greatest running backs in NFL history. He averaged 1,527 rushing yards per season and just under 100 rushing yards per game (99.8). Sanders was first inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1998, into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003 and in that same year inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. In 2000, Sanders was included in the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team, and in 2019, Sanders was named to the National Football League 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.

Early life[edit]

Barry David Sanders was born on July 16, 1968, in Wichita, Kansas, as the seventh of eleven children, to William and Shirley Sanders.[3] His father worked as a roofer and carpenter, while his mother worked as a homemaker for the Sanders family.[4] Sanders and two of his brothers worked as roofer's assistants to his father. As a child, Sanders was known for loving to eat; being able to eat an entire loaf of bread in one sitting.[5] Mitch Albom of the Detroit Free Press wrote: "All day they would labor, with the hammers, with the tar, sweating in the hot summer sun. You did not complain in the Sanders family. Not unless you wanted a good whupping."[6]

Sanders played football at Wichita North High School.[7] Before this, he enjoyed playing biddy football and basketball.[8] Sanders started at tailback in his sophomore year, but his brother Byron started before him in that position during his junior year.[9] When Byron graduated and left for Northwestern University on a football scholarship,[10] Sanders was expected to start at tailback in his senior year, but instead was started at wingback, a variant of the wide receiver position. His head coach at the time believed that his small stature would be a liability and that he "lacked contact courage."[9] Besides football, he played basketball as a guard.[11]

Sanders did not become the starting running back until the fourth game of his senior year, when the original player was suspended for disciplinary reasons; he rushed for 274 yards and four touchdowns in that game.[12][13] During one of these touchdown runs, Sanders cut and darted his way into the end zone. His coach, Dale Burkholder, called it: "one of the greatest runs I've ever seen by a high school running back."[14] He rushed for 1,417 yards on 139 rushing attempts, averaging 10.2 yards per rushing attempt, and scored 17 touchdowns through his seven-game senior season.[7][15] In the last game of the season, Burkholder offered Sanders more playing time in order to gain enough rushing yards to reach the state rushing title, but Sanders declined, saying it was "not important."[16] For his season, Sanders earned all-state honors, and named an Honorable Mention All-American.[15][17] Although he was a stellar athlete, because of his short stature, Sanders received scholarship offers from only Wichita State University, Iowa State University, University of Tulsa, and Oklahoma State University-Stillwater; accepting the offer from Oklahoma State.[18]

Sanders later said that his choice to play at Oklahoma State caused a conflict between him and his father. When the Oklahoma State's coach came to his father's house with a letter of intent the day Sanders signed with the team, his father was frustrated, saying as the coach walked out the door that Sanders was "making a big mistake" when signing with the team.[19][16] His father was similarly frustrated because Oklahoma State played in the same conference as the Oklahoma Sooners, whom William was a fan of.[16] Mark McCormick, a friend of Sanders, told him that William told McCormick that Sanders had chosen to play at Oklahoma State "in order to hide"; Sanders would be playing behind Heisman candidate Thurman Thomas, as opposed to playing at a school where he would be the starting running back. Eventually, Sanders' father supported Sanders at Oklahoma State, and attended all of his games when he played.[19]

College career[edit]

Oklahoma State[edit]

Enrolling at Oklahoma State University, Sanders played for the Oklahoma State Cowboys from 1986 to 1988 and wore the No. 21.[20][21] During his first two years, he backed up Thurman Thomas at running back.[22] In 1986, Sanders played in eight games and rushed for 325 rushing yards on 74 rushing attempts and two rushing touchdowns.[20] In 1987, he led the nation in yards per kickoff return (31.6), while rushing for 603 yards and scoring nine rushing touchdowns, catching four passes for 58 receiving yards and a touchdown, and two touchdowns off of 29 total special teams returns.[23][20][24] He was named a second-team All-American as a return specialist.[25] While still a backup to Thomas, he received notable attention from his opponents. Oklahoma Sooners head coach Barry Switzer in particular told his players not to injure Thomas, in fear of Sanders starting in his place, telling them: "You won't touch this kid".[22][16] Sanders was not fond of this as he believed Thomas to be a good teammate.[16] Thomas moved on to the NFL in 1988 which allowed Sanders to become the starter for his junior year.[22]

