Saturday, 23 November 2024

Barry Sanders

Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Athletes 2024
Embed from Getty Images
Sport(s): Football
Statistics: 1 MVP (1997)
2 Bert Bell Awards (1991 & 1997)
2 Offensive Player of the Year Awards (1994 & 1997)
6 First Team All-Pro Selections (1989, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995 & 1997)
10 Pro Bowls (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 & 1998)
Four Rushing Titles (1990, 1994, 1996 & 1997)
One-Time Rushing Touchdown Leader (1991)
1 Heisman Trophy (1988)
1 Maxwell Award (1988)
One-Time All-American (1988)
1 Big Eight Offensive Player of the Year Award (1988)
Member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Member of the College Football Hall of Fame
Number retired by the Detroit Lions
Named to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
Named to the NFL 100th Anniversary Team
Barry Sanders won the Heisman as a member of the Oklahoma Sooners, and the elusive running back immediately became one of the offensive players in the National Football League.

Sanders won the Offensive Rookie of the Year and was named to the Pro Bowl, an accolade he earned every he played. A Detroit Lion for his entire professional career, Sanders was the reason for any success that they had. He would lead the league in rushing four times, and in the years he didn't, he was never lower than fifth overall.

Known for his elusiveness and durability, Sanders was on track to pass Walter Payton as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, but he retired abruptly after the 1998 Season, while he was still at the top of his game, and only a year removed from a 2,000-yard season.

We are proud to nominate Barry Sanders for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.

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