Barry Sanders Wins the Heisman at Oklahoma State | A Football Life

[@redmustangredmustang]

Imagine if Barry Sanders was a 2 year starter instead of 1. He would have won the Heisman back to back. Rare that you see two running backs back to back become hall of famers in both college and in the pro level.

[@pauldezmond3388]

He averaged 234 yards per game!!!! Best RB in the history of football in my opinion

[@poopagore]

not an opinion when it's a fact lol

[@kaliefwhe82]

Easily

[@keva6303]

And averaged 1,500 yards a season in the NFL over a 10 year span.

[@billsmith8961]

Not a shred of doubt.

[@EMAINIE]

39 touchdowns in 11 games! There are quarterbacks that would love to have thrown 39 tds. Incredible.

[@jacoblavoie8326]

And almost 8 yards per carry!

[@michaelhudson863]

44 touchdowns in 12 games. They didn’t count bowl game stats then, but they do now. So he’s even FURTHUR from the pack then most people realize

[@PaulJohnson-vn7eh]

Those numbers are video game type numbers. That's filthy.

[@alant9517]

Scream that to the world. Could you imagine if a running back did this today????

[@yigyountry]

@@michaelhudson863 wow i never knew that !!! thank u actually lol

[@ThaTitanSpartan]

Best Running Back Ever

[@emperfectfamily7690]

By far not even close

[@danshowlund]

I clicked on your comment so I could argue with anyone who tried to disagree with you!

[@MattPawlowski]

@@danshowlund The best part is there's people that think Emmitt Smith is better. Closest guys are Jim Brown and Walter Payton.

[@islandvibes9076]

Jim Brown and Barry are tops for me - different backs with different set of skills. I'd probably draft Barry first, though. There's a HUGE gap between them and the rest. Emmitt, Payton, Sayers, Dickerson - they're all looking up to those two.

[@slappxn]

Lesean mccoy woulda lapped him if he stayed with Philly

[@cvz14]

Greatest RB of all time .

[@Stopcommentingthesamecomments]

Imo Adrian Peterson is I mean he was the face of his team and was Minnesota offense for a decade and won mvp during an Era where they throw the ball But I won't argue if someone takes Barry over

[@MiguelAlatorreMusic]

@@Stopcommentingthesamecomments personally I'd take a lot of ppl over AP

[@Stopcommentingthesamecomments]

@@MiguelAlatorreMusic idk man he was that dude but there's been a lot of great backs it's just my opinion

[@nomaxxin]

@@StopcommentingthesamecommentsI’d take LT over AP … equally as good a runner along with a better overall offensive player .

[@Bigfishfun333]

Next to Jim Brown, yes. But when it comes to pure excitement, Barry is the clear #1 choice. I love to see tough linebackers get juked out of their socks.

[@exdemocrat9038]

Barry Sanders is pure class & a fantastic role model.

[@nmelkhunter1]

Yes he is and our society could use a great many more men like him.

[@TranswarpXL]

Greatest individual season in college football history.

[@paulkeller6913]

I sold cokes in the stands for Oklahoma University when I was a teenager. I got to see Barry and Thurman in person. Barry was and still is the greatest back I have ever seen.

[@SSNESS]

Thurman needs to protect the ball more securely when running with it

[@tonyhill6220]

The amount of games they play today, he would have been the first 3,000 yard Back in college or pro history!

[@jotac87278]

That picture next to Deion in college is incredible.

[@jgar3185]

Derrick Thomas is in the picture sort of lol next to number 89 rip DT

[@snuffysmith6842]

His performance in his Heisman season has never been surpassed by any player before or after. Of every person awarded the award all fall short in playing at any level superior to him . He is the one who won Heisman that truly deserved it over everyone. There has never been one to surpass his achievements that year & never will . Others were awarded the award in other years & most could have probably seen it awarded to someone else but Barry was epitome of what the only choice in his year should be no other choice.

[@reedsawyer5704]

One of the things that nobody mentions is that Barry's father had a roofing company, and he had Barry help him. Specifically carrying heavy stacks of shingles up ladders every day during the summer, (which gave him tremendous strength in his thighs). That work ethic, and the hard work, helped him become the great back.

[@dr.detroit1514]

Barry Sanders, not only the greatest, but the most humble, and a total class act.

[@lukeskywalker2834]

I'm a Dallas fan until death but it's no doubt Barry IS the best running back EVER

[@EazyyMuthuLovinnE]

The fact Barry Switzer was like we’re good playing Thurman Thomas cause Barry ain’t no joke 😂😂😂😂

[@Bigfishfun333]

"We want all-American Thurman Thomas!" - said no coach ever that didn't know Barry Sanders was the backup!