In 1988, in what is considered one of the greatest individual seasons in college football history,[26][27] Sanders became the first player to open two consecutive seasons with a 100-yard kickoff return.[28] He led the nation by averaging 7.6 yards per attempt and over 200 yards per game, including rushing for over 300 yards in four games. Despite his massive workload of 344 attempts, Sanders was still used as the team's punt and kickoff returner, adding another 516 yards on special teams. He set college football season records with 2,628 yards rushing, 3,248 total all-purpose yards (broken by Christian McCaffrey in 2015), 234 points (broken by Montee Ball in 2011), 37 rushing touchdowns, and 39 total touchdowns, (37 rushing, two receiving, tied with Ball).[24][20][29]

Sanders had five consecutive 200-yard games, scored at least two touchdowns in all eleven games, and eight times he scored at least three touchdowns. Sanders ran for 222 yards and scored five touchdowns in just three-quarters of action in the 1988 Holiday Bowl, a game that is not included in the official NCAA season statistics.[30] When added to his original rushing total, Sanders recorded 2,850 rushing yards off a workload of 373 attempts and 42 rushing touchdowns, and in total. 44 touchdowns. Sanders learned of his Heisman Trophy win while he was with the team in Tokyo, Japan preparing to face Texas Tech in the Coca-Cola Classic, accepting the award via satellite, he garnered 559 first-place votes for 1,878 points; and was selected as a unanimous All-American.[31][32][33] Sanders initially announced that he was not going to enter the NFL Draft, but after receiving pressure from his father, he announced that he would enter the Draft.[34]

College statistics[edit]

Season GP Rushing Receiving
Att Yds Avg Y/G TD Rec Yds TD
1986 8 74 325 4.4 40.6 2 0 0 0
1987 11 105 603 5.7 51.8 9 4 58 1
1988 11 344 2,628 7.6 237.5 37 19 106 2
Total 32 558 3,797 6.8 118.7 52* 23 165 3
Source: Barry Sanders at Sports Reference

NCAA FBS records[edit]

Sanders set 34 NCAA Division I FBS records in his college career, and still holds the following records:[24][31]

  • Most rushing yards in a season: 2,628
  • Most rushing yards gained in a three, four, and five game span: 937; 1,152; 1,472
  • Most rushing touchdowns in a season: 37
  • Most 2+ rushing touchdown games in a season: 11
  • Most 3+ rushing touchdown games in a season: 8
  • Most consecutive games scoring two or more touchdowns: 13 (from Nov. 14, 1987, through 1988)
  • Most scrimmage touchdowns in a season: 39 (tied with Ball)
  • Most games rushing for 300+ yards in a season and career: 4
  • Most all-purpose yards per game in a season: 295.5
  • Most rushing yards per game in a season: 238.9

Professional career[edit]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight 40-yard dash
5 ft 7+5⁄8 in
(1.72 m) 		203 lb
(92 kg) 		4.37 s
All values from Pro Day[35]

Detroit Lions (1989–1998)[edit]

Sanders, a junior, was originally ineligible for the draft. However, Oklahoma State had been under investigation by the NCAA for going against recruiting rules, and later were given significant penalties for its violations. If Sanders had stayed for his senior season, his games would not be televised, and the Cowboys would be ineligible for college bowl games. Due to this, NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle allowed Sanders to enter the draft.[34] One year after being selected, the NFL allowed all juniors to participate in the draft.[36]

Sanders played home games in the Pontiac Silverdome (pictured in 2011)

The Detroit Lions drafted Sanders No. 3 in the 1989 NFL Draft, after Troy Aikman and Tony Mandarich, thanks to the endorsement of coach Wayne Fontes.[21][37] The Lions' management considered drafting another "Sanders", cornerback Deion Sanders, but Fontes convinced them to draft Barry instead.[38] Fontes offered Sanders jersey No. 20, which had been worn by former Lions running back Billy Sims; Sims was one of the league's top running backs in the early 1980s, and Fontes had requested Sanders to wear the number in tribute to Sims.[39] Sanders had doubts about what his career would have been like if the Green Bay Packers selected him No. 2 instead of Mandarich, later saying: "I don't know what I would've done if I was drafted by Green Bay, I don't know if I would've wanted to play in Green Bay, I don't think I could've handled this weather every day."[40] Sanders missed the training camp of his rookie season due to a contract dispute. He eventually came to terms with the Lions, signing a contract for five years, $9.5 million, including a $2.1 million signing bonus; ten percent of which ($210,000), he donated to his local church: Paradise Baptist Church.[41][13] In his first Lions press conference, Sanders acclaimed that he wanted to help "restore the roar in the dome."[16]

Early years and postseason win (1989–1991)[edit]

