The Game Where Fans Realized Barry Sanders Was Not Human (Lions vs Vikings)

In week 13 of the 1991 NFL season the Minnesota Vikings hosted the Detroit Lions in a battle for the NFC Central This game marked one of Barry Sanders most memorable moments as the running back rushed for 220 yards and 4 touchdowns.
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#lions #vikings #skol

[@markmeyer6800]

I’m so glad I grew up watching Barry. I love the running game and the 90’s were a great time to watch running backs. Barry will always be the 🐐 in my opinion!

[@kenbridgeman8590]

Bears and Walter Payton fan here. Very privileged to see both these men play so many times. Barry was special.

[@ufcknockouts07]

Agreed

[@iamfree5981]

From a Cowboy fan… I couldn’t agree with you more. The whole world knows he would’ve left Emmit behind had he not retired

[@kenwesaw1944]

Emmit smith was a plow horse compared to barry

[@mypostyart8989]

I miss using him on Tecmo Super Bowl

[@mattdorlaque8611]

Barry was the best ever. No one got lower. He will always be the most entertaining back in history.

[@Midv1322]

For sure the most entertaining. Him Payton and Smith are all 3 the Goats imo for different reasons. With Adrian Peterson getting the most talented nod from me. If he wasnt hampered by Injuires and missed multiple full seasons he could have gone down at the number 1 spot. Such a beautiful combination of power and speed. So much potential that never gotta fully realized(He's still had a great career regardless)

[@jamiecurry9823]

lol love barry but emmit was was just as good

[@Midv1322]

@@jamiecurry9823 Barry was way more athletic and made crazier plays in terms of making people miss. Emmitt was amazing at finding holes and had some of the best Balance I've ever seen. If you didn't wrap Emmitt up he wasn't going down. Dude could regain his balance from any hit. A game against the Gaints he damn near went sideways and somehow got his feet back under himself. Barry,Emmitt, and Walter Payton are the GOATS and trying to pick one is pointless to me.

[@jamiecurry9823]

@@Midv1322 lol love them both they my 2 fav rb

[@joeboo8626]

If he played for Dallas, he would have 25-30k rushing yards. Best of his era. What's most impressive about backs like Sanders, Smith, and Payton is how great they were for so long. So many of the "best" running backs over the past 20 years: they could be considered the best one year, and retire 2 years later (AP an exception). Sanders was the best player I've ever seen. Only Rice comes close.

[@luisponce7433]

They used to say if you put the 10 greatest running backs inside a phone booth, Barry would be the only one to make it out.

[@threatassessment606]

Technically they wouldn't quite fit

[@Iambriangregory]

@@threatassessment606 technically your answers are relevant and stupid

[@leroyjenkins1380]

Lol i just pictured that. Funny

[@slipknot6789]

Sure he would, if Jim Brown was carrying him on his shoulders.

[@outlaw26aow61]

I think this is MJ talking about Larry Bird!

[@dporter8537]

I watched every game day when he was playing Man could stop and turn on a dime then go 0 to 60 in a second thru a small glimpse of daylight There was no other like him

[@txaggievet]

Imagine if he had played on a good team!

[@blackbiker1961]

And never won nothing the Lions SUCK

[@juniorandpattymacarthur9752]

@@txaggievet imagine if he played more than 10 years....

[@garyyidsen6574]

@@txaggievet Imagine if he had help 😂

[@zulufucxs1373]

The closest player we’ve seen have the same shifty run style was shady McCoy but he definitely didn’t have the same explosive runs as Barry though no one ever will.

[@artmeddaugh6669]

As a Detroit Lions fan, and an avid football fan, I knew Barry wasn't human his Junior season at Oklahoma State in 1988. He shredded Big 8 competition, with 4 games over 300 yards rushing. 2,628 rushing yards and 37 TD's total...For the season! Barry shattered 34 NCAA records in 1988 on his way to the Heisman Trophy. As far as the NFL goes, the game I realized Barry wasn't human was the last regular season game his rookie season in 1989. The Lions were at Atlanta, and Barry was dominant! He had 20 rushes for a whopping 158 yards, which is 7.9 yards per rush, and 3 touchdowns. But the most impressive thing to me is when the Lions had the ball in the 4th quarter and one of their coaches told Barry that he was only trailing the NFL rushing title by 10 yards, and asked if he wanted to go in and get the rushing title, Barry declined and stayed on the bench, letting others get the final carries of the game. WHO DOES THAT? Nobody but Barry Sanders! The G.O.A.T.!!

[@williamgullett5911]

I'm a 50 yr Lion fan and loved Sanders but he was not as good as Walter Payton. No running back that was taken out of the game on 3rd down passing situations and at the goalline can be the best ever. Payton had just as many highlight runs, was maybe the best pass catching rb in history and was definitely the best blocking rb ever. Payton killed blitzers. And Paytons offensive line was worse than Sanders and Chicago had the worst QBs ever. The other team knew Payton was getting the ball and he still ran through them. Walter Payton is the best player in the last 60 years. People can have Sanders...Emmitt...Jerry Rice...the only player that is on the same level as Payton is Lawrence Taylor. I loved Barry Sanders but its really not that close to Payton. Watch some documentaries on Payton they are incredible

[@milt6208]

@@williamgullett5911 It's not fair to compare anybody to Lawrence Taylor. Thank Heavens for quarterbacks there has only been one like him.

[@williamgullett5911]

@@milt6208 LT would be the one guy I would put ahead of Payton

[@milt6208]

@@williamgullett5911 I saw Sanders play twice against Dallas in Detroit. That was a pure treat. I also remember going to the restroom and there were three lines. One to the toilets one to the urinals and one to the sinks and no one was washing their hands. But waiting in line these two girls were behind me and asked if they could come and use the toilet. I said sure it was okay to come in. I told them it was went us guys tried to go into their restrooms that there might be a problem. Boy have times changed.

[@calloway1968]

There's an old story about Sanders from OSU, when as a sophomore he was backing up Senior Thurman Thomas. While playing OSU, then Oklahoma head coach Barry Switzer cautioned his defense to take it easy on All-American Thomas because his back-up was better than he was.

