Barry J. told NFL.com while he was playing for Oklahoma State. [8][14] In the last game of the season, Wichita North's head coach, Dale Burkholder, offered Sanders more playing time in order to gain enough rushing yards to reach the state rushing title, but Sanders declined, saying it was "not important. Nittany Lions running back JaJuan Seider spoke about Miles potential before the season started. Miles Sanders is not related to Barry Sanders. [1] The Lions posted a 97 record and clinched a wild card spot as the No. Sanders was also awarded his second NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award, and the NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) (co-won with Brett Favre). [53] Against the Green Bay Packers on September 30, Sanders had 20 attempts for 94 yards. In 1994, he was named NFLs Offensive Player of the Year and scored a combined 2,166 yards for the season. His retirement was made public by faxing a letter to The Wichita Eagle, his hometown newspaper. 2 seed in the NFC, the Lions skipped the Wild Card Round and advanced to the Divisional Round, where they faced the Dallas Cowboys. The duo date six years long before their marriage. [55][53] He ranked third in rushing touchdowns (13), and sixth in both attempts (255), and yards per attempt (5.1). 20, which had been worn by former Lions running back Billy Sims; Sims was one of the league's premier running backs in the early 1980s, and Fontes requested he wear the number in tribute to Sims. A stern but loving father, Willie Sanders encouraged his sons to work hard in school as well as in sports to keep them out of trouble. Barry Sanders was born to William, a carpenter and Shirley who was a nurse. [15] In the letter, Sanders wrote:[108], "Shortly after the end of last season, I felt that I probably would not return for the 19992000 season. After an amazing football career, Sanders passed on the baton to his son Barry J. Sanders. He was finally offered sports scholarships by Emporia State, Tulsa and Oklahoma State University. There, he earned all-state honors. First running back to have two 80+ yard touchdown runs in a game, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 3 March 2023, at 18:41. One thing has to be made immediately clear about Barry Sanders' son, Barry J. Sanders. [59][60] In the final game of the regular season against the Buffalo Bills, Sanders had 26 attempts for 108 yards and a touchdown, but fumbled in Lions territory, allowing the Bills to tie the game; the Lions would still be victorious, ending 1714 in overtime. [154][155], For his son, the former college football player, see, Early years and postseason win (19891991), Playoff disappointments and MVP season (19951998), National Football League 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, National Football League Coach of the Year Award, College Football Playoff National Championship, List of National Football League rushing yards leaders, List of National Football League rushing champions, List of NCAA major college football yearly rushing leaders, List of NCAA major college football yearly scoring leaders, "PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT: RAMS: Just Call Him Col. Sanders", "Barry Sanders: Quietly Flying Highlions Running Back Has Learned To Absorb and Endure", "Graduation-Depleted North Is Cautious About '84-85", "Barry Sanders, predictably, shies from spotlight", "Prep Football Players Earn National Honors", "Best individual college football seasons", "Christian McCaffrey Breaks NCAA Single-Season All-Purpose-Yards Record", "COLLEGE FOOTBALL; Sanders in Spectacular Form Again", "ESPN Classic - Sanders' humility makes him distinctive", "Barry Sanders' Oklahoma State career highlighted by 1988 Heisman Trophy run", "Throwback Thursday - Wish you could've stayed", "Barry Sanders Signs $9.5-Million Contract", "Barry Sanders at 50: Here are 20 tales about No. By the end of his career, Sanders was known as "one of the game's most electrifying runners", as described by the Pro Football Hall of Fame; this was a view shared by Sports Illustrated, who described him as "running circles around NFL defenses with an electrifying style unlike anything the league has seen. [107] Sanders capped off his final season with 1,491 rushing yards (fourth in the league), from a career-high 343 attempts (fifth in the league), and four touchdowns. "[144], Sanders is a Christian. Route 46 in Saddle Brook circa 1965. This does not mean Miles did not receive some inspiration from the player with whom he shares the same last name. [37] During pre-draft measurements, Sanders was measured at 5 ft 8 in tall, and weighed at 203 lbs. Former news anchor for WDIV in Detroit, Lauren Campbell, is well recognized as a wife, subsequently ex-wife of former American football running back, Barry Sanders. pic.twitter.com/Da4X52F0Q6. [58][15], On September 13, 1992, Sanders had 26 attempts for 66 yards against the Minnesota Vikings. In 2000, Sanders was included in the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team, and in 2019, Sanders was named to the National Football League 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. [1][39], Before the start of the 1997 season, Fontes was fired after nine seasons coaching the Lions, and replaced by Bobby Ross; Sanders was saddened by Fontes' firing, believing he deserved another chance at coaching the team. It was only a matter of time before Sanders became one of the crucial players for the Detroit Lions leading NFL four times in his record breaking rushing. As Sanders' retirement came unexpectedly. She has maintained a low key personal life. As reported, the couple and their children were in the process of building a new home together as late as 2010, but suddenly everything came to an end. [50] Sanders was awarded the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, and named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. 