As a rookie in 1989, in his first career professional game against the Phoenix Cardinals, Sanders ran for 71 yards on nine attempts and a rushing touchdown in the 16–13 loss, after playing for the first half of the game.[42][43] He ran for 19 yards on the first rushing attempt of his career and scored his touchdown on his fourth.[44] In a 47–27 loss against the Chicago Bears, Sanders had the first game of his career going over 100 yards, with 126 yards on 18 attempts and a touchdown, but became injured, with bruised ribs and a hip pointer that plagued him through the rest of the season.[43][45][46] He only had one-yard on five attempts as the Lions were defeated in a 23–3 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers.[43] In a game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sanders had 23 attempts for 99 yards in the 17–24 loss.[43] Afterwards, Vikings head coach Jerry Burns asked game officials to check if Sanders had applied silicone to himself, due to how difficult it was for players to tackle him: the officials found no illegal substance.[46] On December 24, 1989, the final game of the season, he had 158 yards on 20 attempts and three touchdowns in the 31–24 victory against the Atlanta Falcons.[43] During the game, The Lions installed a special phone line in one of the press boxes to monitor Christian Okoye, who was tied with Sanders for the league rushing title. When Okoye's game ended, Sanders trailed Okoye by only ten yards. Fontes offered Sanders to return to the game to gain enough yards to pass Okoye, after Sanders was pulled from the game in the fourth quarter when the game was 31–10 in the Lions' favor. Yet Sanders declined to return to the game, letting Okoye keep the rushing title.[47] Sanders finished the season with 1,470 rushing yards off of 280 attempts and 14 touchdowns.[48] His rushing total was both a rookie franchise record, and a franchise record for any running back in Lions history (both records held previously by Billy Sims).[49] Sanders was awarded the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team, and selected to the Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro team.[1][50] The Lions struggled, posting a 7–9 record and failing to make the postseason; despite winning five straight games to end the season.[51]

On September 09, 1990, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sanders had 79 yards off of 14 rushing attempts and a goal-line touchdown as the Lions lost 21–38.[52] Against the Green Bay Packers, Sanders had 20 attempts for 94 yards and a 21–24 loss.[52] Sanders had five receptions for 135 yards receiving and a 47-yard touchdown in a 43–24 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs.[52] In a game against the Los Angeles Raiders, Sanders had a season-high 176 yards off of 25 attempts and two touchdowns of five yards and 35 yards respectively in the 31–38 loss.[52] In Week 16, against the Packers, Sanders had 19 attempts for 133 yards and a touchdown in the 24–17 victory.[52] Sanders finished first in the NFL in rushing yards, with 1,304, becoming the first Lions running back to lead the league in rushing yards since Byron White in 1940.[53][52] Sanders ranked third in rushing touchdowns (13), sixth in attempts (255), and sixth in yards per attempt (5.1).[54] As a result, Sanders was selected to his second Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro team.[1] The Lions finished the year with a 6–10 record and missed the postseason for the seventh consecutive season.[55]

On September 1, 1991, Sanders was inactive for the Lions' 45–0 shutout loss against the Washington Redskins, due to having sore ribs before the opening kickoff. The loss was the franchise's worst in over 20 years.[56] On November 24, 1991, against the Minnesota Vikings, Sanders recorded 220 rushing yards on 23 attempts and four touchdowns, a game the Lions won 34–14.[57] Sanders dedicated the win to teammate Mike Utley, who suffered a career-ending spinal cord injury the previous game.[58][59] In the final game of the regular-season against the Buffalo Bills, Sanders had 26 attempts for 108 yards and a touchdown, but had a fumble in Lions territory that allowed the Bills to tie the game, in the 17–14 overtime victory.[60] Sanders finished the regular-season with 1,548 rushing yards off of 342 attempts. He led the league in rushing touchdowns, with a career-high 16. As a result, he was selected to the Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro team, and awarded the Bert Bell Award.[1] With a 12–4 record, the Lions clinched the NFC Central and made the postseason for the first time since 1983.[55] Those 12 wins are the most in a season by the Lions franchise in its history.[61] Having the No. 2 seed in the NFC, the Lions skipped the Wild Card Round and advanced to the Divisional Round, in which the Lions faced the Dallas Cowboys. Sanders helped lead the Lions to their first postseason victory since the team won the 1957 NFL Championship Game. In the game, Sanders was held to only 22 yards rushing before he broke for a 47-yard touchdown run, in which he broke several tackles to close out the 38–6 victory.[16][62][63][64] In the NFC Championship Game, Sanders was held to eleven attempts for 44 yards in the Lions' blowout 10–41 loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Washington Redskins.[57] Sanders finished the postseason with 23 attempts for 113 yards and a touchdown. He would never win another playoff game in his career after this season.[57][16]