[@davidgodbois4456]

Amazing how "Dad" can be such a tool. Truly amazing. I can't understand it. You go Barry. The best ever.

[@WrongedSports]

Barry Sanders 1988 season is so insane and won't be matched. He would've had 400 yards in the bowl game if he played all 4 quarters

[@MrHand-ih4sz]

Best running back, period. And a great guy, too. Tons of respect for Barry Sanders.

[@nmelkhunter1]

And the whole world could use a dose of his humility. I’d love to buy him a beer and talk about life for awhile.

[@louieo.blevinsmusic2011]

@@nmelkhunter1 seeing him next to Deion was like seeing Superman and Bizarro. Polar opposites when it came to the glitz and glam. A super stand up guy for sure

[@tonybarnett1158]

Imagine Barry behind the Cowboys line of the 90's.

[@reggieshuford965]

OMFG!!!!!!!! That wouldn't be fair to every other RB that has played period!!!! By no means any disrespect but he would've set the bar out of this world no cap 💯

[@AndreMcDowell-yl7mz]

Wow That Would've Been Something To C, 4REAL...... Definitely Would've Average 10Yards Or Better A Carry.......

[@tbone2071]

Easily 2000 yards per season!

[@Cynsham]

He would have rushed for like 2500 yards

[@kokolovitch56]

A dad should be happy and proud of their son going to any college. Supporting your boy is the right thing to do, disappointing and hurting him was the wrong thing to do.

[@King_Kunta]

Dad knew how special his son was and knew he wouldn’t start if he went to ok state which he didn’t. Dad wanted him to go to Tulsa so he could be a freshman and possibly win the heisman and have a legendary career. It was a year later but he did it anyway. He just wanted what he thought was best

[@Dahn.Baern.]

Barry’s 1987 season is simply the most impressive by a player in the history of this game. He actually scored I believe 42 touchdowns in 12 games. His 5 TD’s in the holiday bowl didn’t count toward his record. His records may never be broken by another rusher at a major university.

[@akadwriter]

1988 season

[@echo3434]

42 rushing TDs plus another 2 on special teams. He returned the opening kickoff of the season 100 yards for a TD.

[@tylerderdin7691]

The man averaged almost 4 TDs per game , by himself ! AND he sat out the 4th quarter in 8 games that season , just incredible.

[@caiusKeys]

Barry is an amazing guy...

[@killjoycola]

dont forget OSUs current headcoach was the QB at the time when barry played at OSU...

[@adampatterson5475]

Now that's a hell of a backfield

[@viviandarkbloom100]

Love ya Barry....a true Gentleman. and simply the most talented ever at the RB position.

[@The__Wanderer.]

They missed the fact that after the OU game, Willian Sanders got to meet Barry Switzer, which was the best part of the night for him, even with Barry putting up 215 yards and 2 TDs in a 31-28 loss.

[@s.l.nicholson4240]

Barry Sanders' Dad needs to get some perspective.

[@33moneyball]

This was 40 years ago…I’m sure he’s dead. It was a bad moment born of love for his son. You need to get some perspective

[@s.l.nicholson4240]

@@33moneyball: Hey, that's terrific.

[@otto5580]

He did the best he could. There are plenty of worse dad’s out there

[@lorenzohaynes3886]

It was a different time.

[@danschmitt2490]

Kinda funny... Because Barry gives his dad all the cred for his success... his dad was always with him. Guided him and instructed him.. there are clips of his dad on the sideline telling him what to do.. or giving him his thoughts anyways..

[@lonewolf1062]

Never show boated. Just handed the ball to the officials . Class act,

[@AL.BUNDY.]

Barry is never mentioned in the GOAT talks. But pls tell me which RB has done as well as he did with no offense, no QB, no offensive line and no defense on his side? Herman Moore and thats it. I could be wrong, but didnt he face like 8-9man boxes almost all the time? Barry was amazing.

[@BigDonch]

He certainly is mentioned in the GOAT talks

[@Aztecpwn]

He's 2nd in average rushing yards per game, 4th in career rushing yards, and a 2000 yard season. Who's leaving him out of the conversation besides himself and the people who think Jim Brown is the GOAT?

[@jasjfl]

He's never mentioned in the overall GOAT debate but I'd say he's one of the first mentioned in the RB GOAT debate. He's my RB GOAT and hands down the most entertaining to watch.

