Barry Sanders is one of the most prolific running backs in NFL history. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1989 and went on to have an illustrious 10-year career with the team. Sanders was a Pro Bowl selection in each of his 10 seasons and was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1997. He retired from the NFL in 1999 after amassing over 15,000 career rushing yards.
Sanders’ impact on the game of football is undeniable. He was a revolutionary player who changed the way running backs were used in the NFL. His combination of speed, quickness, and elusiveness was unmatched by any other player in his era. Sanders was also an excellent receiver out of the backfield, catching 317 passes for 2,921 yards and 10 touchdowns in his career.
Table of Contents:
1. Biography
2. NFL Career
3. Off the Field
4. Barry Sanders Quotes
- Biography
Barry Sanders was born in Wichita, Kansas on July 16, 1968. He was the youngest of three children and grew up in a middle-class neighborhood. His father, William, was a successful businessman and his mother, Shirley, was a stay-at-home mom.
Sanders’ interest in football began at an early age. He would often watch NFL games with his father and dream of one day playing in the league. Sanders’ older brothers, Byron and Lance, both played football in high school and college, but neither had the same level of success as Barry.
Sanders attended Wichita North High School, where he played running back and defensive back. He was a two-time All-State selection and was named the Kansas Player of the Year as a senior. Sanders was also an excellent track athlete, winning the state championship in the 100-meter dash as a junior.
Sanders’ stellar high school career led to him being heavily recruited by colleges all over the country. He ultimately chose to attend Oklahoma State University, where he played for head coach Pat Jones.
Sanders had an immediate impact on the Oklahoma State program. He was named a Freshman All-American after rushing for 1,232 yards and 12 touchdowns. Sanders went on to have three more successful seasons with the Cowboys, earning All-American honors in each of them. He finished his collegiate career with 5,038 rushing yards and 46 touchdowns.
Sanders decided to forgo his senior season and enter the 1989 NFL Draft. He was selected with the third overall pick by the Detroit Lions.
- NFL Career
Sanders’ rookie season was a success, as he rushed for 1,470 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and was selected for the Pro Bowl. Sanders’ production dipped slightly in his second season, but he still rushed for over 1,300 yards.
The Lions struggled as a team during Sanders’ first few years in the league, but they began to turn things around in 1991. That season, Sanders rushed for a career-high 1,548 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Lions made the playoffs for the first time since 1983, but they were quickly dispatched by the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round.
The Lions continued to be a playoff team throughout the rest of Sanders’ career. They made it to the NFC Championship game in 1991, but lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Washington Redskins. Sanders had another excellent season in 1993, rushing for 1,483 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was once again named to the Pro Bowl and was named a First-Team All-Pro.
The Lions made the playoffs in 1994, but they were once again defeated in the Wild Card round. Sanders had another strong season, rushing for 1,353 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was named to the Pro Bowl for the sixth consecutive year.
The Lions finally broke through and made it to the Super Bowl in 1995, but they were no match for the Steve Young-led San Francisco 49ers. Sanders had a solid game, rushing for 55 yards and a touchdown, but it wasn’t enough as the Lions lost by a score of 38-28.
The Lions made the playoffs again in 1997, but they were once again defeated in the Wild Card round. This time, it was Sanders’ performance that was lacking, as he rushed for just 1,053 yards and six touchdowns. He was still named to the Pro Bowl, but it was clear that Sanders was no longer the dominant player he once was.
Sanders rebounded in a big way in 1998, rushing for 1,491 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player and was once again selected to the Pro Bowl. The Lions made the playoffs, but they were once again defeated in the Wild Card round.
Sanders announced his retirement from the NFL in 1999. He finished his career with 15,269 rushing yards and 99 touchdowns. Sanders was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.
- Off the Field
Sanders was known as a quiet and humble man. He was never one to seek out the spotlight and preferred to let his play on the field do the talking. Sanders was also an excellent role model for young people. He was never involved in any off-field controversies and was a devoted family man.
Sanders was active in the community during his playing days. He was a frequent guest at schools and hospitals, and he also started the Barry Sanders Foundation. The foundation was dedicated to helping underprivileged children in Sanders’ hometown of Wichita.
Sanders has also had a successful post-playing career. He has worked as an analyst for NFL Network and ESPN. Sanders has also written a bestselling autobiography and has made numerous appearances on television and in film.