1 by ESPN and Sporting News. 5, respectively. [30] When added to his original rushing total, Sanders recorded 2,850 rushing yards from a workload of 373 attempts, 42 rushing touchdowns, and 44 total touchdowns. [100][96] Sanders reached the 2,000 mark on a two-yard run; finishing the game with 23 attempts for 184 yards and a touchdown; helping the Lions edge the Jets 1310. [125][1] Sanders was a notable bright spot on a Lions franchise that had endured years of unsuccessful play, helping to lead the team to their first playoff victory in decades. About His fans and followers followed him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. [148][149] When the couple divorced, Sanders requested joint custody of them, while Campbell kept their medical coverage. He has four sons from his ex-wife, Lauren Campbell Sanders. [68][34] In his final contract year, Sanders and the Lions agreed to a four-year, $17.2-million contract, making him the highest-paid running back in the NFL, and the third-highest-paid player overall, behind John Elway and Steve Young. [39] From 1970, the football team had made the postseason only twice, and had not had a season at or above .500 (more wins than losses) since their most recent playoff season in 1983. Sexuality: Straight. 3 overall in the 1989 NFL Draft, after Troy Aikman and Tony Mandarich, thanks to the endorsement of head coach Wayne Fontes. Of those 19 runners, nine were drafted in the first three rounds (two in Round 1, four in Round 2 . "[135][130] His 1989 season is regarded as one of the best all-time by a rookie running back, ranked No. The Spartans 2022-23 roster, which was released Friday, shows that Nicholas, a guard, will be wearing the No. Deep in a storage closet in the Lions' practice facility sat hundreds of fan letters from children of all ages addressed to one man -- Barry Sanders. Notable Alumni: Oklahoma State University, awards: 1988 - Heisman Trophy winners 1988 - Maxwell Award winners 1988 - Walter Camp Award winners, 1988 - Sporting News College Football Player of the Year winners 1988 - Chic Harley Award winners 1990 - AP NFL All-Pro Team 1991 - AP NFL All-Pro Team 1990 - NFLs all-Decade Team 1997 - NFL MVP Award 1994 - NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award 1989 - NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award 1997 - Bert Bell Award winners 1996 - NFL season rushing yards leaders 1997 - NFL season rushing yards leaders 2004 - Pro Football Hall of Fame, See the events in life of Barry Sanders in Chronological Order, (American Former Professional Football Player Who Played in the Running Back Position). Getty Early life [ edit] Sanders was born on July 16, 1968, in Wichita, Kansas, as the seventh of eleven children, to William and Shirley Sanders. [143] He was recognized for putting his team's success over his stats, as shown when he denied a request from head coach Wayne Fontes to return to play in a game so that he could gain enough rushing yards to become the rushing leader for that season. [136][137] In 1999, an ESPN survey of journalists, athletes, and other sports figures ranked Sanders as the 76th greatest North American athlete of the 20th-century. [66] He was selected to the Pro Bowl and named an AP second-team All-Pro for the first time. "[103] Sanders rushed for 100+ yards in the season's final 14 games, an NFL record. [39], On July 27, 1999, Sanders announced his retirement from pro football, on the day before Lions training camp was set to start. Around 2000, Lauren Campbell exchanged the vows with her long-time sweetheart, Barry Sanders, in an intimate ceremony at the Detroit Golf Club among the 50 guests. Sanders retired from football suddenly, raising a controversy around his abrupt decision. [24] While still a backup to Thomas, he received notable attention from his opponents. [107] He was nine yards short of completing five straight seasons with at least 1,500 rushing yards. Sanders helped lead the Lions to their first postseason victory since the team won the 1957 NFL Championship Game. [58] Sanders finished the postseason with 23 attempts for 113 yards and a touchdown. [88] Against the Oakland Raiders, Sanders had nine attempts for only 36 yards. Sanders led the league in rushing yards four times and in rushing touchdowns once, establishing himself as one of the most elusive runners in the history of the NFL with his quickness and agility, despite being only 5ft 8 in tall and weighing 203lbs. [88] Against the Seattle Seahawks on November 17, Sanders had 16 attempts for 134 yards and a