Legendary RBs take sides on the Emmitt Smith-Barry Sanders debate

#NFL
Legendary RBs take sides on the Emmitt Smith-Barry Sanders debate

[@crossefire01]

Emmitt was outstanding. Barry was otherworldly.

[@Pureblood1776]

Well said 👍🏻💪🏻

[@romeo8334]

Emmit has the record , he had the heart that's what really makes him the best ever

[@Pureblood1776]

@@romeo8334 Rudy had heart, he's not the best football player in Notre Dame history

[@romeo8334]

@@Pureblood1776 he was mindboglin

[@icomment7715]

@@Pureblood1776 Rudy is in fact the best football player in Notre Dame history

[@joehenry1031]

Barry wasnt just the best back , He was one of the best players in the NFL. EVER.

[@safeandeffectivelol]

Won 1 playoff game his entire career Let's look at the other BEST. EVER. Lawrence Taylor - 2 SB Joe Montana - 4 SB Jerry Rice - 4 SB Walter Payton - 1 SB Tom Brady - 7 SB Reggie White - 2 SB

[@elbowgang9715]

​@safeandeffectivelol when did Reggie White win 2 super bowls? You're a jealous prick who obviously creams for Emmitt

[@mjfj82]

​@@safeandeffectivelolbest player doesn't mean most successful player.

[@safeandeffectivelol]

@@mjfj82 Most highlight reels doesn't mean best player. Michael Vick had plenty of amazing highlight reel plays. Joe Montana and Tom Brady look pretty boring. Which were the best QB's?

[@mrmacross]

@@safeandeffectivelol Considering how terrible the Lions franchise has been, the fact that he helped the Lions win even one playoff game can go down as a tremendous accomplishment. It's their one playoff win in over six decades; without him, they have zero playoff wins in the Super Bowl era. EDIT: FWIW, that one playoff win was against Emmitt Smith's Cowboys....

[@sparty94]

as a lion's fan i can tell you barry had more great runs called back due to a penalty than any other back in history too.

[@E_Cleazy]

Agreed...

[@kylegordon3675]

and he holds the record for most runs for a loss too. just like Brett Favre has the record for most interceptions. For most people throwing interceptions or getting tackled for a loss, they dont play long enough to get a record. The reason these guys did is that they were SO GOOD. Barry is as good a running back as any that ever played. And all this respect from a Bears fan.

[@stop....hammertime]

@@kylegordon3675 I'm in William Perry's belly. Come here

[@treeoctopus9005]

He would get the ball and do it again

[@LucianDevine]

@@kylegordon3675 Yet somehow averaged more yards per carry than Smith, despite those runs for a loss.

[@michaelhagen2712]

I’m a Cowboys fan and watched both players throughout their careers, and I love Emmit, but Barry was on another level.

[@AtumRaAmun]

If Barry Sanders played on that Cowboys squad and Emmit played for the Lions, this would not even be a debate about who is greater. Put it in that perspective.

[@firstnameanonymous9374]

Barry would have had multiple 2,000 yard seasons.

[@go24team]

If alot of players played on different teams their production would have been different. It is what it is.

[@go24team]

@patrick sapanaro doesn't have to be. Number one yards is good enough! 😜

[@TheSteelBearings]

@@firstnameanonymous9374 walter

[@matthewsmith1779]

@@firstnameanonymous9374 He almost did even with the shit line he had and basically the only offensive threat on his team.

[@dwightsanders1335]

Hands down Barry Sanders was in a league all to himself. The best pure runner I've ever seen hold the football.

[@sidneyrash9718]

No doubt about it sayers and sanders

[@georgesimon1760]

​​@@sidneyrash9718 unfortunately never saw James Brown or Gale Sayers play but Sanders is the best RB I've seen play, and that includes Emmitt smith and even Walter Payton.

[@sidneyrash9718]

@@georgesimon1760 ok mr simon you mean jim brown not james brown or you being funny we totally agree on barry sanders them other to you mention affer barry anyboby guess

[@georgesimon1760]

@@sidneyrash9718 whoops yea I meant Jim Brown.

[@sidneyrash9718]

@@georgesimon1760 ok mr george simon so glad we can reason whit each other senseable so take care maybe chat whit you again so take care god bless you and family

[@CycloneJack]

I've watched football from Franco Harris and John Riggins' time to today. Barry Sanders is, hands down, the best pure runner of any back I've ever seen. One of the classiest and most professional, too.

[@brickjames2916]

He also holds the record for most yards lost behind the line of scrimmage. Tell the whole story!

[@rudysal1429]

@@brickjames2916 His line was horrible and his team wasn't much better. Tell the whole story!

[@mattosso7676]

@@rudysal1429 Agreed. Emmitt was a product of the system he was in. Huge holes to run through, the most potent passing attack in the game to keep defenses from stacking the box and a defense that caused turnovers and gave the offense more TOP. I'd even take Payton and Jim Brown before taking Emmitt.

[@joshuahendricks7701]

How many is that? What’s the record? THAT ISNT TRUE!!