[@absolutman8927]

John Madden had the best quote about Barry. "Barry Sanders has the most exciting 2-yard losses in the NFL."

[@davidtebout6789]

Cuz Barry had no lineman that could block

[@JMPedersen32]

@@davidtebout6789 Facts!! When he got a decent whole he would have long runs.

[@AlphanumericCharacters]

He refused to use a fullback too

[@supersexysega]

@@davidtebout6789 That's a false narrative but....

[@JoeGator23]

@@supersexysega Barry was one of the most "contacted behind the line" running backs ever to have enjoyed unlimited success... so, yeah, he had a great front line. Sure, man. The only reason Dallas' Smith rushed farther during his career was his front line, making Barry the better individual runner. Barry is king, and this is coming from a University of Florida fan that has met Smith in town on a number of occasions before he went pro ans skipped his senior year. Don't get me wrong, Smith is awesome and I'm still a huge fan... But Barry was a better RB based on his own merit and a master of his craft. Basically Barry was untouchable... a one in 1 Million player, literally.

[@boogitybear2283]

The 47 yard playoff touchdown run Barry made over Dallas was the play that put him on the Mountain Top. I’ve watched that play at least 1000 times and still get jaw dropped.

[@TheBlackMakoShark]

I was there and still have the ticket!

[@cordellsenior9935]

You, me, and the great Tony Casillas are still looking for where Barry went to when he ducked out of reality in one spot and seemingly reappeared in another place. Tony C. was SO bewildered he watched Barry disappear from in front his right shoulder (10 feet away), felt him run behind him and show up over his left, sending goodbyes. Only Tony's neck moved on his body, as his head turned in a 180, looking for where BS went. Never gets old. (Curtis Martin's highlight real has a similar run vs. The Patriots, where he spins Lawyer Milloy around like a top.) It's a "Yo, where'd he go?" move.

[@yourztruly9287]

He messed number 51 up

[@lunaticfringe896]

I don't know if it was THAT run or this run that is my favorite: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXelZJmMe9hmoM0 I just sat there going....how do you do that?!?!?! This guy has those two plays as top 3, as shown here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4qlgYaKltR_Z9k He puts his run against Tampa as #1, but I would put that at 3. Not that juking HOF John Lynch out of his shoes wasn't dazzling, but he's done that too SO MANY HOF defensive players, it's comical. LOVE BARRY....

[@michaellepley9589]

Me too and I'm a cowboys fan I saw it live on tv

[@FriedBnana]

I’m a die-hard Viking fan, but I gotta say I loved watching Sanders play…I’ve never seen anyone like him since. He was magical.

[@HughJass-jv2lt]

❤❤

[@paultrouskie1825]

As a lifelong Viking fan, I cringed every time Barry touched the ball. Met him once in a Vegas casino. Nice guy. Wish he would have gotten at least one ring.

[@straitjacket8319]

Always been a big fan of Barry if I saw think I would pass out.

[@SuperDetroit9]

@paul trouskie:he would HAVE gotten a ring,if Detroit hadn't have had this paralysis whenever going into RFK Stadium,and just"bent-over"for the Redskins in a 41-10 rout(after losing to the Redskins 45-7 at RFK earlier that year)after DEMORALIZING the Cowboys 38-6 ,in the Divisional Playoff a week prior!! See,the Lions were UNdefeated not ONLY at home,in the Silverdome,but UNbeaten INside of a domed stadium PERIOD!! Had the Lions overcome their terror of playing at RFK,the Superbowl that year was played at the Minneapolis MetroDOME,an enviroment where Detroit was INVINCIBLE!!

[@TheMichiganFisherman]

I wish he would've gotten at least a sniff of one. 1 playoff win. Detroit really blew it and wasted his talents.

[@kenspedding4594]

From here in the UK watching him was an honour, couldn’t imagine even trying to tackle him was like trying to catch smoke.

[@kpf8186]

I watched Barry play many times. Even with your own eyes it was hard to believe. Barry's body went to the left while his hips went to the right, incredible burst speed followed by a cut that was viscous enough to literally injure defenders as they tried to match his cuts. Barry would be surrounded by 5 defenders just to bust out of the pack and keep running. It was so unreal but it happened so often.

[@scottrackley4457]

Rod Woodson, and he never laid a hand on him

[@j.peters1222]

Barry Sanders was so insane to watch. It was like I was watching a player with ball bearings in his knees. I've never seen a runningback with his combination of speed, finesse, and ability to cut on a dime before or since. I miss watching him play. I'm a Packer fan but I always loved watching Barry. I have a similar attitude towards Calvin Johnson.

[@SlamTheSlammer]

Appreciate the love. We feel the same about Rodgers even with how many times he’s burned us. Too talented and productive to not just sit and watch and say “damn”

[@artmeddaugh6669]

@Chisom Kwubiri Saquon is a really good running back...when healthy. Saquon can't, and doesn't move like Barry at all. Saquon in 3 seasons has already missed 17 games, while Barry missed only 2 games in his first 3 seasons. Saquon has missed more games, actually more than double, already than Barry did(8)in his 10 year career. Aside from all the magnificent runs Barry had in his career, he was a unanimous first ballot HOF selection. 5 seasons of 1,500 rush yards or more, including a 1,880 plus, and a 2,000 plus. 2 seasons just shy of 1,500. The year Barry got hurt and missed 5 games, he still rushed for over 1,100 yards. Saquon's rookie season mirrors Barry's 2nd season in numbers, but Barry's rookie season, even with missing a game, was better than his 2nd season. Pump the brakes with the comparisons. Saquon has a long, long, long way to go to even be mentioned on the same level as Barry. In 2019, Saquon played 13 games, and rushed for 1,003 yards. In 1997, Barry gained exactly 2,000 yards in the last 14 games of the season, after only gaining 54 total in the first 2. 1 more game played and a 997 yard difference...LOL! There has been only one true magician at RB in NFL history, and his name is in the title of this video.

