Alejandro Avila
Videos by OutKick
While the new generation of NFL running backs physically prepare themselves to resemble world-class weightlifters, reliant on superhuman athleticism to carry the ball, the old school era of elusive speed and quick cuts that could paralyze a defense found no better vessel than Barry Sanders. The 5’8″ speedster was a menace on offense, using powerful evasion and quick acceleration to get past defenders.
As a tribute to the former RB, whose career created a spectacle in running ability throughout the 90s, DetroitSportsNation brought out a throwback video to honor the OSU and Detroit Lions great after turning 53 on Friday.
In the discussion of all-time great running backs, and unquestionably the best Lions player in franchise history, Sanders’ swaying on the field made him harder to tackle than Franco Harris, with the speed of Adrian Peterson to take off for the end zone.
Fourth on the list of all-time rushing yards in the NFL (15,269), Sanders’ reputation as a natural born talent was further solidified by the Wichita North highlights, achieving feats in the NFL that may be impossible in the new generation of pass-heavy offenses.
Sanders tied Walter Payton with the most seasons totaling 1,100, or more, rushing yards per season. The Detroit Lions legend also rushed for more than 1,500 yards five times in his career, an NFL record.
Absolutely the GOAT. Just like Calvin Johnson. Detroit had the best RB and WR EVER and managed to force them both into early retirement through sheer incompetence. So sad.
Sanders is definitely one of the very best. Johnson not so much. Not in my opinion anyway.
All respect to Emmitt, but I always wondered what kind of numbers Sanders would have put up running behind the Cowboys’ o line. Emmitt was tough but nowhere near the explosive runner Sanders was. Sanders had absolutely nothing around him and still terrified defenses.
He’d have records that’d never be sniffed.
My favorite Barry highlight was watching him just subtly hand the ball to the ref after every touchdown.
I don’t even think Emmitt makes a top 10 RB list, even up to he and Barry’s era. HoF O-Line, possibly the best blocking FB in front of him… ES just hung around for 5-6 years padding his stats.
For my money, Sanders and Payton are the best 2 pro running backs to play the game.
Can’t disagree there. I’d have to add Jim Brown in that top tier group. Hard to separate any of those guys.
John Melton—Jim Brown is definitely in the top tier. As you say, hard to separate the really great ones. Comes down to personal preference…for me (if I had to pick) it would be Walter Payton. Picking between Payton and Sanders is like choosing between Bird and Magic in basketball.
Lets all not forget sweetness the great Walter Payton what a player
Oh and the great two sport monster Bo Jackson who was stopped in his prime by a freakish accident 230lbs with unbelievable speed and power one of my all timers