Mid-career (1992–1994)[edit]

On September 13, 1992, Sanders had 26 attempts for 66 yards in the 31–17 victory against the Minnesota Vikings.[65] Against the Washington Redskins, Sanders recorded 14 attempts for only 34 yards as the Lions lost 10–13.[65] Sanders had 29 attempts for 151 yards and a touchdown in a 19–13 loss against the Cincinnati Bengals.[65] His rushing total against the Bengals brought his career rushing yards to 5,202 rushing yards, a new career franchise record that Billy Sims previously held.[66] Sanders finished his final regular-season game with 19 attempts for 104 yards in a 6–24 loss against the San Francisco 49ers.[65] Overall, Sanders finished with 1,352 rushing yards off of 312 attempts, his rushing yards total ranked fourth in the league, and his attempts ranked third. He ranked sixth in rushing touchdowns, with nine., while he posted a career-low in yards per attempt (4.3).[67] He was selected to the Pro Bowl and his first Second-team All-Pro team.[1] The Lions regressed from their previous season, posting a 5–11 record for the year, and missed the playoffs after making the conference championship the previous season.[55]

On November 25, 1993, against the Chicago Bears, Sanders was credited with 16 attempts for 63 yards before leaving the game with an injury; The Lions lost the game 6–10.[68][69] It was later revealed after the game that Sanders had suffered a torn MCL, and would be out for three to five weeks. As a result, Sanders missed the last five games of the regular-season.[69] In his final contract year, Sanders and the Lions agreed to a four-year, $17.2-million contract, making him the highest-paid running back in the NFL, and the third-highest-paid player overall, behind John Elway and Steve Young.[70][71] Starting in only eleven games due to injury, he still finished in the top ten in multiple rushing categories. Sanders was ranked fifth in the league in rushing yards (1,115 rushing yards), ninth in attempts (243), seventh in yards per attempt (4.6), and second in rushing yards per game (101.4 rushing yards per game); though he had a career-low three rushing touchdowns.[72] He was named to the Pro Bowl and Second-team All-Pro team.[66][1] The Lions finished the regular-season with a 10–6 record, clinching the NFC Central and a postseason berth.[55] The Lions faced their division rival Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round. Sanders, after being cleared to start the game after his injury, recorded 27 attempts for 169 yards, the best statistical postseason game of his career. But the Lions lost the game 24–28.[68]

“We’re learning little by little, the hard way, that when Barry Sanders is not having the day you expect him to have, it’s hard for this team to win.”

–Wayne Fontes following the 1994 NFC Wild Card Round[73]

On September 11, 1994, Sanders struggled, as he had 12 attempts for only 16 yards in a 3–10 loss against the Minnesota Vikings.[74] During a game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sanders had a career-high 40 attempts for 194 yards in the 20–17 overtime victory.[74] For his performance, he was named the NFC Offensive Player of The Week.[75] On September 25, 1994, against the New England Patriots, Sanders had 18 attempts for 131 yards and two touchdowns, a game the Lions lost 17–23. During the game, Sanders had one of the most memorable runs of his career. While rushing 39-yards for a touchdown, Sanders juked and spun his way to the end zone, causing Patriots safety Harlon Barnett to spin around trying to tackle Sanders. Barnett later spoke of the moment: "I'm not embarrassed about what happened. I thought I did pretty good. I got in front of him twice", Barnett then added, "I just didn't stay there."[76][74] Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in a 14–9 victory, Sanders had arguably the best statistical game of his career, having a career-high 237 rushing yards (franchise record), off of 26 attempts; setting a record for most rushing yards in a single game without scoring a touchdown.[74][77][78] Sanders finished first in the league in rushing yards, with 1,883 rushing yards off of 331 attempts, and scored seven touchdowns. His single-season rushing total was fourth in NFL history at the time of that season.[79] He totaled 2,166 yards from scrimmage, which, at the time, was the seventh-most ever in a season.[80][81] As a result of his season, he was selected to the Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro team after the regular-season. Sanders was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year for the 1994 season and finished second in NFL Most Valuable Player voting behind Steve Young.[1] The Lions finished the year with a 9–7 record and made the postseason with a wild card spot.[55] The Lions faced the Green Bay Packers again in the Wild Card Round, after being defeated by them the previous season. Sanders struggled against the Packers and recorded what is viewed as the worst game of his career, having 13 attempts for -1 rushing yards. Six out of his 13 attempts recorded negative yardage, and the Lions as a team were held to only -4 rushing yards in the game, losing 12–16.[82][74][83]