[@UnstoppableFPS]

D’andre swift is it

[@RoarOfWolverine]

You forgot about the bearings in his ankles? I have never seen another running back who can put so much stress on his ankles and not have them blow out. Ankles are really the weakest part of the runner’s legs and typically limits what a human can do when cutting and slicing their way down field. I remember seeing a picture on the cover of Sports Illustrated, I believe, that caught Barry making a serious stop on a dime while cutting back to his right. His ankles didn’t even look natural, proving that he was inhuman. With his feet flat on the carpet, his ankles were bent on a 45° angle to the field. Damnedest thing I have ever seen. I was never a Lions fans, especially since I live in central Florida, so I am a Buccaneers fan and the Lions were in the same division with the Bucs for many years when it was the Central Division, but I was a huge Barry Sanders fan. I watched him run live many times because they would come to Tampa once every season. I never missed Barry when he was in town. The only thing that sucks about Barry was his early retirement, basically handing the crown over to Emmit Smith, when Smith isn’t worthy to smell Barry’s jock strap. We all know that Barry was the best, but history will not record him that way, but he could have put that record far out of reach for the likes of Emmit, who just played for a team with a powerful lime that could open massive holes. It makes a big difference when you play for a three time Super Bowl team, as opposed to a middle of the road squad. For Barry to excel in Detroit really proved his talent. Could you imagine what kind of numbers Barry could have racked up on a team with a superb line, like Washington was at that time with their Hogs? Those Hogs opened holes a semi could drive through, allowing mediocre runners to get huge yards. Timmy Smith still holds the super bowl rushing record…. Timmy who?? Right. He was a nobody who was cut from Washington a year or two later. He wasn’t very good, but you didn’t have to be to scoot through those massive holes Joe Jacoby and Russ Grim blew through defensive lines. Barry’s record would be untouchable if he had a line that good, but he still could have smashed the career record with the Lions, had he played another two or three years. His father was an asshole, always telling him he’d never top Jim Brown.

[@j.peters1222]

@@RoarOfWolverine The Packers had the chance to unite Brett Favre with Barry Sanders. That combo would have been insane to watch.

[@spaceviking4966]

The most elusive running back in NFL history. Bar none. Nuff said.

[@rozieb2741]

If he had not retired and pimped himself after his prime like Emmitt Smith did instead he would have set an all time rushing yards record that would never have been touched.

[@pdstor]

Bo?

[@charlielindberg6188]

Ill take it a few steps further…..most elusive and greatest RB of all-time.

[@someperson8151]

@Baba Ganush compare their stats. Barry Sanders is better. A career 99.8 rushing yards per game. Sayers has 72.7 yards per game. A shorter career should see better averages, but Sanders had a high average sustained over a 10 year career. Sayers couldn't match that with his 5 years.

[@charlielindberg6188]

@Baba Ganush Gale Sayers…..I can respect that. You ever seen the movie Brian’s Song?

[@epickett63]

Barry was a JOY to watch... It was almost a good time to be a Lions fan... 🙂

[@clintbowers5524]

The ring you have to remember about Barry Sanders is for most of his career he ran behind one of the sketchiest O lines in the league

[@Slikk22]

Agreed. He even said himself that the reason he ran like that is because he was running for his life.

[@supersexysega]

It's a false narrative

[@skimpreza]

@@supersexysega It wasn't the worst line in the world but you could hardly say it was consistently good. They had a few good years where they really gelled but over Barry's 10-year career, his lineman accounted for 9 total pro-bowl appearances. Not stellar work.

[@supersexysega]

@@skimpreza Not going to really get into the pro bowl thing and how flawed/misleading that arguement can be especially on the offensive line. I am a Cowboys fan and have seen enough mediocre offensive lineman go there because of a fan base or reputation as often as they actually deserve to based on play. I think a much better evaluator is how long guys last in the league as starters and get paid when there contracts come up. Barry generally always had 4-5 guys in front of him that ended up being 10+ year starters. 10+ year starter and mediocre offensive lineman generally don't go hand in hand. Just having Lomas Brown and Kevin Glover gave Barry 2 of 5 for most of his career. They would also get help over the years from Bill Fralic, Dave Lutz, David Richard's, Jeff Hartings, Mike Compton, Doug Widell, Zefross Moss, Ray Robert's. He more often then not had average/good offensive lines. Sometimes very good.

[@stanreaper3080]

@@supersexysega I never really understood the "no o-line" argument. Glover was considered one of the best centers in the league. And he wasn't the only solid player on the o-line.

[@borood1188]

“Of all the players I’ve faced there was only one I feared, because he could beat you at any moment. And that was Barry.” - Reggie White

[@elmarko9051]

Packers fan here...never realized I was watching greatness on the other side of the ball. Imagine what Barry could have done with an above-average OL.

[@budyjames77]

@@elmarko9051 Did you know that the Packers actually had the chance to draft Barry Sanders? In the 1989 NFL draft Dallas took Troy Aikman with the #1 pick. With the #2 pick the Packers took an offensive tackle by the name of Tony Mandarich who turned out to be a huge flop and was released by the Packers in 1992. With the 3rd pick overall the Detroit Lions drafted Barry Sanders. Isn't that crazy??

[@muddywaters1472]

@@elmarko9051 Greatest player all time!!!

[@lunaticfringe896]

Ha! I WISH Reggie White played against a few of the earlier greats. Joe Greene once said that the only time he was EVER happy a player was injured and had to leave the field was when Donnie Shell pasted EARL CAMBELL and knocked him out of the game in 1978. Reggie's comment made me think of that...

[@mikepalmer2219]

But Erik Williams handled him pretty well. Lol.

[@thebroadwyz]

Barry Sanders may not hold notable records - but I still think he is the best pure runner that the game has ever seen, even to this day. I get others have their own opinions and I respect those. This is just mine.

[@JMPedersen32]

He could've had the rushing title but he decided to retire after 9 yrs. He was ahead of Emmitt Smith the year he decided to retire.

