Barry Sanders: Reaching 2000 yards

Clips are taken from the final game of 97 where the winner goes to play off. Hope you enjoy watching this.

[@Train2kill00]

How great was Barry Sanders? He rushed for over 2,000 yards at the end of his career. The season after this would be his last and he put up 1,491 yards rushing in his final campaign. He is the greatest running back I ever witnessed.

[@robertweatherspoon4422]

I was able to witness Barry and O.J. the really sad part about both of their careers, they were never on really good teams and didn't get great blocking. O.J. had another gear that Barry didn't have, if he got past your linebackers, it was pretty much a wrap, whereby Barry was more elusive then O.J. Both were great, If I had to take one it would be a flip of the coin, you couldn't go wrong.

[@Train2kill00]

In the beginning of both of their careers I'd have to agree with you on OJ being the faster home run threat. However when most backs slow down Barry sped up. The two 80-yard runs in the same game against the Bucs came much later in his career. His 2k season was his next to last season in the league.

[@robertweatherspoon4422]

Train2kill00 Barry didn't speed up, he was able to avoid a lot of serious injuries because he had an elusive running style. He hurt his knee once and it sidelined him for a game or 2 but that was it. Whereby with O.J. he took a beating throughout his career. A lot of people don't realize just how fast O.J. was, at one time he was on fastest 4x100 relay team in the world because they held the world record at USC.

[@Train2kill00]

Barry Sanders tore his PCL and MCL, and missed the last five games of the '93 season. At the time of the injury(Thanksgiving loss against the Chicago Bears he was leading the league with 1,115 in 11 games) Yes, he was the most elusive Running back in the history of the league but his stop and go style and his jump cuts alone wouldn't been enough to put the numbers he put up. He was also extremely fast. OJ was Olympic level fast but no more a speedster than Herschel Walker or Bo Jackson. Barry was better than all three. Of all the great attributes a dominant running back must have to be successful I value speed the least. If you don't have the balance, vision, decisiveness, lateral movement, short area burst, creativity, heart, and determination having great speed won't amount to much. Barry's last two season 2,053 yards rushing and 1,491 yards rushing. O.J.'s last two seasons 593 yards and 460 yards. OJ played one more season than Sanders that balances out because OJ played 14 games a season to Barry's 16

[@robertweatherspoon4422]

Train2kill00 I was a die hard Barry fan, but won't say he was better than O.J or Bo. Before the injuries did you ever see O.J. caught from behind?

[@gskessingerable]

The greatest RB to ever play the game. Had he not retired he would be the rushing yardage king. It's not up for debate.

[@hectormunoz6498]

If he had an o line

[@scottfisher7478]

Barry Sanders is not one of the greatest, but the GOAT. If he had an O line like Smith, he would have been the first 20,000 yard RB. It was a pleasure to watch a nice guy dominate his position.

[@primus103]

agree 100%

[@brianallison1913]

To this day it still amazes me how the man darted through a crease and you could tell when the big run was happening by the stride he hit after getting in the backfield. And after every one of those runs was a display of being perfectly humble. LEGEND

[@Ragtime4]

Very true! Seems like it was as breathtaking for him as it was for the fans too!

[@TheDCGuitar13]

The way the red took that football, looked Barry in the eye and gave him the most sincere of congratulations was one of the most wholesome moments I’ve ever seen on a field.

[@MarkSmithhhh]

That man just rushed for 2000 yards and he celebrated less than anyone in that stadium...humble and class...always

[@RedWhiteAndBlue4evr1]

I love these old films. Most players had class back then. Now these idiots celebrate any little play like they just won the SB.

[@shudoo8062]

@@RedWhiteAndBlue4evr1 3333

[@carlrice1774]

@@RedWhiteAndBlue4evr1 if only you could go back on time and enjoy those good old days. God these days suck! On a side note, how did you post this comment? Laptop? Cell phone?

[@alexk1486]

love that on the next play he left no doubt

[@313jb8]

I'll never forget it. Was at this game and me and my buddies are always bringing this day up. Couldn't talk for a week. We were going crazy when they were trying to quiet us down. I never understood that rule and never will !!!!

[@DGS_1992]

“Like trying to catch a cricket with you bare hands” I’ve never heard that sayin’ before, but how fitting lol

[@jeffrixon8332]

Barry was one of the most exciting running backs in the game when he played.