Playoff disappointments (1995–1996)[edit]

On September 3, 1995, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sanders recorded 21 rushing attempts for 108 yards in the 20–23 loss.[84] In the game, Steelers cornerback Rod Woodson tore his ACL when attempting to tackle Sanders.[85] Against the San Francisco 49ers, Sanders had a down game, recording 17 attempts for only 24 yards in the 27–24 victory.[84] Against the Cleveland Browns, Sanders improved for 157 yards off of 18 attempts and three touchdowns, including a 75-yard touchdown run, in the 38–20 victory.[84] Sanders finished with 314 attempts for 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns. For his season, Sanders was selected to Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro team.[1] The Lions posted a 10–6 record after winning their final seven games,[86] and clinched a wild card spot.[55] The Lions faced the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card Round. In the game, Sanders had ten attempts for 40 yards as the Lions' rushing game was stuffed by the Eagles' defense. The Lions' defense was likewise overwhelmed by the Eagles' offense and faced a 44-point deficit in the third quarter 7–51, eventually losing the game 37–58; despite the victory being "guaranteed" by teammate Lomas Brown.[84][87] At the time, this was the highest-scoring postseason game in NFL history, with 95 total points scored. This record was bested by one point in the 51–45 victory by the Arizona Cardinals in 2009.[88]

On September 1, 1996, against the Minnesota Vikings, Sanders recorded 24 rushing attempts for 163 rushing yards in the 13–17 loss.[89] Against the Oakland Raiders, Sanders had nine attempts for only 36 yards in the 21–37 loss.[89] Against the Green Bay Packers, Sanders had 20 attempts for 152 yards and a touchdown in the 18–28 loss.[89] In Week 12, Sanders had 16 attempts for 134 yards and a touchdown in the 17–16 victory.[89][90] In a 14–31 loss against the Chicago Bears, Sanders had 21 attempts for 107 yards and a touchdown.[89] Sanders had 20 attempts for 134 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings, but a missed two-point conversion attempt after Sanders' touchdown resulted in the Lions losing 22–24.[91] In the final game of the season, he recorded 28 attempts for 175 yards in a 14–24 loss against the San Francisco 49ers.[89] Overall, Sanders finished the regular-season first in the league in rushing yards with 1,553 rushing yards off of 307 attempts. He scored 11 rushing touchdowns, and had 97.1 rushing yards per game, which was first in the league.[92] At this point in his career, Sanders had 11,725 career rushing yards, seventh all-time, and ranked eighth all-time in career rushing touchdowns, with 84.[93][94][95] The Lions regressed, posting a 5–11 record, and failed to make the postseason after three straight playoff seasons from 1993 to 1995; though Sanders still made the Pro Bowl and Second-team All-Pro team.[1][55]

2,000-yard club, MVP and final season (1997–1998)[edit]

Before the start of the 1997 season, Lions head coach Wayne Fontes was fired, and replaced by Bobby Ross; Sanders was saddened by Fontes' firing, believing he deserved another chance at coaching the team.[96] Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sanders struggled, having 10 attempts for only 20 yards, while recording 102 receiving yards in the 24–17 loss.[97] Sanders rushed for 215 yards off of 24 attempts and two touchdowns, in a later game against the Buccaneers, passing Jim Brown to be the fourth-ranked career rushing leader in NFL history, with 12,513 career rushing yards; while catching a seven-yard touchdown pass.[97][98] The Lions won 27–9. Against the Indianapolis Colts, Sanders had another great performance, recording 24 attempts for 216 yards and two touchdowns (including one of 80 yards), in the 32–10 victory.[97] With the win, Sanders became the first running back to have ten consecutive games with 100 yards rushing in a season, and became the first running back to have three touchdowns of 80+ yards in a season.[99] On November 27, 1997, against the Chicago Bears, Sanders had 19 attempts for 167 yards and three touchdowns as the Lions dominated and won 55–20; passing Eric Dickerson to become the second-ranked rushing leader behind Walter Payton[97][100] Sanders needed at least 131 rushing yards against the New York Jets to reach 2,000 for the season, playing them on December 21, 1997.[101][97] Sanders reached the 2,000 mark on a two-yard run; finishing the game with 23 attempts for 184 yards and a touchdown; helping the Lions edge the Jets 13–10.[97][102] Sanders had a season that's considered among the greatest ever by a running back.[103] He recorded 2,053 rushing yards, which was first in the league that season; off of 335 attempts, and 11 touchdowns, becoming just the third running back in history to reach 2,000 rushing yards in a season. For his accomplishments, he credited his offensive linemen, stating: "Without them, I wouldn't have run far at all."[104] Sanders had 100+ yards in the season's final 14 games, an NFL record.[1] With 2,358 total scrimmage yards, he broke the single-season record for scrimmage yards that was held by Marcus Allen; the record was broken two seasons later by Marshall Faulk, and again by Chris Johnson in 2009.[105] Sanders was named to the Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro team, and awarded the Bert Bell Award. Sanders was awarded his second career NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award, and the NFL Most Valuable Player (co-won with Brett Favre).[1] The Lions posted a 9–7 record and clinched a wild card spot as the No. 5 seed in the NFC.[55] Sanders and the Lions faced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who were playing their first home postseason game in 18 years.[106] Sanders had 18 attempts for 65 yards as the Lions lost 10–20, after quarterback Scott Mitchell left the game with an injury in the third quarter.[107]