[@thebroadwyz]

@@JMPedersen32 I remember seeing a documentary about him and he said that the organization and culture of losing made him not enjoy the game as much and that made him retire. Sad how they couldn’t get many good players around him and absolutely ZERO good coaches.

[@tohitAC0]

He holds lots of notable records lol

[@thebroadwyz]

@@tohitAC0 my understanding is that while he has impressive stats and individual accomplishments such as multiple all-pro and pro-bowl selections, he does not hold the records he once had any longer. I could be wrong, and he might actually hold some obscure records for tackles-for-loss or negative yards from scrimmage…but that’s not what I was referring to. Are you aware of records he holds currently?

[@tohitAC0]

@@thebroadwyz a few off the top of my head are stuff like: most 1,100 .. 1,300 .. 1,400 .. 1,500 yard rushing seasons.

[@kurtmeyers3469]

I was lucky enough, my old man had season tickets. I watched Barry run live for 7 years

[@David-bf6pl]

Wow!.

[@kevinkinney5445]

Thats better than luck... that was a blessing. And that you appreciate the memory is an honor to your experience.

[@jameshigginbottom7977]

I don’t care what anyone says. Barry Sanders was the best RB ever. He retired to soon. He would still hold the record of most yards ever if he hadn’t retired so early

[@chrishandsome4267]

I’m a Cowboys fan I agree 100%

[@kdmecosolutions]

2nd best in my opinion Jim Brown was the best, but Sanders is a close second

[@jameshigginbottom7977]

@@kdmecosolutions I think both had a few good years left

[@chiwawa130]

He may have been the best at the time but I think you could say there were better backs since that. You can argue that Gale Sayers or Jim Brown or Tony Dorsett, Bo Jackson. Sanders was great but you can’t say there will never be any better. That’s unrealistic.

[@jameshigginbottom7977]

@@chiwawa130 Good point I am a little biased though

[@Jms3424]

Wayne Fontes’ playbook had only 2 plays in it…. Give the ball to Barry & punt

[@kelseyyates8812]

Or make it to field goal range and let Hanson take care of it. Jason Hanson is one of the all time leading scorers in the nfl

[@guyinpajamapants6892]

Lol. Nah they had Moore and Perriman too.

[@jameslinzmeier368]

Best RB of all time. The things I saw him do were just amazing. Growing up in Wisconsin...... still loved seeing him play. My kids watched some of his highlights and were blown away. If he had played on a good team I wonder how many yards he would have garnered.

[@williamgullett5911]

I'm a Lion fan since the early 70s...loved Sanders...but...he wasnt even close to Walter Payton. Sanders was taken out on 3rd down passing situations...Sanders didn't block...he couldn't catch the ball. Payton was a great receiver, a punishing blocker who tore blitzers up, and had a lit of highlight runs too. There isnt a better player in the last 40 years with the exception of maybe Lawrence Taylor

[@ripcanadams]

Maybe less cause the whole offense wouldn’t be based on him if they had a great offense and defense carried the load. That 91 team was pretty good overall just lacked a franchise QB.

[@JoeGator23]

Not yards, miles...

[@tohitAC0]

@@williamgullett5911 I'm of similar age as you, seen them both play. Sanders is still the superior runner. Also, he caught plenty of passes and blocked well. Sanders also fumbled less. Payton was a freak, but Sanders was even superior.

[@williamgullett5911]

@@tohitAC0 They took Sanders out on passing downs, he did not block ever, they took Sanders out on short goalline plays and Payton was the best blocking running back ever and great pass catcher who played every down. On 3rd and passing downs and at the goalline. Payton had nearly 200 more receptions than Sanders, more reception TDs, more rushing TDs, more total TDs, Payton was also a really good kick returner early in his career. Payton threw more TDs than any other RB(8). All better than Sanders.. Sanders had less fumbles, the only thing he beat Payton in. Payton was better than Sanders in everything else. I watched Sanders his whole career for my team, he wasn't close to Walter Payton. The problem with watching players is that everyone looks at the highlight runs...the highlight dunks...the ESPN Sportscenter clips that make a guys dunks and highlight reel runs cloud analysis of players. People fall prisoner to flashy plays and overlook everything else.

[@williamrodrigues2902]

Imagine what he would have been with an actual offensive line.

[@Rick-fe8xn]

Facts

[@ralph1881]

He didn't really need one... almost defeats his specialty. Let them pursue/make them miss/jets+juke stick. He turned chaos into beauty

[@lunaticfringe896]

True, but I don't think it was like his o-lines were always awful. Kevin Glover and Lomas Brown were both pro bowlers in, say, 1995. But I would have LOVED to see what Barry would do behind the Great Wall of Dallas (early to mid Dallas Cowboy o-line) or the '76 Raider o-line, two of the best o-lines EVER...

[@jamesbroomfield7799]

You see what happened once they gave him a fullback, he rushed for 2k yards that season

[@williamdavis9562]

He would have been a cheat code in a video game with a decent O-Line.

[@encognitusmaximus7598]

I was honored to watch him in my younger years. He was magic. My all time #1. I can only imagine the stats he could and would have amassed a few more seasons. Barring injuries. Love that dude.

[@jeffm3283]

Magic is a good word to describe Barry, I was a kid in the 90s and my family was Bucs fans. And the Lions and Bucs were divisional rivals at the time. But I would love watching Barry run all over the Bucs. I wanted the Bucs to win every game but damn Barry was just undeniable

[@bozimmerman]

Lifelong Cowboys fan here, but Barry Sanders was the best running back I ever watched. Dorsette had speed; Smith had the burst -- Barry had both, and the moves for which he's so famous. What a player....

[@lonnieeastin6401]

Also, a lifelong Cowboys fan. Yeah, Barry Sander was the worth the price of admission. Actually, Bo Jackson made a lot of runs that look ridiculous in hindsight. But, props to Dorsette and Emmitt. Much love, brothers. Much love.

[@brianmcintyre503]

@@lonnieeastin6401 as a life long eagles fan Barry was better but people act like emmit wasnt awesome. Emmit wasnt all the wall of Dallas. Dude could run. Both were special and I'm so happy I grew up in that era.