touchdown. When Barry Sanders ended his time at Oklahoma State, he went to the NFL. [121][122][123] Over his entire career, Sanders averaged 1,527 rushing yards per season, and 99.8 rushing yards per game, the latter stat second to Jim Brown. [73] Against the Dallas Cowboys the following week, Sanders improved with a career-high 40 attempts for 194 yards. He earned a football scholarship to attend Oklahoma State University, where he remained until his junior year in 1988. Running Back #8. [83] Sanders finished with 314 attempts for 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Mitchell & Ness 1989-1998 Detroit Lions BARRY SANDERS NFL Throwback Jersey 56 at the best online prices at eBay! [88] Sanders had 20 attempts for 134 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings, but a missed two-point conversion attempt after his touchdown resulted in the Lions losing 2224. Six of his 13 attempts went for negative yardage, and the Lions as a team were held to only -4 rushing yards in the game, losing 1216. Holiday Inn located in Fort Lee circa the 1960s. Games with 100 or more yards rushing in a season (14). [145] He and his wife, Lauren Campbell Sanders, a former news anchor for WDIV in Detroit, filed for divorce in February 2012 after 12 years of marriage. [67][68] It was revealed after the game that Sanders had suffered a torn medial collateral ligament (MCL), and would miss three to five weeks. If you have seen Bonita, you are asked to call 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) In 1991, he was given the title of NFC Most Valuable Player by NFL Players Association. [133][134], Sanders led the NFL in rushing yards four times (second to Brown), and in rushing touchdowns once in 1994. Sanders, after being cleared for the game, recorded 27 attempts for 169 yards, the best statistical postseason game of his career; but the Lions lost 2428. [6] Sanders started at tailback in his sophomore year in high school, but his brother Byron started before him in that position during Barry's following junior year. By now, he had gained 15,269 rushing yards, 2,921 receiving yards, and 109 touchdowns (99 rushing and 10 receiving). Sanders was first inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1998, into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003 and in that same year inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. After anchoring for several years, she dropped her career and started a family. The 2020 NFL draft class included several such players. However, Oklahoma State had been under investigation by the NCAA for going against recruiting rules, and later were given significant penalties for their violations. After all these years, he finally gets to . Furthermore, they were forced into mediation to help sort out the issues, including custody, parenting time, spousal and child support, and property. His Heisman trophy-winning season in 1988, in which he set single-season college football records for most rushing yards gained, touchdowns scored, and total scrimmage yards (among other records), is often considered the greatest individual college football season ever, ranked No. Barry J. spent three seasons at Stanford before transferring to his fathers alma mater, Oklahoma State. [1] He retired within 1,457 rushing yards of Walter Payton's career rushing mark of 16,726 yards. [19][35] Sanders initially announced that he was not going to enter the NFL Draft, but after receiving pressure from his father, he announced his entrance into the draft. Barnett later spoke of the moment: "I'm not embarrassed about what happened. All he has to do is go be Miles, JaJuan explained to Penn Live. [111] Sanders' agents refused, and the Lions filed a grievance with the NFL. 9 player of all time. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. It has been speculated that Sanders would have surpassed the record if he had not retired early, a view held by Emmitt Smith, the eventual holder of the record. His total salary boosted his net worth. From his playing career, he summoned $33,779,500. [1] His rushing total was both a rookie franchise record, and a franchise record for any running back in Lions history (both records held previously by Billy Sims). He is not, but learn how the former Lions running back inspires him. Even after winning all-state honours, Sanders was not offered too many scholarships except two, because of his short height. On December 31, Sanders struggled against the Packers and recorded what is viewed as the worst game of his career, having 13 attempts for -1 rushing yards. [146] Sanders' oldest son, Barry J. Sanders, played running back for Stanford University from 2012 to 2015, and at Oklahoma State University in 2016. [58] Sanders dedicated the win to teammate Mike Utley, who suffered a career-ending spinal cord injury the previous game. [18][15] His father was similarly frustrated because Oklahoma State played in the same conference as the Oklahoma Sooners, whom William was a fan of. As a child, Sanders was known for having an appetite, being able to eat an entire loaf of bread in one sitting. [96] On October 12, Sanders dominated with 215 yards from 24 attempts and two touchdowns against the Buccaneers, passing Jim Brown to be