The New York Jets logo (1978-1997). Sanders surpassed 2,000 yards in a season against the Jets in 1997.

On September 13, 1998, against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sanders recorded 185 rushing yards off of 26 rushing attempts and three touchdowns in the 28–34 overtime loss.[108] Sanders had 22 attempts for 69 yards in a 6–29 loss against the Minnesota Vikings.[108] On November 26, 1998, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sanders had a down game, with 20 attempts for only 33 rushing yards, the Lions were still victorious 19–16 in overtime.[108] Against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sanders had 18 attempts for 102 yards in the 22–37 loss.[108] In Sanders' final game of his career, on December 27, 1998, he had 19 attempts for 41 yards in a 10–19 loss against the Baltimore Ravens.[108] Sanders capped off his final season with 1,491 rushing yards (fourth in the league), off of a career-high 343 attempts (fifth in the league), and four touchdowns.[108] He was nine yards short of completing five straight seasons with at least 1,500 rushing yards. He was selected to his tenth Pro Bowl, and to the Second-team All-Pro.[1] But the Lions struggled, posting a 5–11 record, and failed to make the postseason.[55]

Retirement[edit]

Sanders in 2005

On July 27, 1999, Sanders announced his retirement from pro football, on the day before Lions training camp was set to start. His retirement was made public by faxing a letter to The Wichita Eagle: his hometown newspaper.[16] In the letter, Sanders wrote:[109]

"Shortly after the end of last season, I felt that I probably would not return for the 1999–2000 season. I also felt that I should take as much time as possible to sort through my feelings and make sure that my feelings were back with conviction. Today, I officially declare my departure from the NFL."

He left football healthy, having gained 15,269 rushing yards (the most ever by any NFL player in a 10-year span).[1] He retired within 1,457 rushing yards of Walter Payton's career rushing mark of 16,726 yards. It has been speculated that Sanders would have surpassed the record if he hadn't retired early, a view held by Emmitt Smith, the eventual holder of the record.[110][16] His father praised him for his decision, saying that it "took guts."[16] Sanders took time in his decision, waiting "till the last minute."[16]

Sanders' retirement came somewhat unexpectedly and was a matter of controversy. Two years earlier, Sanders had renewed his contract with the Lions for $34.56 million over six years with an $11 million signing bonus. The Lions demanded that he return $5.5 million of the bonus. Sanders refused, and the Lions sued. On February 15, 2000, an arbitrator ruled that Sanders had to immediately repay $1,833,333.33 (a sixth of the bonus), with the remaining bonus to be repaid over each of the three years Sanders had left on the contract provided he stayed retired. Before the ruling, Sanders offered to pay back the entire $5.5 million in return for his release from the team. The Lions refused, stating they would welcome Sanders back to the team; otherwise, and honored his announced retirement. Sanders' agent Lamont Smith lobbied the team to trade his client.[111]

It was thought by some that Lions head coach Bobby Ross himself may have actually been the reason for Sanders' early retirement, but in his autobiography Barry Sanders: Now You See Him, Sanders praised Ross as a head coach who had nothing directly to do with his retirement. It was more his frustration with the management and direction of the Lions, and the resulting lack of success that likely contributed to his retirement, as Sanders revealed in his autobiography: "My retirement letter didn't even hint at my frustration, because I didn't want to take shots at people as I left ... Management had let quality players slip away. We'd been losing for years. Now we were right back where we were when I arrived." He wrote: "A goal that I still hadn't realized was playing in the Super Bowl, and all of the statistical achievements didn't put the team any closer to playing in the big game."[111]

Sanders has since patched things up with the Lions and appeared, in an unofficial capacity, at Lions events. In 2017, he rejoined the Lions in a paid role as the team's ambassador.[112]

