The second greatest running back in NFL history-[in my opinion} Barry Sanders turns 44 today. After a standout career at Oklahoma State where he was one of the greatest college players of all time. He won the Heisman Trophy. His 1988 season at Oklahoma State was probably the greatest season any college player ever had.He went to the Detroit Lions with the third pick in the 1989 draft. Dallas had picked Troy Aikman with the first pick. He would go on to have a hall of fame career and led the Cowboys to three Super Bowl championship- I have no problem with that pick. The second pick overall right in front of Sanders- the Packers took tackle Tony Mandarich who was a total washout. Detroit then takes Sanders.

In ten years in the NFL -Sanders made 10 pro bowls, was all-pro ten times, led the league in rushing 4 times. He rushed for 15,269 yards, scored 99 touchdowns. His 5.0 yards per carry is second best all time behind the great Jim Brown’s 5.2.  Sanders averaged 99.8 yards rushing per game in his career-second best ever behind….Jim Brown’s 104.3.

Sanders also had more negative carries than anyone in NFL history. He had 336 carries where he lost yardage for a total of 952 yards but you know you might stop Barry now and then but when he broke one he more than made up for that play before when he lost 3 yards.

In July of 1998 Barry Sanders who was within reach of Sir Walter Payton’s rushing record shocked the sports world by retiring. From all accounts records never meant that much to Sanders. Sanders was still at the top of his game. He had I’d guess at least 3 or 4 more great seasons left in him.  Reports have always been he was tired of losing with the Lions and not happy with how the team was being run. There were always rumours that he would come back but he never did.  Barry Sanders was a different kind of man. Marched to the sound of his own drum. The greatest running back I’ve ever seen and the most exciting. JimBrown was before my time. I’ve seen a lot of footage of him. He was the greatest football player who ever lived.  Even Barry’s dad said JimBrown was better. Which isn’t a knock on Sanders. There have been a lot of outstanding runners since Sanders but no one is even close to him. Too bad he had to play his entire career with the Lions and never got to play in a Super Bowl. {Detroit has never in the history of the franchise been to the Super Bowl}

Sanders was inducted into the Hall of Fame 5 years after his retirement and has kept a pretty low profile since his retirement 14 years ago. Hard to believe Barry has been retired 14 years.