[@thebestchannel5456]

The greatest

[@richuk69]

I'm new to Barry Sanders I watched Bye Bye Barry this week and I realise how great he was so I've been looking at highlights ever since he's amazing one thing I will say it's incredible that OJ Simpson managed this feat in 2 less games the pitches looked terrible in the 70s!

[@darylbernard2616]

I was at the Siverdome that day with my three young sons. I had been to dozens of rock concerts, but that place was the loudest sound I had ever experienced in my life. It was insane. What a game, what a player, what a performance!

[@jonwick5824]

I remember as a kid watching lions games when I had the chance just to watch Barry. Score meant nothing. Even as a child I knew Barry was different than anything that had been or is to come. He's the best running back the world has ever known.

[@dpowers1185]

My first Lions game. My dad took me as an Christmas present when I was 12. A memory I’ll have with him long after he’s gone. God I love sports.

[@Baethovin]

I remember watching this game live. Great memories

[@rediculousrapper]

Barry is my all time favorite player ever, never will see another like him. The Lions can go to hell for robbing this man of his passion. That being said, of course only the Lions would be threatened with loss of timeouts or penalties for their crowd actually supporting them

[@DRD363]

Don't forget, this 2000 was actually in 14 games! His first two games were just 53 yards.

[@normanhopkins6114]

Also, he played for one of the worse franchises in the NFL. No help.

[@caseyinmi1315]

bet . . . right thanks bobby ross poor coaching

[@mezanine10]

@@normanhopkins6114 Lions made the playoff 6/10 years Barry played. They were not doormats.

[@richardwarfordjr.5622]

Barry was everything a running back should be polite and talented

[@jesusreyes864]

Being born in 99 and growing up a lions fan. I grew up watching Megatron. I always believed he was the best. After this video I wish I could a watched Barry . Man was different

[@kingkongstrong3633]

Barry was like a rock star during this time. Everyone was watching this game.

[@themandownthehall]

He was just sick. The moves he made were violations against the laws of physics. Just astounding

[@GrikWorldNomad]

Smart enough to quit at the right time. Brilliant

[@playdiscgolf1546]

Telling the crowd to be quiet. How did I forget about that?! Lol bizarre

[@simonsnow9865]

Greatest ever!

[@edwardbright9434]

C y'all thts commitment to his team not acting up like TO, Moss ,AB did

[@user-kj2sc1vu3m]

It was ablessing that we drafted Sanders at #3. Detroit fans are lucky to say they saw Sanders,Howe and Kaline WOW 😊

[@brianfournierjr7438]

What great times, Barry was like a god in Detroit. My childhood hero!

[@d3ath8ybac0n4]

What a magician. What a legend!

[@danielthompson2894]

GOAT

[@arcticwater3206]

The crazy ankle breaker in football, just like people get sat down on their back pocket by getting crossed over in basketball!

[@carlrice1774]

I love how so many comments are about loving the "good old days" while using cell phone and computer. That said, Sanders was AWESOME. And telling the home crowd to be quieter is absurd.

[@ahmedkarim5346]

Barry was so good and such a class act that the referee shook his hand after breaking 2000

[@danedeturk9708]

I was fortunate enough to be a that game and I guarantee that was the loudest the Silverdome ever was. (Well, the monster truck jams were obviously louder but whatever.)

[@ghostdagreat9690]

All time great athlete Inspirational!

[@donnbradley1249]

That ref telling people to shut their yaps would have made me scream even louder

[@tyhk6yhgf171]

The way he been tackled alone would and has put out most today

[@rcl1955ca]

Sanders is such a class act, today’s chest thumping, me,me, me players could learn a lot from a classy guy like that. It was amusing to see the ref ask the Lion players to encourage the fans to keep the noise down.

[@bobbysworld8186]

My favorite Rb still to this day! Barry Sanders might of had 5 more seasons in him, made the decision to retire before his body broke down. Much Respect !

[@aaronflowers8881]

My favorite football player of all time.

[@scottdecker9115]

Interesting fact: The guy who Barry juked on his TD was Otis Smith (former New England Patriots CB who won a Super Bowl with them, and believe it or not, a former Detroit Lions CB (2003)!

[@murraylindsay6880]

I don’t think any running back today to this day would have a chance against Barry.