Barry Sanders Quotes On Football
“Happiness does not come from football awards. It’s terrible to correlate happiness with football. Happiness comes from a good job, being able to feed your wife and kids.” – Barry Sanders
“I want to thank all of the fans and media who made playing in the NFL such a wonderful experience. I have had the pleasure of meeting many of them.” – Barry Sanders
“I wish my teammates, coaches, and the entire Lions organization all the best.” – Barry Sanders
“I quit because I didn’t feel like the Detroit Lions had a chance to win. It just killed my enjoyment of the game.” – Barry Sanders
“You can look at everything from pre-Heisman to post-Heisman, and I think that’s why it ranks up at the top because before then, I didn’t even think I was good enough to be a professional ballplayer.” – Barry Sanders
“Life doesn’t stop with football.” – Barry Sanders
“As a kid, I played my share of football in the street or in a vacant lot. When we were playing in the street, it was more touch football, so we didn’t hit each other into cars.” – Barry Sanders
“It was a wonderful experience to play in the NFL, and I have no regrets. I truly will miss playing for the Lions.” – Barry Sanders
“After I won the Heisman, that’s when things changed as far as going to the NFL.” – Barry Sanders
“If I could start with anybody, I would initially draft Tom Brady. Then I would go get Ray Lewis, and then maybe an offensive lineman, or somebody like Adrian Peterson .” – Barry Sanders
“Shortly after the end of last season, I felt that I probably would not return for the 1999-2000 season.” – Barry Sanders
“I also felt that I should take as much time as possible to sort through my feelings and make sure that my feelings were backed with conviction.” – Barry Sanders
“Running back was always my favorite position.” – Barry Sanders
Barry Sanders Quotes On Success
“I’m not better than anyone else. I’m not supposed to be on a pedestal. I’ve always stayed away from that.” – Barry Sanders
“I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do in school, but I definitely didn’t have adequate time to reach my full potential as a student.” – Barry Sanders
‘I don’t know the right way to retire.” – Barry Sanders
“I leave on good terms with everyone in the organization.” – Barry Sanders
“If you’re a good size and a good athlete, you can be whatever type of runner you want.” – Barry Sanders
“We let fears stand in the way of our hopes. We say no when we want to say yes. We sit quietly when we want to scream. And we shout with the others when we should keep our mouths shut.”
Barry Sanders Quotes On Happiness
“I don’t dream football, I dream the American dream – two cars in a garage, be a happy father.” – Barry Sanders
“A lot of times I did lose yards on a run, but it wasn’t for lack of trying.” – Barry Sanders
“The reason for football is not to be the best but to be the best team.” – Barry Sanders
“Nothing ever turns out the way people expect it to.” – Barry Sanders
“I just felt like I had run out of steam. I just felt like it was my time.” – Barry Sanders
“My desire to exit the game is greater than my desire to remain in it. I have searched my heart through and through and feel comfortable with this decision.” – Barry Sanders
“In all the time that people have known me, has anyone ever heard me talk about the importance of rushing records or finishing with the most touchdowns? So if that’s never been important to me, then why would that be a motivation to keep playing?” – Barry Sanders
“I really love peace and quiet.” – Barry Sanders
‘I’m a Jewish boy from Jersey. I was born with a strong sense of right and wrong, and a strong sense that the world can be a ludicrous, unfair, inhumane place.” – Barry Sanders
“Too often we are scared. Scared of what we might not be able to do. Scared of what people might think if we tried.” – Barry Sanders
“See God gave us the talent, but the devil makes us famous.” – Barry Sanders
“Why? After all, we do only go around once. There’s really no time to be afraid. JUST DO IT.” – Barry Sanders
Barry Sanders Quotes On Life
“Christianity affects your whole life. I was always successful on the field, but now I’m successful off the field too.” – Barry Sanders
“Anyone who has played the game professionally, you’re always taught that the ball is the most important, most precious thing, so when the ball hits the ground, it’s always a mad scramble.” – Barry Sanders
“But at the same time, in this game, you never know. You never know how things are gonna shape up or end. It’s just that kind of game.” – Barry Sanders
“Don’t be scared to make mistakes. In life, you’re going to make some mistakes. Even if you wanted to stay in bed all day and avoid the whole world, that’s not the answer.” – Barry Sanders
“I don’t want to get too detailed into it, but when you’re a good high school running back, you can almost be whatever type of runner you want to be.” – Barry Sanders
“My mother was a huge influence on me. She was a living example of what a Christian should be. Her conviction, her discipline. She would rather see other people happy than herself.” – Barry Sanders
“Maybe a good rule in life is never to become too important to do your own laundry.” – Barry Sanders
“It’s probably similar to being in New York City and having a cab driver behind you and you’re driving too slow. It’s not the most pleasant thing.” – Barry Sanders
“I achieved a level of success that gave me much satisfaction and pride. It was the greatest time in my life.” – Barry Sanders
“The Heisman is the biggest award I’ve ever won.” – Barry Sanders
“I consider the Lions’ players, coaches, staff, management, and fans my family.” – Barry Sanders
Source: Wikipedia ProFootballReference ProFootballHof NFL Britannica Instagram Twitter ESPN SportsReference Heisman