NFL career statistics[edit]

Legend
NFL MVP and OPOTY
NFL Offensive Player of the Year
Led the league
Bold Career high

regular-season[edit]

NFL statistics
Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Att Yards Avg Y/G Lng TD FD Rec Yards Avg Lng TD FD Fum Lost
1989 DET 15 13 280 1,470 5.3 98.0 34 14 0 24 282 11.8 46 0 0 10 0
1990 DET 16 16 255 1,304 5.1 81.5 45 13 0 36 480 13.3 47 3 0 4 2
1991 DET 15 15 342 1,548 4.5 103.2 69 16 91 41 307 7.5 34 1 18 5 1
1992 DET 16 16 312 1,352 4.3 84.5 55 9 68 29 225 7.8 48 1 7 6 2
1993 DET 11 11 243 1,115 4.6 101.4 42 3 46 36 205 5.7 17 0 6 4 3
1994 DET 16 16 331 1,883 5.7 117.7 85 7 72 44 283 6.4 22 1 16 0 0
1995 DET 16 16 314 1,500 4.8 93.8 75 11 70 48 398 8.3 40 1 18 4 2
1996 DET 16 16 307 1,553 5.1 97.1 54 11 79 24 147 6.1 28 0 5 4 2
1997 DET 16 16 335 2,053 6.1 128.3 82 11 85 33 305 9.2 66 3 11 4 2
1998 DET 16 16 343 1,491 4.3 93.2 73 4 63 37 289 7.8 44 0 10 3 1
Career 153 151 3,062 15,269 5.0 99.8 85 99 574 352 2,921 8.3 66 10 91 44 15

Postseason[edit]

NFL statistics
Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Att Yards Avg Y/G Lng TD FD Rec Yards Avg Lng TD FD Fum Lost
1991 DET 2 2 23 113 4.5 56.5 47 1 0 9 45 5.0 10 0 0 0 0
1993 DET 1 1 27 169 4.6 169.0 44 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1994 DET 1 1 13 -1 5.7 -1.0 7 0 0 3 4 1.3 3 0 0 0 0
1995 DET 1 1 10 40 4.8 40.0 9 0 2 2 19 9.5 11 0 1 1 1
1997 DET 1 1 18 65 6.1 65.0 15 0 3 5 43 8.6 15 0 2 0 0
Career 153 151 3,062 15,269 5.0 99.8 85 99 574 352 2,921 8.3 66 10 91 44 15

NFL records[edit]

Over Sanders' career, he currently holds the following records:[113]

  • Most seasons with 1,100 or more yards rushing (10) tied with Walter Payton[114]
  • Most seasons with 1,300 or more yards rushing (9) tied with Walter Payton[115]
  • Most seasons with 1,400 or more yards rushing (7)[116]
  • Most seasons with 1,500 or more yards rushing (5)[117]
  • Most consecutive games with 100 or more yards rushing (14)
  • Most games with 100 or more yards rushing in a season (14).
  • Most 120+ rushing games (51)[118]
  • Most 150+ rushing games (25)[119]
  • Most 150+ scrimmage yard games (46)[120]
  • First running back to have two touchdown runs of 80+ yards in a game[98]

Awards and honors[edit]

NFL[edit]

Legacy[edit]

Sanders is widely regarded as one of the greatest running backs in the history of the NFL, being ranked No. 4 by Bleacher Report and in the top ten by other media outlets.[121][122] When he retired, Sanders was ranked second all-time in career rushing yards with 15,269 rushing yards, sixth all-time in career rushing touchdowns with 99 rushing touchdowns, and second all-time in career rushing attempts with 3,062 attempts. As of 2022, Sanders is still ranked in the top ten in all three statistics.[123][124][125] Over his entire career, Sanders averaged 1,527 rushing yards per season, and 99.8 rushing yards per game, second to Jim Brown.[1][126] He never went below 1,000 yards in any of his ten seasons and has the second-most career 1,000-yard rushing seasons, with ten.[127][1] Sanders was a notable bright spot on a Lions franchise that had endured years of unsuccessful play, helping to lead the team to their first playoff victory in decades.[128] At the same time, Sanders only won one playoff game throughout his ten-year career, with NFL Network's Derrin Horton stating: "Not even Barry Sanders... could pull Detroit out of the playoff snakebit," in reference to the team's postseason failures.[87] The Lions' overall unsuccessful play was noted for possibly being a reason for Sanders' early retirement.[111]

Sanders' Hall of Fame bust in Canton, Ohio.