[@jumahbrady670]

Facts 💯

[@adonissantos2748]

I was 11 yrs old in 91 season. Watching Barry was a treat best running back ever seen

[@jumahbrady670]

Facts 💯 every thanksgiving we gave thanks for Barry Sanders

[@DanJoymonger]

This man single handedly made me a Lions fan back in the 90s. Still going strong as a Lions fan today

[@blackbiker1961]

Then you like losing teams

[@DanJoymonger]

It's called loyalty, something a lot of people don't understand

[@DanJoymonger]

Besides Bama spanking Miami right now

[@blackbiker1961]

@@DanJoymonger Loyalty huh wow ok to a bunch of losers' good you keep been loyal and I will keep my ticket money, now I see why the Ford family keep a losing team so you loyalists will keep the cash flowing.

[@DanJoymonger]

So you're a troll. Ok well take that negativity somewhere else please, thanks, bye

[@NoName-co4om]

Barry used to play basketball in the off season at the local community college by my house when I was growing up and let me just say Barry could’ve easily been a pro basketball player too. I would rebound for him sometimes and spot him up for threes around the arc and it would be nothing for him to make 9 or 10 in a row. He’s such classy humble guy!

[@jkbearhunter]

If Barry would have had an O line like Emmitt did in Dallas, he would have run for 70,000 yrds

[@brianmcintyre503]

Maybe 20k with 5 more years. He would have aged at some point. Hes my goat no matter what.

[@marshmangunnar9150]

Crazy to think of what could have been.... unfathomable

[@jasonlett6002]

Let’s not forget about Bo Jackson. He would’ve been up there as well if he didn’t get that freak hip injury.

[@marshmangunnar9150]

@@jasonlett6002 man ABSOLUTELY, to this day he's still the only one I consider SUPER. that's above what they call elite these days. Same with Terell Davis here in Denver, but he was elite as well.

[@rikk319]

@@marshmangunnar9150 So many amazing athletes' careers have been cut short by injury. Bo was probably the most obvious one. That guy had insane strength and speed combined. Barry didn't have his breakaway speed, but he had the greatest reactions and elusiveness of any back I've ever seen.

[@harlequin2280]

There have been running backs that had great runs. But no one else could consistently run like him. Think about it this way.... he made it worth it for anyone, fan or otherwise, to watch LIONS games...

[@fallback8314]

yup, what steph curry is to the NBA now, barry sanders was to the NFL

[@seanpratt4704]

Barry was the best ever, so elusive.

[@jtb3333]

If Barry Sanders isn’t the player that you wished you could have watched in their prime then who is?

[@stickjr.3715]

We might not of even of seen a prime Barry!. That's the scary part!

[@nottodayimbusy7146]

@@stickjr.3715 we got a glimpse of it he was in the middle of his prime when he Retired

[@redgty2385]

21

[@williamgullett5911]

Nobody was better than Walter Payton, nobody. And I've been a Lion fan since the early 70s

[@ShaunHensley]

I did watch him

[@cmacctron7787]

Growing up in Windsor Ontario across the river from Detroit, seeing most of Barry's games, no one come close to him . Everytime he touched the ball u knew something was going to happen

[@kielmaguire5121]

Damn blast from the past too. Rich Gannon handing the ball to hershel Walker? That's trivia level stuff

[@veniljackson47]

I forgot Vikings Rich Gannon I only remembered him in Oakland

[@kielmaguire5121]

@@veniljackson47 you and everyone else. I remember him there now that I was reminded of it. But still hard to picture

[@milt6208]

Back in the day everybody wished Barry ran behind Dallas's offensive line (instead of Emmitt).

[@MrRckstdy77]

Thats a dream Team offense. Give me 85 bears defense Terell Owens and Micheal Irvine and Joe Montana

[@milt6208]

@@MrRckstdy77 as much as I like the 85 Bears, there were a couple of Giants defenses with Lawrence Taylor I think were just as good. LT was a bad man.

[@supersexysega]

Casuals maybe. Barry is the best RB ever but playing in the Cowboys system wouldn't have benefited him like people think. Unless we are just talking about team success that's a given. He was way better in a spread system working in space. He also had way better offensive lines in Detroit on the average then people think he had.

[@jpalmtree5549]

Man I'm from Detroit I loved watching Barry play so much, I even wished he played with Dallas than maybe Barry could have won a ring. Lions suck but we are ride or die here in Detroit so Detroit Lions 2021 let's go.....

[@milt6208]

@@jpalmtree5549 For a Desert Rat like me I have been to the Motor City quite a few times. My Aunt and Uncle are from Toledo and I have a cousin who lives in Ann Arbor. I have never had a bad time.

[@kevin7151]

Excellent video. Sanders was the best running back ever. I am fortunate that I got to see him play during his years with the Lions. If you didnt see it, you might not believe it!

[@mikehamelin7520]

we are luck to have film of Barry. no one would believe you when you told them how amazing he was to watch. dude had the most yards lost from scrimmage and retired 3rd all time while also in his prime. his 2000 yard season was amazing too. he had 53 total yards by the end of week two and then dropped 2000 over the next 14 played games. Barry is my GOAT for RBS and its not close.

[@kielmaguire5121]

No one can actually put into words what watching Barry Sanders was like. Truly had to see it to believe it stuff. I'm at a great age where I got to watch Barry Sanders, Micheal Jordan and Ken Griffey jr all at the same time. The 90s ruled

[@kielmaguire5121]

Great video too

[@ClasherSports]

Same.. the 90s were it. it's so weird lookin back at how bad the quality of television was back then. In those days, everything on TV seemed okay to me but now comparing it to today, jeez 😂

[@kielmaguire5121]

@@ClasherSports everything on TV sucked then and now, except sports. Just my opinion. Only then the NBA was great and now its 3 pointers and flopping

[@LordBlackNephew]

Mr B. Sanders, on the behalf of your fans, we thank you for showing us great sportsmanship. BX STAND UP!!!