the fourth-ranked career rushing leader in NFL history, with 12,513 career rushing yards; he also caught a seven-yard touchdown pass. At the time of his retirement, he trailed only the great Walter Payton in career rushing yards. The duo tied knot in 2000 however divorced after twelve years of their marriage in February 2012. Green Bay missed out on the Hall of Fame parade by taking Tony . Miles plays running back just like Barry did, but the Penn State player is not related to the Hall-of-Famer. Powered by. Barry Sanders Isnt the Only Legendary NFL Running Back to Retire Early. He was also selected to the Pro Bowl and was named a first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press (AP). Quando utilizzi i nostri siti e le nostre app, noi utilizziamo i. autenticare gli utenti, applicare misure di sicurezza e prevenire spam e abusi; misurare l'utilizzo dei nostri siti e delle nostre app. In 2007, he was ranked by NFL Networks' NFL Top 10 series as the most elusive runner in NFL history, and was placed No. 20 you might not know", "Most Rushing Yards In A Season Lions Player", "1989 Detroit Lions Statistics & Players", "For Lions, 'Thumbs Up' The Thanksgiving Story", "Lions Are Restless, Defeat Bills: Interconference: Buffalo keeps Thomas, Kelly and Lofton on sideline during 17-14 overtime loss", "NFC Championship - Detroit Lions at Washington Redskins - January 12th, 1992", "SPORTS PEOPLE: FOOTBALL; Lions' Sanders Receives Richest Pact for Runner", "Packers Tame Sanders, Leave Lions Beaten: NFC playoffs: NFL's top running back is held to minus one yard as Detroit is stunned, 16-12, at Green Bay", "Most Rushing Yards Without A Touchdown In A Game", "Most Rushing Yards In A Game Lions Player", "NFL Rushing Yards Single-Season Leaders", "Most Scrimmage Yards In A Season 1910 To 1994", "Warner's 5 TDs, Dansby's fumble return cap big day", "Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions - December 8th, 1996", "NFL Career Rushing Touchdowns Leaders Through 1996", "NFL Career Rushing Yards Leaders Through 1996", "NFL Career Rushing Attempts Leaders Through 1996", "The 10 Greatest Running Back Seasons in NFL History", "NFL Yards From Scrimmage Single-Season Leaders", "Emmitt: Sanders would still be king if he didn't retire", "Lions put Sanders atop the NFL's salary heap", "ESPN.com - NFL - Arbirator says Sanders must pay back $1.8 million", "Sanders reverses on retiring; Star may play if Lions let him go, agent says", "20 years later, Barry Sanders 'not sure' he'd change 'clumsy' retirement", "Barry Sanders returns to Lions as an ambassador", "Most Seasons With 1,500 Or More Yards Rushing", "Gil Brandt's 25 greatest NFL running backs of all time", "NFL Career Rushing Touchdowns Leaders Through 1998", "NFL Career Rushing Yards Leaders Through 1998", "NFL Career Rushing Attempts Leaders Through 1998", "Monday Night Football - Classic MNF: Barry's last hurrah", "Who Has The Most 1000 Yard Rushing Seasons", "Detroit Lions: A Retrospective Of Failure", "Lions to add three Legends to Pride of the Lions", "2005 Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame Legends of the fall Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas are together again for induction into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame", "Barry Sanders | Pro Football Hall of Fame Official Site", "Niners training camp 2022: Bump in road at practice won't slow Trey Lance's roll, plus Deebo deal on horizon", "Top 10 most elusive runners in NFL history", "Some all-time great players never even reached Super Bowl", "Lion King Barry Sanders Is Running Circles Around NFL Defenses With An Electrifying Style Unlike Anything The League Has Seen", "Top rookie seasons of the Super Bowl era: Running backs", "ESPN.com: Top N. American athletes of the century", "CFB 150: Top 10 individual single-season performances in college football history", "Barry Sanders included among ESPN's Top 150 players", "ESPN.com: Page 2: Burning questions: Barry Sanders", "Inside Barry Sanders' record-setting, Heisman-winning (and nap-taking) 1988 season", "Barry Sanders Christian Faith | Detroit Lions", "Barry Sanders Divorce: NFL Legend and Lauren Campbell Reportedly Splitting", "In Residence: Lauren Sanders - Detroit Home - Winter 2010 - Detroit, MI", "ESPU 150's Barry J. Sanders commits to Stanford Cardinal - ESPN", "Barry J. Sanders to transfer to Oklahoma State, can play in '16", "Barry Sanders Now You See Him: His Story in His Own Words", "Vote for EA Sports' 'Madden NFL 25' Cover Athlete - SportsNation #MaddenCoverVote - ESPN", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Barry_Sanders&oldid=1142664853, Most rushing yards gained in a three, four, and five game span: 937; 1,152; 1,472, Most 2+ rushing touchdown games in a season: 11, Most 3+ rushing touchdown games in a season: 8, Most consecutive games scoring two or more touchdowns: 13 (from November 14, 1987, through 1988), Most scrimmage touchdowns in a season: 39 (tied with Ball), Most games rushing for 300+ yards in a season and career: 4, Most all-purpose yards per game in a season: 295.5, Most rushing yards per game in a season: 238.9, Seasons with 1,500 or more yards rushing (5), Consecutive games with 100 or more yards rushing (14).