[@ckobo84]

They had three excellent receivers in Moore, Perriman and Morton. Two Pro Bowl offensive lineman in Lomas Brown and Kevin Glover. At least a league average defense with Ball, Spielman and Blades. The offensive line was at least league average as well. Barry was never going to simply run where the play was designed, he was always going to juke around like crazy. Which perhaps gave less discerning viewers the illusion the offensive line sucked.

[@rtk5847]

If he is mentioned, he is the Goat!

[@gucciblack2257]

2600 yards is insane bro

[@daviddiaz2007]

Barry Sanders probably the greatest running back of all time. My former boss was playing for Wyoming playing for the WFL and played for the NFl for three years and hurt himself and has a brace for for life. He said Barry Sanders was the greatest. Now for me he was a gentleman to hand the ball to the ref that was especially in the NFl for the Lion's. Now I say this he retired before his time. Emmit Smith played for the Cowboys and he had a good line. Barry didn't probably made the playoffs one time if that You couldn't get him for a loss. He juke twist and turn and make it a gain. Emitt Smith couldn't do that.Switch backs and see the results. He was very exciting and was humble. I loved watching him. A great example on and off the Field.

[@alant9517]

These highlights are literally unreal

[@AnassMadrinio]

Barry Sanders was an incredible athlete. His performance showed no decline as he aged-in fact, his stats improved. Remarkably, he rushed for 2,000 yards at nearly 30 years old. It’s unbelievable, especially considering he did this against the big, strong, and fast athletes of the 1990s.

[@muxz]

What still strikes me is that this is probably the greatest RB to ever do it in college and in the NFL but his humility. Well, it's out of this world. The field is littered with egos but this guy just hands the ball of to the ref the same way he just handed his Heisman to his parents.

[@trizzgreenery]

So humble

[@Mik-xq2co]

Greatest single season college season ever! Even with guys now playing 14, 15 or now even up to 16 games in a single season will be hard to match what Sanders achieved in a 11 game season!! He set 36 NCAA records that season, including, 7.6 yards per carry, over 320 total yards per game, 2,628 yards rushing, 3,248 total yards, 234 points, and 39 touchdowns in only eleven games. These totals don't include the five touch downs and 225 yards he had in the 1988 Holiday Bowl.

[@overdose956]

Crazy work!😮

[@words911]

Barry even looks fast sitting down in a picture

[@abelaldrich7831]

Unreal man Thomas and Sanders on the same roster wow

[@MyUserTubeAccount]

good grief he was a machine, Playstation numbers!

[@teddywilliams2083]

The true 🐐

[@carlosbernard5145]

The GOAT!

[@brianworkman9954]

Barry did not make the mistake. It is his life. The rest is history. Barry Sanders made the NFL a better place. What a historical career.

[@OkieAllDay]

Imagine if they counted his bowl game stats - where he rushed for something like 275 and 5 touchdowns!

[@tizzomr]

Crazy OSU had two HOF'rs in a row.

[@95NLESS]

Barry is our guy! GO POKES!!

[@patrickthomas8890]

Anyone who watched Barry play knows he is the greatest RB ever. Stat-nerds focus on numbers and have no idea about the intangibles. Other players have bigger numbers, but Barry Sanders never had a great O-line, QB, or passing threat to help him out. The Lions just gave him the ball and hoped for the best. I swear you could’ve put a high-school team on the field with him and he’d still light everybody up in the NFL.

[@jacobmeglich6699]

That Thurman Thomas story is one of the best

[@zukusenryu]

Averaged over 230 yards a game and 3.5 touchdowns per game… definitely the best season by any college player ever.

[@G-Blockster]

The most exciting run I ever watched was Barry Sanders during his sophomore (1987) year. The defense knew the play call and had it perfectly defended, so Sanders ran sideline to sideline, backwards, and forwards, eluding eight players to turn a negative play into a two-yard gain.

[@centrist1008]

This is a great video

[@softballhumanoid]

Barry Sanders was so good that Thurman Thomas led the nation in rushing and touchdowns TWICE at OSU and he's not in the conversation for best RB in OSU history. There's no conversation.

[@eugenew6717]

Sanders best rb ever,,,Brady qb,,,all around player Lawrence Taylor

[@robertmeszaros5439]

Iove the old osu logo.

[@johnclements9085]

And they didn't include bowl games back then, and seasons were only like 11 games

[@williamcooke6056]

I went to a Washington Husky football game against OK St. The RB was roasting us. His name was Thurman Thomas. After halftime, I see a new RB lining up, I'm happy they are calling off the dogs, right? Uh, uh! They put in a kid named Barry Saunders, and he tore it up. Long day for my Dawgs, they played well, but two too much HOF RB's to overcome.