[@rrq4]

I was at this game. And a Vikings fan. Still am, but Barry became my favorite player of all time after this.

[@toddnobles5415]

I honestly thought his Heisman year was a fluke. I thought no way could anyone be that good. It looked too easy. Boy was I wrong I lived in Detroit when Barry got there. He was unbelievable

[@mikewazowski350]

It was a blessing to see Barry Sanders run, imagine if he was on a good team back then.

[@wallyman292]

I moved from my home state of MI to central IL after graduating college in 87. Throughout Barry's career, I could only catch maybe 2 games a season (when they played the bears), plus maybe another nationally televised game if I was lucky. In 99, I was able to move back to MI as a teleworker, and was really looking forward to being able to watch Barry on a weekly basis. Of course, that was the year he ended up retiring. . . :

[@reedsawyer5704]

I was blessed to see Barry in his prime. When he was playing, you were ALWAYS on the edge of your seat, because you never knew when he was going to do something jaw dropping. The most FUN player of all time.

[@thebrotasticbro9465]

This quickly becoming oneof my favorite KZbin channels

[@rickycole6327]

This was how great he was for his NFL career he averaged 100 yards a game and 5 yards a carry lead the league in rushing 4 times .only back to to have 2000 yards in a season in both college and NFL when he played he could make a 5 yard loss absolutely breathtaking on the Mount Rushmore of running backs if he wanted to he could have ran for 20,000 yards.

[@patrickmorgan4006]

Actually, Sanders came up just short of 100 yards per game (99.8). I believe that Jim Brown is the only player to average more than 100 yards per game (104.3), he averaged 5.2 yards per carry, and led the league in rushing in 8 of his 9 seasons. I don't mean this to be a negative comment about Sanders, certainly not with his greatness, it's just an FYI. No one comes closer to Brown than Sanders.

[@marchingduck7881]

I wish I could have watched Barry Sanders when he played

[@ThatDoesntWorkForMeBrother]

Watching Barry Sanders play was like seeing a real life version of player from the Madden games with a 99 rating in speed, agility, break tackles, and overall ability.

[@nanditoamaya]

Mannnn Barry Sanders was MORE than amazing when he played I’m glad I was born in the era to witness that man do greatness

[@amgfresh154]

Same

[@billydakid71]

🐐🙌🏿

[@champhasfanz]

It was awesome everybody got to watch him on thanksgiving for sure but man watching Barry was amazing you never knew what was going to happen he would make highlights on an eight yard loss

[@froggy7570]

Met Barry while working security at a Hilton resort back 2010 for an NFL charity golf tournament. Walked out at 7a.m. after my graveyard shift and saw Barry walking towards our Pro Shop alone with his golf clubs in tow. I said "Hey, Barry... good morning sir and nice to meet you!" "You are one of my all time favorites!" He thanked me in such a truly humble manner, then I said to him "Too bad, at the time you didn't play for a better organization." To my delightful surprise he responded with a hysterical laugh 😃 He was the best 👌

[@tizodd6]

I loved the way Barry "hopped" around in the backfield. He had such a unique, light running style. He could switch from being a ballerina, to bull in a glass store, to a rocket, in the blink of an eye. I HATED when people would compare Emmitt Smith to Barry back in the day. Not that Emmitt was bad...but Barry was on a whole other level. Emmitt had Michael Irvin, Troy Aikman, and a bunch of other awesome guys on the Cowboys offense, to take the attention off Emmitt. Barry had Barry's field IQ, and amazing athletic ability. No comparison.

[@SpencersStuff1777]

I was born in 1995 so I never got to watch Barry. I also have never seen my lions win a playoff game or their division 😩 I hope Dan Campbell and his staff can bring this team somewhere

[@rudythompson7377]

Dan Campbell is taking Detroit NOWHERE!

[@SpencersStuff1777]

@@rudythompson7377 we won't know that until he actually starts his tenure

[@rudythompson7377]

@@SpencersStuff1777 8 penalties on 11 plays this past preseason game. Same old lions...

[@SpencersStuff1777]

@@rudythompson7377 okay

[@rudythompson7377]

@@SpencersStuff1777 okay

[@petebrown6356]

Nice job. It was truly "the Barry Sanders Show"....miss it.

[@jeffbrown6533]

Years ago on Thanksgiving Day I remember watching the Lions and I was watching Barry run & I had never seen a football player run like him! I was amazed & I haven't seen anything like him since!

[@thulsey022]

I'm a Dallas Cowboys fan and a big Emmitt Smith fan. Emmitt was great regardless of the O-Line. Barry was and still is the best I've ever seen...hands down no contest close the book. My Top 5 #1 Barry #2 Walter #3 Emmitt #4 Jim Brown and #5 Marshall Faulk

[@JoeGator23]

I'm a loyal Gator and Dallas fan from way back in the day. Emmitt used to work part-time at a local deli here and I would see him around town and even at a few parties. It has been great following his amazing career... I'd still pick Barry. He's the most dynamic highlight runner in NFL history. Sir Walter is his equal, both at the top- and Walter could throw touchdowns. Pretty much the same order as yours. I always liked Earl Campbell's smash mouth style, too, as he crushed defenders up the middle. Fearsome dude, and quick, too.

[@john214351]

I wo put jim brown ahead of emmit

[@Twelvehourpowernap]

I agree, and while I would not rate Emmitt above Barry, I do think that Emmitt Smith is being underrated now because of that famous offensive line of Nate newton, Larry Allen, and those guys that were so good that people forget how good Emmitt was too. Shaking defenders in space makes for great highlight videos, but knowing how to set up your blocks and being able to get in rythm with your lineman are two huge parts of being a quality RB and Emmitt was as good as anyone at those two aspects of the position, and he had some wiggle to him also. Frank Gore is another one that comes to mind who really had a knack for setting up his runs

[@sadusattack2628]

As a Lions fan it was such a shame to watch a great career go to waste. If only he was on a decent team!

[@MrFinbarz]

So the Lions sucked nut his career wasn't wasted. Look at what we all got to watch! On a more accomplished team with better personnel he might not have been used in the same way, certainly not as much.

