Barry Sanders Biography

Barry David Sanders, born on July 16, 1968, played professional football as a running back for the Detroit Lions in the NFL for a decade. Sanders achieved the league rushing title four times and led in rushing touchdowns during one season. As a junior in 1988, he rushed for 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns in just 11 games during his college career. Sports Illustrated ranked his 1988 college season as the third-most impressive athletic achievement in history, behind notable feats in track and wrestling. Selected by the Detroit Lions in the 1989 NFL draft, Sanders won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award in his first professional season. In 1991, he helped the Lions secure their first postseason victory since 1958. Despite still performing at a high level, Sanders retired in 1999 at age 31, 1,457 yards short of surpassing Walter Payton’s all-time rushing record.