Throughout his career, he achieved Pro Bowl and All-Pro status in all ten of his NFL seasons.[1] Sanders was named First-team All-Pro six times; and named Second-team All-Pro four times. Sanders was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 1994 and 1997, awarded two Bert Bell Awards, and was named to the 1990s NFL All-Decade team. Both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame inducted him in 2004 and 2005, respectively.[129][130] In 2019, Sanders was named to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.[131] In 2007, he was ranked by NFL Network's NFL Top 10 series as the most elusive runner in NFL history, and in 2012 was placed No. 1 on their list of the greatest players never to play in a Super Bowl.[132][133]

Sanders led the NFL in rushing yards four times (second to Brown), and in rushing touchdowns once in 1994. He co-won the NFL Most Valuable Player Award in 1997 (with Brett Farve), after rushing for 2,053 yards in 16 games, becoming the third running back to surpass 2,000 yards. In the same season, Sanders totaled a record 2,358 yards from scrimmage, later surpassed by both Marshall Faulk and Chris Johnson. By the end of his career, Sanders was known as "one of the game's most electrifying runners", as described by the Pro Football Hall of Fame; a view held by Sports Illustrated: describing him as "running circles around NFL defenses with an electrifying style unlike anything the league has seen."[134][130] His rookie season in 1989 is one of the best all-time, ranked No. 3 by NFL analyst Elliot Harrison, and No 4. by ESPN analyst Jeff Merron.[135][136] In 1999, an ESPN survey of journalists, athletes, and other sports figures ranked Sanders as the 76th greatest North American athlete of the 20th-century.[137]

Although he sat behind fellow Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas for his first two collegiate seasons, Sanders is considered one of the greatest college football players of all time. His Heisman trophy-winning season in 1988, in which he set single-season college football records for most rushing yards gained, touchdowns scored, total scrimmage yards among other records, is often considered the greatest individual college football season ever; ranked No. 1 by ESPN and Sporting News.[26][27][138] In commemoration of 150 years of college football, Sanders was honored during halftime at the CFP National Championship game on January 13, 2020, as the No. 9 player of all time.[139]

In contrast to many of the star players of his era, Sanders was noted for his on-field humility.[140] Despite his flashy playing style, Sanders was rarely seen celebrating after the whistle was blown; instead, he handed the ball to a referee, and was never tempted into celebrating any further.[141] He was recognized for putting his teams' success over his stats, as shown when he denied a request from head coach Wayne Fontes to return to play in a game so that he could gain enough rushing yards to become the rushing leader for that season.[47] He disliked speaking to the press, and rarely spoke about his accomplishments publicly.[16] When reflecting on his career, ESPN described Sanders as a "humble superstar."[142]

Personal life[edit]

Sanders is a devout Christian.[143] He and his former wife Lauren Campbell Sanders, a former news anchor for WDIV in Detroit, filed for divorce in February 2012 after 12 years of marriage.[144][145] Sanders' brother, Byron, was the starting running back at Northwestern University and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 1989 NFL Draft. Byron was cut by the Bears two months after joining the team.[146]

Sanders has four sons; the youngest three are from his marriage to Lauren Campbell.[147] Sanders' oldest son, Barry J. Sanders, played running back for Stanford University from 2012 to 2015, and at Oklahoma State University in 2016, after a highly successful high school career.[148][149] Barry ran for 742 yards and twelve touchdowns while helping Heritage Hall School to the 2008 Oklahoma 2A state title, and he was the only sophomore on the 2009 Tulsa World all-state team.[150][151] In 2003, he co-wrote his autobiography, Barry Sanders: Now You See Him: His Story In His Own Words, with McCormick.[152] He has reportedly donated to several charities, under the condition that they do not disclose his participation in any of them.[13]

Sanders introduced ESPN's Monday Night Football game between the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions on October 10, 2011.[153] In April 2013, Sanders made it to the finals in the EA Sports Madden NFL 25 cover vote by beating Ron Rivera in Round One, Marcus Allen in Round Two, Ray Lewis in Round Three, Joe Montana in the quarter-finals, and Jerry Rice in the semi-finals. He beat Adrian Peterson to become the next cover athlete, the 1st player to appear on the cover of Madden NFL Football more than once (he appeared in the background of the Madden NFL 2000 cover).[154][155]

In 2020, singer Garth Brooks garnished a No. 20 Sanders jersey in an Instagram post, later wearing it at a concert. The jersey was mistaken by Brooks' fans as an endorsement for Bernie Sanders, at the time running for president.[156]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

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Works cited[edit]

External links[edit]

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