[@DonRamiro1]

He WAS on a decent team but ownership sucked. William Clay Ford didn't have the sack to fire Fontes until it was too late.

[@Uknown_Studio_LLC_US]

Berry Sanders was awesome and I looked up to him because he had no fear and found amazing ways to never give up and having giant of men miss him from being tackled.

[@keithdior1657]

80s baby born & raised in Detroit bad boys pistons, motown music, motor city cars and BARRY it was beautiful

[@racehemi426425]

Barry was the best running back of all time easily. Every running back who ever played would admit that. He might be the best football player of all time

[@tigerpunch3402]

On and off the field combined? OK, I'll give you that. He's the goat.

[@shalice8455]

As a former Vikings fan I'm not surprised its against the Vikings. He destroyed us over and over again. He was fun to watch even when he was on the other team.

[@tohitAC0]

Don't worry, he humiliated the Bucks even more 😄

[@Detroitraised]

As a NFL and Detroit Lions fan for 30 years, and still going…I have yet to see someone like #20. A true rare talent. Best ever to lace them up so far.

[@gejjamp]

The number of defenders that broke their ankles, lost their jock straps, and fell down missing Barry Sanders is uncountable it is so high.

[@mikehunt7888]

Imagine if he had Emmitt Smith's offensive line.

[@lonnieeastin6401]

That is true. The horses that Emmitt was running behind? Whew! He had amazing longevity, though. I think Jimmy Johnson told Jerry... "Well, we can run this offense, but we're going to need a new running back every 3 to 4 years."

[@supersexysega]

Yea let's take a guy who thrives in space and have him run behind a fullback between the tackles all day? He was a far better fit for Detriot in a spread offense. Allowing him to work in space. Also he generally had a way better offensive line then most people think. In 1992 the Lions legitimately had a crap offensive line but they lost 2 starters one death and a career ending injury heading into that season. In 1993 they went out a fixed the issue in free agency. Marshall Faulk on the Colts. Marshall Faulk on the Rams. Same guy drastically different results.

[@lonnieeastin6401]

@@supersexysega Interesting fact. They would design a running play for Barry Sanders. And then go... "What about that defensive guy?" Oh, don't worry about him, Barry's got that guy.

[@supersexysega]

@@lonnieeastin6401 You're expected as a high level RB to win your one on one. You can't block them all. Now Barry is the best at making people miss and if someone made a one on one tackle against him there was he general surprise.

[@rogerjohnson586]

Anybody remember Steve Jordan and Mr perfect the perfect te

[@ThatDoesntWorkForMeBrother]

I remember that. Lol

[@ClasherSports]

Mr Perfect WWE? was this that old WWE commercial where Perfect throws a football and runs and catches it?? lollll

[@ClasherSports]

I just searched it, had no idea it was Steve Jordan. Those were the best Mr. Perfect clips. Remember the hockey one where he's in net vs Mike Modano and saving all his slap shots or the pool shot where he knocks in every ball LOL

[@kevinkinney5445]

Absolutely, my favorite all time running back . He was like a 3 way combo of Dorsett, Dickerson & Sayers . He literally broke the ankles of more defensive backs than any other player. How great would it be for Sanders to be resurected in the present era?

[@anthonybrod5559]

Awesome pics of Barry.

[@m7silvestri]

"Berry Sanders has caused more missed tackles in his 10 year career than any other running back to date" is just a sugar coated way of saying that he has broken more ankles, and shins, than any other football player.

[@tublisvaj8966]

I’m a packers fan every time they played each other, I rooted for sanders when he got the ball. Same with randy moss too. Those two players are unbelievable when they got the ball I know I not supposed to rooted for them but u just can’t help it. Lol

[@maal75749]

You’re not alone. I’m a Packers fan and Sanders is my favorite player of all time. Was a fan of Moss, too. Obviously, not when we played them.

[@seandafny]

Theres footage of Brett Farve doing the same mid game

[@marshmangunnar9150]

Definitely 1of1.... my guy NEVER showboated either. Just a class act.

[@armyvet8279]

I used to watch the Lions and Barry every Thanksgiving. Looked forward to it every year.

[@walterbrown9079]

Barry Sanders one of the most underrated running backs in the NFL history the one year that the Lions did get to the NFC championship game against the former Washington Redskins Barry Sanders was already grounded and pound but one of the things you got to remember about him you can stop at once you can stop in twice but if you can't tackle this guy he could take it to the house and leave you broken hearted !

[@executive6951]

Not underrated at all 😂 where did you get that from lol.

[@LordDefekator]

Underrated? Not at all. This dude is a LEGEND, nobody argue that. He's considered by many as the best RB in history.

[@executive6951]

@@LordDefekator but he’s not the best. Jim brown or Walter Payton are

[@LordDefekator]

@@executive6951 Thats debatable

[@executive6951]

@@LordDefekator I don’t know about debatable. Jim brown playing in the 60s during segregation, and owning so many records. Than Walter which his career speaks for himself

[@johntaylor3471]

This guy walk away when he was still at the top of his game. He had at least 3 to 4 good years left.

[@ripcanadams]

Watch the dvd from his book, he admits that he felt he was beginning to lose a step and the daily grind of practice (under Ross) and 10 years of punishment was catching up to him and he never wanted to play even one game with a reduced skill set. He never believed the National narrative that he had a lot of years left. At least not at his top level.

[@truth8036]

Born in 84 first time I saw football I saw Barry Sanders in 89. As a young boy I didn't know much about football I just knew I wanted make ppl miss like number 20. Because of Barry I've bn loyal to Michigan sports since I was 5. (lions, tigers, pistons, wolverines, shock, red wings all my teams hate Michigan state naturally GO BLUE!) I have his college n pro jerseys a book wit bout 5 pages of Barry cards front n back I've had since a kid n refuse to part with. His shoes my brother met him at a book signing n he signed a card for him which I have also. There is only one running back that ever mattered Barry the goat Sanders....he's also my sons favorites after I showed highlights n rewatch old lions games

[@truth8036]

Every number for every team I played for I wore 20 to this day I still put 20 on anything I have to assign a number to my damn pin is 2020 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@ClasherSports]

I was a huge red wings fan... Stevie Wonder, Fedorov, Makarov... 90s was Motown

[@loriesh.383]

They don’t make them like this anymore the best to ever play the game. Also a very humble man.

