Elusiveness is the best way to describe Barry Sanders when he ran the football. During his ten NFL seasons with the Detroit Lions, Sanders probably caused more missed tackles than any running back in history. His powerful legs, superb balance, low center of gravity and lightning reflexes enabled him to stop on a dime, change directions in an instant and leave defenders grasping at air.
In 1997 Sanders ran for 2,053 yards, joining O.J. Simpson and Eric Dickerson as the only players in NFL history to surpass the 2,000 yard rushing mark in a single season. His accomplishment was recognized when he was named the NFL's Most Valuable player along with Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre.
Despite his individual feats and all the well deserved accolades he received, a Super Bowl championship proved elusive to him. In 1991, the 12-4 Detroit Lions defeated the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional playoffs, but lost in the NFC Championship Game to the Washington Redskins. After that the Lions would lose their four other playoff appearances during his tenure.
Perhaps this lack of overall team success contributed to Sanders' stunning announcement after the 1998 season, when he said that he would not return to football. In that, his final year, he had rushed for 1,491 yards, proving that he was still at or near the peak of his powers. Whatever his reasons, Sanders decided to move on and his loss was felt by millions of fans around the world.
In just ten years in the NFL, Sanders gained 15,269 rushing yards, 2,921 receiving yards, 118 kickoff return yards and 109 touchdowns (99 rushing, 10 receiving). He retired less than 1,500 yards short of Walter Payton's then-record career total of 16,726 yards rushing. He remains third on the all-time rushing list behind only Payton and current leader, Emmitt Smith. Sanders also ranks fourth on the all-time list for career total yards from scrimmage with 18,190.
He was the first player to gain 1,500 yards or more in five seasons and is the only one to do so in four consecutive seasons, 1994-97. Sanders rushed for an NFL record 15 touchdowns of 50 yards or more and he finished with an NFL record 25 games in which he gained 150 yards or more. Sanders had 14 consecutive 100-yard rushing games in 1997 and ran the ball a remarkable 803 times without a fumble. He also led the league in rushing four times, 1990, 1994, 1996, and 1997. If you like Sports Betting, looking into these kinds of stats on current players is important.
It's also worth noting that Sanders was named to the Pro Bowl every year he was in the league and was voted first-team All-Pro eight times. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August of 2004 and later that year, on Thanksgiving Day, the Detroit Lions retired his number, 20. It's clear to NFL fans everywhere that there would never be another Barry Sanders.
In 1997 Sanders ran for 2,053 yards, joining O.J. Simpson and Eric Dickerson as the only players in NFL history to surpass the 2,000 yard rushing mark in a single season. His accomplishment was recognized when he was named the NFL's Most Valuable player along with Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre.
Despite his individual feats and all the well deserved accolades he received, a Super Bowl championship proved elusive to him. In 1991, the 12-4 Detroit Lions defeated the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional playoffs, but lost in the NFC Championship Game to the Washington Redskins. After that the Lions would lose their four other playoff appearances during his tenure.
Perhaps this lack of overall team success contributed to Sanders' stunning announcement after the 1998 season, when he said that he would not return to football. In that, his final year, he had rushed for 1,491 yards, proving that he was still at or near the peak of his powers. Whatever his reasons, Sanders decided to move on and his loss was felt by millions of fans around the world.
In just ten years in the NFL, Sanders gained 15,269 rushing yards, 2,921 receiving yards, 118 kickoff return yards and 109 touchdowns (99 rushing, 10 receiving). He retired less than 1,500 yards short of Walter Payton's then-record career total of 16,726 yards rushing. He remains third on the all-time rushing list behind only Payton and current leader, Emmitt Smith. Sanders also ranks fourth on the all-time list for career total yards from scrimmage with 18,190.
He was the first player to gain 1,500 yards or more in five seasons and is the only one to do so in four consecutive seasons, 1994-97. Sanders rushed for an NFL record 15 touchdowns of 50 yards or more and he finished with an NFL record 25 games in which he gained 150 yards or more. Sanders had 14 consecutive 100-yard rushing games in 1997 and ran the ball a remarkable 803 times without a fumble. He also led the league in rushing four times, 1990, 1994, 1996, and 1997. If you like Sports Betting, looking into these kinds of stats on current players is important.
It's also worth noting that Sanders was named to the Pro Bowl every year he was in the league and was voted first-team All-Pro eight times. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August of 2004 and later that year, on Thanksgiving Day, the Detroit Lions retired his number, 20. It's clear to NFL fans everywhere that there would never be another Barry Sanders.
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