[@randywatson1296]

The lions weren’t even thinking about winning the game. Feed Barry! I have this game on VHS

[@ChrisSmith-kw4gn]

Barry was loved by the OL.

[@lnr12241]

Dude broke more ankles than an MMA fighter

[@JoshingLife]

My left ear enjoyed this video 😅

[@johnwhite5897]

Humbleness

[@kennetjrichie1228]

Barry made defenses cry in their sleep the night before playing him

[@weathp]

I was lucky enough to be at this game. By far the best game I’ve ever been to.

[@dinoc734]

in his 9th season? that's remarkable

[@n3rdopolis]

That countdown thing they have at 5:50 is incredible. haha

[@PlanetEarth3141]

There are quite a few in the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. But in the game of football there are only a couple dozen truly, very special great players. I'd suggest Barry Sanders, Deon Sanders, Dick Butkis, Lawrence Taylor, Walter Payton and Earl Campbell. Notice it guys running with a football versus guys trying to stop them. That's the epitome of football. Not throwing and catching or blocking or kicking. Sure that's important but at it's core it's I got the ball and try to stop me. So, runners against tacklers is the short list for the best of the best. Why Deon? Because Deon scored TDs six different ways. If that's not better than just running and exceptional then the greatest means nothing.

[@AllisonakaSakura]

Best moment was when he got the 2000 and was really modest about getting it😊 Yeah tell that to his next play that wasn't modest that straight ruthless 😏🤣

[@bthorn5035]

Titanium knees and ankles.

[@jonvisser1509]

Love these Jets Helmets and uniforms. Hats off to Bill Parcells he made Neil O'DONNELL good more unbelievable than 2000 yards for Barry lol

[@ultimatepatriot]

Detroit did not deserve Barry Sanders

[@workingman5739]

People want to bring up Barry's loss per carry when talking about his weaknesses. However if you observe the man you can see how he has great vision where he can see the slightest hole in the defense, and would attempt to make something out of nothing when there were none. The lions just simply had a weak offensive line. Barry just took what they gave him and tried to make something out of nothing when nothing was available. I don't think any other back would come close to achieving what Barry was able to do with such a poor line. The same rule of Eric Kramer who was the QB at that time. He is probably the most underrated QB of his era working with little to no protection. Barry is the Most electrifying RB ever. Probably best.

[@chr970]

Can you imagine Barry as a little kid in his neighbourhood when they would gather for a game of tag? The game would end when he had to go home for dinner I guess.

[@badgercdlyons]

At the start of the game Eric Dickerson had the record at over 2100 yards, OJ Simpson had killed two people, and Barry Sanders was about to make some history.

[@lnr12241]

Imagine telling an entire football stadium to be quiet lol

[@terrenceliburd8655]

As he got older he got faster... Where they do that at? Lol. To think he retired the next season.

[@l.r9655]

The refs telling the crowd to quite down??? Wtf

[@santino2070]

Barry sanders is the Goat. I don’t care if anybody says different. Not debating

[@jonwick5824]

You can't tell the 12th man you'll charge the D with a timeout if they don't be quiet. That's the offense problem.

[@scotthall7585]

Hes the jerry rice of the running back position. His rushing record would have been so far out of reach if he wanted it to be

[@zeusjermaine6550]

Who can read lips? What did that guy say to Barry at 2:58 ?

[@feralshe-male6858]

people who say seattle is loud were never lucky enough to see a game at the silverdome.

[@Rob-dp3vr]

Barry retired early. If he went one more season, he would have beaten Walter Payton's record for all-time yards. In Payton's career, he never had a run over 60 yards. Barry had THREE touchdown runs over 70 yards, IN ONE GAME.

[@juscogens5541]

Isn't that why they have silent counts? It is not incumbent upon the home crowd to do the visiting team any favors!

[@roberthulen5162]

If only he had an offensive line!!!!!

[@AchillesWrath1]

It' funny to see the ref stop the game because the Jets offensive couldn't hear anything. They would never do that today. Slap the Center on the ass that's how you get him to snap the ball when you can't hear.