[@snwlcke3]

@@rudysal1429 His line had Lomas Brown and Kevin Glover on it...ten pro bowls between the two of them. And Detroit had a winning record in games Barry missed 4-3. Dallas had a 1 - 6 record without Emmitt....Tell the whole story

[@Rivet_Head242]

This should not even be a conversation. Much less an argument. I've seen Sanders . Smith was great. Awesome. Sanders was simply just next level spectacular !!!

[@squattingnomad6298]

Barry did lose yards a lot. Yet, he still averaged more yards per carry than Emmitt. Ponder that.

[@thegoat9320]

N that's deep. The little things 🤔

[@nabi4241]

.8 yards...

[@antj2k1]

@@nabi4241 uhh yeah almost an entire yard which is significant

[@nabi4241]

@@antj2k1 not really because he has over 2 thousand more yards then sanders and he having a debate... u speaking in hypertheticals.. Emmitt actually played so we know wjat he was capable of.. what if Barry blew his knee out

[@antj2k1]

@@nabi4241 No, I'm not. just look at where Emmitt was up to when he played the same amount of years that Barry did.

[@DeeboX-vv8ji]

Same here, I'm a Cowboys fan, but Barry Sanders was SPECIAL.

[@johncapo2843]

COACHES LOVED EMMITT video game fans loved Barry one knew the value of a 3 yard run for a first down, the other was always looking for home runs. Even his own coaches use to take him out at goal lines because he would lose yards dancing 5 yards in the back field. it was worse in the playoff when defenses would zone him towards the sidelines. he would run out of bounds or get HIT trying to reverse back he made it hard for the team to put a consistent O' Line around him, because he would zag when the plays called for him to zig (holding, tripping, illegal use of hands to the face) which also led to O'Line injuries.... no one mentions that

[@uria2001]

@@johncapo2843 perhaps you have a case with the goal line. As far as injuries to the OL thats subjective and you could never prove that. Emmit didn't need to dance as much because he had gigantic holes and mostly just had to beat an arm tackle. Emmit was the bulk of the Cowboys' offense, but they did have a great offense even without him. Lions had Barry Sanders and that's it. if he didn't dance as much as he did they would have been even a worse team. I'm not one to dismiss what Emmit did. He was great. So was Barry. They were in very different situations that it's not a fair comparison to either one to say who was better.

[@jasonandrews1770]

The biggest difference is that emmitt always made it to the line before the defence hit. Barry was getting hit in the back field and still went for a 60 yard td

[@coachmikesfilmroom3111]

Barry wasn't always getting hit in the backfield when breaking a long one. He was in a run and shoot system. They ran draws most of the time suckering DLine up field for Barry to run through em. The lions had the best passing team in the league during Barry's time and Defenses couldn't key on Barry because of the system, they had to stay in dime defense. Emmitt was the focal point of the Cowboys offense. Every defenses job was to try and stop Emmitt to beat the Cowboys. which is evident since when Emmitt didn't play, the Cowboys couldn't win a single game. As Tomlinson said, if you want to win, you take Emmitt. Barry was a drive killer. giving ground to make ground, lead to some amazing runs, but more often killed his teams drives by taking a major loss instead of getting 3. Emmitt was the complete back, who was the best option for every situation. Barry couldn't do short yardage or passing downs. There's a reason when Barry retired Emmitt had 26 more TDs having played one less year that Barry at the point. And Emmitt is the only player in history with 2 20+ TD seasons heck lets look at competition. The Lions were in one of the weakest divisions in football back then. The Cowboys were in the toughest division in football history 7 Superbowls in a 10 year stretch and two of the all time greatest defenses in Philly and NY, with another great D in Washinton and heck even the Cardinals had some good defensive years when Ryan coached em.

[@LoLLoL-mm6tt]

@@coachmikesfilmroom3111 so are these 2 the top 2 running backs of all time? Or you got Jim Brown?

[@coachmikesfilmroom3111]

@@LoLLoL-mm6tt Walter and Emmitt are two. They did everything. Jim Brown was amazing and a freak of nature in that era, but he refused to catch or block.

[@jasonandrews1770]

@@hdhlddh as many as the cowboys have this century. Super bowls are a team award son

[@jasonandrews1770]

@@hdhlddh played behind one of the best o-lines of all time with a hof qb and reciever. Not throwing any slander on his game. But he wasnt near as crazy as barry

[@dknapp100]

When you strip away everything, nobody, including Emmit, deep in their soul, can deny Barry Sanders is the most gifted RB. EVER.

[@4Realones-]

...When you strip away everything? Lol 😂😂😂😂😂

[@dknapp100]

@@Thebloodynerve Who are you "quoting"? Yourself? Most gifted RB. Ever. Pretty simple.

[@asnark7115]

You forgot about Adrian Peterson. There isn't a coach or co-ordinator in history who would pick Barry over AD.

[@dknapp100]

@@asnark7115 no, I didn't forget AP. He's insane. There are hours & hours of videos of coaches, players, fans from outside Detroit, who pick Barry. Don't believe me. Go watch them for yourself. They are abundantly easy to find.