[@Pheardom]

A Lions fan living in Minneapolis at the time, I was at that game. :D

[@Sean-jb5gi]

A True GOAT does NOT need HOF, All-Decade team members, 100 year All-Time team members as teammates to be GREAT! Im looking at you Brady and Rice

[@Breakfastclub1985]

I’ve never seen anyone be a pin ball the way he could take a hit, stay low, shuffle his feet to stay up and get away from the defender and then break away and keep running almost full speed within the next second after the hit. Truly remarkable! GOAt

[@CoolHandLou420]

Great video!!! Great narration!!! Barry Sanders is a legend!!!

[@animoetprudentia2865]

I'm Mich born, but in 91' I was living in MPLS. From the kitchen window of my cheap, 4th floor apt you could see the roof of the Metrodome. We had free basic cable, so I watched the game on my little TV. The fact that the Lions were just blocks away made it really exciting. At that time it was the closest I'd been to witnessing a live Lions game. 2 yrs later I was able to go to game at the silverdome, but in 91' I was too poor to even dream about it. Barry was the best pure runner to ever carry a pigskin, and the humblest superstar in the hall of Fame.

[@OhNoTwisted]

Every new season, as a Seahawk fan, I knew that I could watch Barry Sanders on Thanksgiving. One of the football highlights of each year. I also had a recording of every Barry Sanders game that was televised in my area. Not because I was some crazed fan. But because every game he played he did something that looked like it needed to go into a highlight reel. His runs weren't just entertaining, they were otherworldly. Best combo was getting a Barry Sanders game that Madden was broadcasting.

[@Dr.Kevorkian]

Born and raised in Detroit and I was lucky enough to see every game he played in. Greatest player to touch a football.

[@maprokop81]

Except when they didn't sell out the silverdome and home games were blacked out lol

[@Dr.Kevorkian]

@@maprokop81 true but we had season tickets. Even when there were only 15 people in the stands haha

[@jgringo5516]

You still alive Dr. K

[@davidca96]

Barry was perfectly built for his position, insanely strong legs low center of gravity, and the ability to use those legs to stop/change direction so fast you couldnt react in time, then EXPLODE sprint away even the guys upfield couldnt get him. He was to me the best runningback that the sport has ever seen. His extreme emotional balance also made him so admirable, he never showboated never spiked the ball or danced, just calmly gave the ref the ball and prepared for his next play. Will always be my favorite football player.

[@gwedoh69]

While I am a cowboys/Emmit fan , Barry Sanders could easily have been the NFL's all time rush leader. I was disappointed when he retired. #Goat #20 🐐

[@mightyminx6653]

Thats a great thing to say . Especially coming from an Emmit fan..lol I agree with you .

[@borood1188]

There will never be another.

[@seanm3226]

Barry Sanders actually has the NFL record for most career negative yards (1,114) rushing.

[@georgesimon1760]

I was SO disappointed when Mr. Sanders retired. And I was a Bears fan. He was so much fun to watch and the best RB I've ever seen going back to late 70s.

[@johnathanwalker8395]

What most people forget when looking at raw numbers of Barry vs other top number back is. He did most of is with a below average line and not much of a passing game to offset his running. Teams loaded 8 in the box every down against him and his line and TEs let guys in the backfield unblocked. Yet he still had one of the best YpC of all time. And put up incredible stats.

[@jordansmith7919]

Barry sanders and marshall faulk two of my most favorite nfl players to touch a football.

[@dutchschultz3076]

Much love from Detroit

[@Uknown_Studio_LLC_US]

The best all time in my book.

[@rebelgreen3209]

Barry was the best. Nobody struck fear in the hearts of defenses like Barry Sanders. He carried the Lions for 10 years and they were a very bad team without Barry.

[@jr9655]

I was 15 for this season. It was my 1st time following the NFL. Years later I called this a great Lions team and my uncle laughed me out of the room. I am glad to see that you agree with me

[@ClasherSports]

Ask you uncle now.. haha

[@Play2Win1958]

Barry the BEAST ! Terror of the midway

[@johnnystephenson6908]

He was simply the best no one was even close or will ever be close to

[@mrdiscrepancy]

AYYYYE THE CROOKLYN DODGERS INTRO!! “We did it like that and now we do like this…”

[@michaelvaldez5453]

The definition of elusive and agility. Sheesh

[@400brian]

As a Packer fan, I watched Barry in awe. The Packers, like many other teams, would hold Barry to short runs for much of a game. Then late in the games, Barry's runs would become longer and more dynamic. The defensive players would look like they were running in mud. The guy was an absolute beast!

[@WisGuy4]

Barry Sanders may not be at the top of the list from a stats perspective, but he was always the most spectacular running back to watch. No one else had his moves or quickness.

[@jumahbrady670]

Facts 💯

[@kcbroncohater]

He made my Thanksgiving watching him play.

[@dirtybirds6205]

Great video

[@user-rq3sw8sj5n]

I’d argue that Barry Sanders is the greatest RB of all time. Jim Brown had a good line where as Barry had nothing his whole career. That’s what separates him from the rest, he was still able to win games by himself, something no other RB could do. He would hv had the most yards of all time if not for the Lions sucking the will to play from him.

[@davidprice9295]

Growing up a Vikings fan in this era, you couldn’t help but to admire Barry Sanders. Easily my all time favorite running back.

[@joehahn8817]

I got to see Barry against my Redskins. He only had like 35yrds the first half but finished the game with like 140yrds...lol. It was kind of surreal because the whole stadium would cheer every time he broke one even though we were all Redskins fans...lol. A friend of mine had two season tickets and gave me my choice to go to any home game I wanted to that year, I picked Redskins vs. Lions just to see Barry.