A Look Back At The Detroit Lions Legends Barry Sanders (1989-1998)

Presented By: Rocked On Podcast Network YouTube Channel & Rocked On Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions Running Back Of The Century

Barry Sanders is widely considered one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. His incredible athletic ability over 10 NFL seasons was on display each and every Sunday where Sanders lit up the field, made defenders look silly and was the reason why highlight reels began. His career with the Detroit Lions was nothing short of spectacular.

In the new series of Lions Legends, by Rocked On Sports Media, we dive into Sanders’ early life and illustrious career in Detroit. We will show you a glimpse of the man on the field and off the field, his impressive stats, and the awards earned throughout his time in the NFL.

Early Career

Sanders played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. In addition to Sanders coming aboard in 1986, OSU also had Thurman Thomas entering his junior season. During Sanders’ freshman year, he didn’t get a lot of playing time as Thomas was the lead back. Sanders didn’t see action in eight games that season finishing with only 325 yards, two touchdowns and averaged 23.7 yards per return as the kick returner. In 1987, Sanders was still stuck behind Thomas, but seen much more time on the field playing in 11 games, rushing 105 times for 603 yards and nine scores.

Finally, as a junior In 1988, Sanders is the starter for OSU, and did he ever prove to everyone why the head coach of Oklahoma Barry Switzer was so afraid of facing Sanders if Thomas ever went down in seasons past. Sanders had arguably the greatest individual season in college football history. In 11 games he rushed for 2,628 yards, 37 touchdowns and won the Heisman Trophy.

A Legend Lands In Motor City

Barry Sanders was drafted by the Detroit Lions with the 3rd overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft. He quickly established himself as one of the most electrifying players in the league taking his first NFL carry for 18 yards at the Pontiac Silverdome. Finishing his rookie season with 1,470 yards breaking the Lions single season rushing record. Not one person ever knew or imagined this was just the beginning. Sanders never looked back, quickly becoming one of the most dominant running backs of ALL time.

The most impressive feat of his remarkable career, however, came in 1997, when he rushed for a league-best 2,053 yards. Added another 305 yards on 33 catches and finished with 2,358 combined yards. Throughout his 10-year career, Sanders rushed for over 1,000 yards in each season and selected to the Pro Bowl 10 seasons straight.

Sanders was dynamic, quick, twitchy and ran with low pad level. He shifted gears quickly to top speed with the ability to stop on a dime, making his jump cuts, spin moves and directional changes so mesmerizing, defenders were often left mouths wide open just watching as they knew they could not stop him. It was like watching the defense catch flies with chop sticks or grasping at ghosts as Sanders simply made everyone miss and look silly. He rarely, if ever, went down from one defender often taking 2 or 3 with him and several missing every time he touched the ball.

Stats

Barry Sanders’ stats are simply overwhelming and too many too list. Look below for the full spectrum of just how amazing Sanders career really was. He finished his career with 15,269 rushing yards and 99 touchdowns, which ranks him as the fourth all-time leading rusher in NFL history at the time of publishing this piece. Sanders’ career average of 99.8 rushing yards per game is the 2nd highest in NFL history next to Jim Brown. He was also a threat as a receiver, finishing his career with 352 receptions for 2,921 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Sanders | The Brand Ambassador

After two decades from his abrupt departure and retirement from football. The legendary running back and Pro Football Hall of Famer Barry Sanders has returned to the Motor City as the new “Brand Ambassador” for the Lions, since 2018. It was not always easy for Sanders after he left the team, often times fans were not as kind immediately after he retired holding on to a grudge.

Those days are now long gone as Barry is beloved by the fans, welcomed with standing ovations and lots of cheers inside of Ford Field. The hall of famer is beloved by the Detroit Lions organization, who has plans to erect a statue of Barry Sanders in 2024.

Barry may not be in an official football role or front office role for the team, but his being in the building and the front man for the Detroit Lions is just as valuable. His role is more defined as marketing for the Detroit Lions, where he is included and attends a lot of fan driven events, alumni games, community outreach events, suite appearances, the Taste of the Lions event and travels with the team often. Sanders is the unofficial official spokesperson for the Lions organization.

“It’s definitely nice to be back after the first few years of being retired and there not being much communication,” Sanders said in an interview with The Associated Press. “So, certainly just being able to be involved with certain things that the team is doing from a community outreach standpoint and that sort of thing, for me, it’s great.” “Just being able to be around the game a little more and certainly around the Lions family a little more for me is meaningful so I do appreciate that.”

Awards

Barry Sanders’ dominance on the field was recognized by the NFL and its fans. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in every one of his 10 NFL seasons and was a four-time First-Team All-Pro selection. In 1997, he was awarded the NFL Most Valuable Player award after rushing for over 2,000 yards in a single season. Sanders was also inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004, cementing his place as one of the greatest players in NFL history.

In conclusion, Barry Sanders’ career with the Detroit Lions was nothing short of remarkable. His impressive stats and numerous awards are a testament to his talent and dedication to the sport of football. Sanders’ contributions to the NFL will always be remembered and he will forever hold a place in the hearts of Lions fans as one of the greatest players to ever wear the Detroit uniform. Despite his brief career, Sanders’ impact on the game of football will be felt for generations to come.

Career Highlights & Awards

• NFL Most Valuable Player (1997)
• 2× NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1994, 1997)
• NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (1989)
• 6× First-team All-Pro (1989–1991, 1994, 1995, 1997)
• 4× Second-team All-Pro (1992, 1993, 1996, 1998)
• 10× Pro Bowl (1989–1998)
• 4× NFL rushing yards leader (1990, 1994, 1996, 1997)
• NFL rushing touchdowns leader (1991)
• NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
• NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
• PFWA All-Rookie Team (1989)
• 2× Bert Bell Award (1991, 1997)
• Pride of the Lions
• Detroit Lions 75th Anniversary Team
• Detroit Lions All-Time Team
• Detroit Lions No. 20 retired
• Heisman Trophy (1988)
• Maxwell Award (1988)
• Walter Camp Award (1988)
• Big Eight Offensive Player of the Year (1988)
• Unanimous All-American (1988)
• Second-team All-American (1987)
• First-team All-Big Eight (1988)
• Oklahoma State Cowboys Ring of Honor

Career NFL statistics

• Receptions | 352
• Receiving Yards | 2,921
• Receiving TD’s| 10
• Rushing Yards | 15,269
• Rushing Touchdowns | 99
• yards Per Carry | 5.0