[@PRODUCEDBYKEV]

Barry made 2000. Then he went OFF 😆

[@gsentinel4821]

Barry Sanders was Legendary however, O.J. Simpson rushed for his 2,000 in only 14 games, the length of the season in 1973 - Love him or hate him, No one has ever made it to 2,000 yards in 14 games except O.J. The next best was Eric Dickerson getting to 2,000 in 15 games. Just an observation.

[@mezanine10]

In Barry's first 2 games of the year, he rushed for 53 yards total. In a way, he did rush for 2k yards in 14 games.

[@amazingplayz2587]

I can’t believe they wanted to take timeouts from the lions because of the fans smh

[@kevinpayton2664]

That rule has been around for years. It's not enforced nowadays.

[@randywatson1296]

Barry had no team. Ever

[@mezanine10]

Lions made the playoffs 6/10 years he played. He also played with many pro-bowlers like Herman Moore, Lomas Brown, Kevin Glover, Robert Porcher, Brian Blades and Chris Spielman. Stop parroting what other say and look it up for yourself.

[@kingpbl41]

Did the referee threatened a penalty for the Lions fans being too loud? Wtf?

[@davissae]

Barry was overrated because he had Tuinei, Newton and Johnston blocking for him. With Emmitt, it was only him and he was still great.

[@Conehead0708]

😂😂😂 what?? Emmitt had the best offensive line in football for years. It was constantly talked about how good the line was in Dallas... Just Emmitt? I guess you never heard of Larry Allen. This might be the silliest comment I've ever seen.

[@dabrownone]

Do they still let refs charge the team for the crowd cheering? Wtaf

[@esp4372]

Loudest I’ve ever heard a stadium in my 45 years

[@axgreenious9400]

Watching Barry Sanders > Michael Jordan

[@victorevanssr.5034]

Please stop talking about size. Football will never ever have anything to do with size 🙄

[@carrollbridges6427]

What Barry Sanders dad said after that game ill always believe that's why Barry retired early in his Career. Hell if ur dad doesn't believe in his son why play Barry did it for this family

[@colinjones4686]

Jesus Christ was he fast!

[@19dsmooth]

Rest in peace, Dick Enberg. Great announcing!

[@SeaMonkey137]

Ran for 2,000 yards in a season and celebrated less than most of today's players do for their first downs.

[@codymorrison6646]

That last play was EPIC.

[@JeffintheD]

I was at this game. What a thrill. An honor to watch Barry run. I remember him being carried off the field on the shoulders of a couple O linemen. One of the great privileges of life to watch him play.

[@AmirKhan-yv8jm]

And you also witnessed another Lions HOF in Calvin Johnson!

[@chefchuck1587]

Barry was a class act.

[@voice_of_reason5604]

Cant beat watching an exciting running back at the top of his game. Barry Sanders was one of the very best to ever play the game at ANY position.

[@philippeters3253]

My dad brought me to this game. My first Lions game ever.

[@ProgressOnly]

It was my first game I was six. We were in the upper section of the south endzone.

[@BrockHardwell]

My first game too. It was incredible.

[@debrahollinger7167]

Philip Peters what a Memory! Go Dads

[@simdawg9342]

Wow

[@MMHOH58DR]

One of the most amazing players to watch in all of football.

[@BBBYpsi]

Barry was the most respected player in the NFL. He never talked trash & everyone media,players,fans..... liked him. The most modest & humble superstar ever.

[@willdrucker4291]

OMG I still remember this game...my Jets were just one win away from clinching a playoff spot....and consequently would become the only team in NFL history to go from 1-15 (1996) to 10-6 and make the postseason....it appeared for most of the contest legendary coach Bill Parcells had kept Barry Sanders in check...that is until near the end of the third quarter...Barry's 4th quarter performance is still ranked the greatest one quarter achievement in NFL history...thusly, it was the Lions who went to the dance while the Jets went home.....still the greatest running back in NFL history IMHO....the legendary BARRY SANDERS!!!

[@MRJOEBRAND23]

Barry sanders is the greatest rb of all time in my eyes...

[@neeazmahmud1474]

Often forgotten in this game was a devastating neck injury to Detroit lion linebacker Reggie Brown, which ended his career at just 23 years old. ... Early in the 4th quarter, the game was delayed for 17 mins as Reggie laid motionless and nearly died on the field. Lots of prayers and tears from both jets and lions players

[@BrockHardwell]

Yeah man, I was at the game. It was so quiet when he went down. It was eerie. Reggie could have been great. He had so much speed. I'll never forget one game of him returning a interception for a touchdown. Nobody was close to chasing him down.