[@Bigfishfun333]

They didn't call off the dogs, against the dogs, dog-gone it!

[@VandellMosley-x5i]

Good look pop's.

[@boombro4705]

Who’s the commentator, legendary voice

[@kylesanders5999]

shannon, deion, and barry all in one picture

[@ckobo84]

Why wasn't Barry Sanders a bigger success in high school. And if Barry Switzer had such an amazing eye for running back talent how did he go below his radar?

[@aaronmorton71]

His HS coach wouldn’t play him because he thought he was afraid of contact. Then his sr year they got a new head coach but the previous head coach had told the new head coach that he was afraid of contact. But by the 4th week (if I remember correctly) of his sr year his coach realized what a mistake it was not to play him. Then he took it by storm. He wasn’t recruited heavily because. He didn’t have much tape outside of like 8 games. Plus they ran the double wing t offense (gimmicky) and he was considered undersized. Thus only 2 offers.

[@rtk5847]

🐐

[@j-remy9832]

Thinking of Barry Switzer's view & opinion on Barry Sanders. I think he should've went to Tulsa. I think he would've eventually been a Cowboy with rings. Switzer would've got him out of Detroit.

[@aaronholcomb237]

Sportscaster Ed Murray's comment turned out to be a rhetorical question.

[@NoamPitlick-bg8kw]

Ask Troy Aikman what kind of coach Switzer was.

[@Bigfishfun333]

He's even better at being HUMBLE than he was at being a running back.

[@dennisrobinson8008]

Hes actually humble lol

[@Bigfishfun333]

@@dennisrobinson8008 A real hero. Humble. Fast. Can juke a line-backer out of his socks!

[@tonybaggett1984]

Barry Sanders is so humble and nice. But from all the stories I heard his dad seemed like a real as*hole. Sanders definitely had the greatest collegiate season in history. There may never be a better year in college football.

[@chiefgangmusic]

2,628 YARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@stanleysanders9099]

only 11 games and bowl games didn't count toward stats

[@chiefgangmusic]

@@stanleysanders9099 yeah I saw that, thanks. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around his combined total of 44 TDs. That’s an insane amount. Sometimes It takes QBs two seasons to get to that amount and he was a rb sprinkled in a couple kick and punt returns which I’m pretty sure that has to be the record still to this day. I’d have to look it up to be 100% sure but I can almost guarantee thats still the record. He’s a legend amongst legends. Respect 🫡

[@ChiefCedricJohnson]

Psalms 119:143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.

[@chief2e1]

Why does his father at 4:55 look so angry that Barry won the Heisman Trophy?

[@Bigfishfun333]

Barry (uh, Switzer) has a very long shadow.

[@jaymoret7418]

Today he wouldn't win because they'd say he didn't face "top defenses" or play in the SEC. He'd be considered "over-rated." They'd give it to some one-legged SEC RB.

[@NoamPitlick-bg8kw]

For a dad not to support his son is a disgrace.

[@2011hwalker]

his dad is a weird lame dude, its so clear.

[@PoorRick]

Idk how this dude didn’t win the 2016 election

[@keshonbull9275]

😂😂

[@willstar8095]

They don't make them like that anymore

[@tew_329]

What do you mean arguably? 2,600 rushing yards. Even the greatest greats never did that. What argument? You know he's a bad man when opposing coaches wouldn't want an all Americans backup to get on the field.

[@williamwatashe8258]

Shuky duky

[@lightingbolt8148]

Dad was an ass, it wasn’t about you Dad, it’s about your son.

[@Bigload992G]

Watched this FL again and feel 4 BS. I get his Pops his OG, but DAYUUUUM!!!!!!!! One of the BEST ever and his luv for OU and Jim Brown was ridiculous. Only Walter Payton is ahead of Barry to me. Jimmy B isn’t even close to those 2 guys

[@victorevanssr.5034]

Father's can be wrong as well

[@chewyismycopilot788]

The only thing more impressive than Barry Sanders football talent was his humility. His father did a great job raising him.

[@selfintrest332]

What a jerk his dad was

[@chriswhit44]

Horrible father.

[@kylegoodreau2170]

its kinda crazy that OU didnt even try to recruit him ...he would've been awesome on the sooners back in the 80's

[@willsummers1245]

Why did he play for osu who sounds like his Dad was the smart one