Barry Sanders

The most elusive runner in NFL history.

via Wikipedia: Barry Sanders · see source

Barry David Sanders (born July 16, 1968) is an American former professional football running back who played for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons. Sanders led the league in rushing yards four times and in rushing touchdowns once. Standing at 5 ft. 8 in. tall and weighing 200 lbs., he established himself as one of the most elusive runners in the history of the NFL with his quickness and agility. Sanders is widely considered to be one of the greatest running backs of all time. He played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Quick Facts

Position: Running back
Born: 16 July 1968
Birthplace: Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
Draft year: 1989
Draft round: 1
Draft pick: 3
High school: Wichita North
College: Oklahoma State (1986–1988)

Lore & Background

Sanders was born on July 16, 1968, in Wichita, Kansas, the seventh of eleven children to William and Shirley Sanders. His father worked as a roofer and carpenter, while his mother worked as a homemaker. Sanders and two of his brothers worked as roofers' assistants to his father. As a child, Sanders was known for having an appetite, being able to eat an entire loaf of bread in one sitting. He played football at Wichita North High School, where he played defensive back for most of his high school career and did not become the starting running back until the fourth game of his senior year. He rushed for 1,417 yards on 139 rushing attempts, averaging 10.2 yards per attempt, and scored 17 touchdowns in his seven-game senior season. Sanders received scholarship offers from Wichita State University, Iowa State University, University of Tulsa, and Oklahoma State University; he accepted the offer from Oklahoma State. In college, he backed up Thurman Thomas for his first two years before becoming the starter in 1988. In 1988, he rushed for a record 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns in 11 games, was awarded the Heisman Trophy, and was unanimously recognized as an All-American. Sanders was selected by the Lions in the 1989 NFL draft, winning the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. In 1991, he helped lead the Lions to their first postseason win since 1958. In 1994, he was awarded the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award. In 1997, he rushed for 2,053 yards and was co-awarded the NFL Most Valuable Player Award (shared with Brett Favre), alongside his second NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award. He unexpectedly retired in 1999 at age 31, 1,457 yards short of breaking the NFL's then all-time rushing record held by Walter Payton. He finished his career with 15,269 rushing yards and 99 rushing touchdowns; in each of his ten seasons he was selected to a Pro Bowl and All-Pro team. The Lions retired his No. 20 jersey on November 25, 2004, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame three months prior. A year later, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame with former college teammate Thurman Thomas.

Reader's Guide

Sanders is widely considered one of the greatest running backs of all time. He averaged 1,527 rushing yards per season and just under 100 rushing yards per game (99.8). In 2007, he was ranked by NFL Networks' 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. Bleacher Report ranked Sanders No. 1 on their list of greatest running backs in NFL history.

Did You Know?

Sanders led the nation in yards per kickoff return (31.6) in 1987.
In 1988, Sanders set college football season records with 2,628 yards rushing, 3,250 total all-purpose yards, 234 points, 37 rushing touchdowns, and 39 total touchdowns.
Sanders was the first player to open two consecutive seasons with a 100-yard kickoff return.
Sports Illustrated named his 1988 season as the third-most impressive college sports feat of all time.