[@JHall91]

We have an old Freep front page printout from the Monday following that game. The headline is "Barry Christmas" but nearly every word on the front page is about Reggie Brown. A very sad moment

[@shadowsteve1628]

It's crazy, that game was so emotional! Near silence at one point, to deafening roars. What a game to witness!

[@glennhubbard5008]

I had forgotten that. Thank you.

[@kevinpayton2664]

This was the game? I had forgotten about Reggie's injury.

[@mnsnota]

Barry is the best ever. I don't want to hear your reasoning for why he's not. His legs looked like he should have been on the offensive line. I'm a vikings fan, I grew up in MN. I remember jumping in, around, or over my parents couch watching Barry. I will someday buy an autographed Barry Sanders jersey.

[@tonybriggs280]

cough cough

[@JMoore68]

@@tonybriggs280 Great back. No Barry Sanders.

[@TheBlackMakoShark]

Imagine being a LIOnS fan, born in Detroit. Going to the games with dad. Special times

[@1031solidstate]

I've been a faithful Lions fan since 1996, and Barry is the reason why. He is the best. And he always will be. Amazing that the place where the crowd was once so loud that the refs and team members had to quiet them down is now abandoned, empty, and decrepit. Lol, and the Jets team, fans, and press were all so sure that the Tuna would work his magic and take a 3rd team to the playoffs that day . . . but Parcells laid a goose egg, and he and the Jets had to wait just one more year. Too bad about Reggie Brown - five years after the Jets themselves lost a team member to paralysis, Dennis Byrd, and six years after the equally frightening Mike Utley incident for the Lions.

[@AmirKhan-yv8jm]

Lions wasted another talent in Calvin Johnson!

[@user-zu6gq5lw1d]

I was at this game, I will never forget seeing Reggie Brown on the field, and the ambulance taking him away...but other than that it was a great game!

[@brandonprince3602]

G.O.A.T. period. no running back will ever be able to dupelicate his running style. I might be biased because I'm a die-hard Lions fan, Barry Sanders was the greatest. and now we got Megatron.

[@sableghost]

My idea of fantasy football is to imagine a Lions team with both Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson in their primes.

[@earlyetman2258]

sableghost We had Herman Moore and Brett Perriman all three lead their respective fields at points in their careers.

[@DeepfriedBaby]

+Earl Yetman Minus Wayne Fontes = Wasted talent.

[@eeegee43]

I don't really care who you are random letter guy, but damnit I love you for posting this video. Vivid childhood memories just pouring through me. Awesome.

[@zzzmmmjjj]

+Eric George :) lol, glad you enjoyed it

[@nathanielthomas2502]

Eric George Yup i was 14 what a moment. So much on the line .playoffs .2000yards.. .our poor player getting his career ending injury...the name escapes me..but more than all that the refs actually threatning the silverdome crowd with a penalty...i think of that everytime u hear about seattle 12th man...they got nothing on the silverdome

[@YourGrannysThong]

Me too bro! Hands down best running back in nfl history

[@tonyc4776]

I still have the front page from the free press and the detroit news from this game

[@tonyc4776]

Nathaniel Thomas Reggie Brown? Lb

[@danielconnors2077]

I love how loud the building gets -- incredible. I remember watching this live and the cameras were shaking. Players said the ground was rumbling. That is what Lions football can be!

[@earlyetman2258]

We loved Barry...We used to chant it in chorus, I will never forget it!

[@shadowsteve1628]

I sat upper level in this game. When the crowd hit it's peak loudness, I couldn't speak because I was in awe of what was happening. The noise resonated so strongly that the upper level was shaking under our feet. I never felt anything like it, and I went to quite a few games.

[@williampavichevich306]

Daniel Connors Also, DETROIT PISTON Games and especially in the Playoffs must have been very Loud as well.

[@TheBlackMakoShark]

@@shadowsteve1628 I couldn’t hear my Dad or brother sitting right next to me. Silverdome was great!!!!

[@JoshuaAdams]

This is the only Lions game I've ever seen. I don't' want to go to another because it can't come close to as awesome as this one.

[@makaibrown3952]

the game where calvin johnson break jerry rice's record had this same vibe