[@jamesanthony5681]

@@asnark7115That's not true. By a long shot....

[@adamelam6385]

Barry was on a different level of talent.

[@jonlanier_]

Best thing about Barry... he'd hand the ball off to the ref when he got into the endzone. He acted as he belonged there, not throwing a tantrum of excitement because he didn't think he would ever do it or be there ever again.

[@adamelam6385]

@@jonlanier_ if he ran behind Smiths offensive line at Dallas his numbers would be even more impressive.

[@nathanlawson313]

Facts

[@firminorules]

When Emmitt was in pop warner, he led the league in rushing. His offensive line, huh? When he was in high school, USA today voted him the GREATEST FOOTBALL PLAYER IN HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY!!!! That was his offensive line again, right? In college he broke every record in Florida history in 3 years when it took everyone else 4 years. His offensive line again? In the NFL, he broke every record there ever was. His offensive line again? Jesus, can this guy ever get any credit or is it always his offensive line? Idiots.

[@adamelam6385]

@@firminorules yet somehow Barry Sanders's prime was still more impressive despite being on a much worse team. He was their only offense unlike Dallas which was loaded and they still couldn't stop Barry.

[@luisponce7433]

They used to say, if you put the best running backs the NFL has ever had in a phone booth, Barry Sanders would be the only one to make it out. lol!

[@nathanlawson313]

Almost. It was, if you put Barry in a phone booth with 11 defenders it would take 2 minutes before anyone laid a hand on him

[@joelpartridge2509]

Unless there was a knife in the phone booth....

[@joelpartridge2509]

@@nathanlawson313 I don't know about Nathan OJ would be in that phone booth also...lol

[@emmitbrown5631]

Smith was an extremely talented RB. But we know special when we see it. Barry was beautiful to watch. I'm not a Lions fan, but I'd proudly wear a Sanders jersey. Dudes a class act as well!

[@deuceb8472]

Barry almost a yard more per carry with much less talent in front of him. Smith is of course a HOFer and a champion but Sanders was in a different class.

[@seansimms8503]

I'm finally able to give Emmitt his credit, he was no Barry, but Barry wasn't him either...I hated Jimmy Johnson and Irving and all the Cowboys back then, lord I really hated them boys, they were good and knew it, Barry was in a class by himself in those days, he made a below average team potentially dangerous, I won't fault Smith for playing behind those O lines, as a hater in those days nothing pisssd you off more than seeing a huge hole opening up in the d line and seeing Smith blast into the 2ndary and back field unmolested, the first thing we'd say is man my mom could of ran through that hole which may have been true but she wouldn't of scored like Emmitt did, he wasn't the fastest back but he was an extremely strong runner.

[@bigwitt187]

I thought I was a Lions fan, but once Barry retired I stopped caring. They'll always be shit as long as the owners keep trying to rely on one man to carry the team.

[@shaunphillips3236]

@@seansimms8503 U can't blame Emmitt for having the line he had BUT he had 1,400 more carries for only 3,100 extra yards?! That said, he had a HOF 1. Coach 2. QB 3. WR 4. O-line 5. & defense Barry had none of that & was still much much better than Emmitt

[@bobbyshaw2419]

You know special when you see it 💯

[@InvestBetter.]

In a Bob Costas interview, Emmitt was very gracious, as Bob asked him who was better, and he had no problem admitting Barry was better. Emmitt was a great running back, but he had an offensive line that Barry on dreamed of. His talent, and that line, kept Emmitt healthy longer, so he could set the all-time rushing record. Barry could've had the record, but he was tired of losing all the time.

[@joshuahendricks7701]

Absolutely false. Emmitt came to THE ABSOLUTE WORST TEAM IN THE NFL!! Or did you forget Dallas’ 1-15 1989 season. One of the worst teams in NFL history. Barry did not. Dallas was also the worst team in the league in 1988. Barry had a 1000 yard receiver his rookie year. Emmitt did not. Barry had a Pro Bowl lineman before Emmitt did. Lomas Brown made 7 consecutive Pro Bowls, Kevin Glover made three consecutive Pro Bowls and they played a combined 33 years in the league. Barry also layer in the number one offense in the entire league in 1995 something Emmitt NEVER DID and to this very day the NUMBER ONE RECEIVING TANDEM IN NFL HISTORY OVER TWO YEARS 1995 and 1996. Emmitt was the ONLY PRO BOWLER ON THE COWBOYS ROSTER his rookie year. Barry was one of FOUR his rookie year. Detroit also ANNIHILATED the Cowboys in two games by a combined score of 72-16 in 1991 including knocking Dallas out of the playoffs. BOTH of BARRYs Backups had 100 yard games filling in for Barry in 1993 and Detroit went 3-2 in his absence. Dallas went 0-2 without Emmitt in 1993 and NONE of Dallas’ running backs gained 100 yards. The ABSOLUTE MYTH that Detroit had a bad line came from 1991when they lost TWO starters forever in Mike Utley and Eric Andolsek and were forced to sign retired players off of the street and even played a TE at Guard one game. Detroit invested HEAVILY in their OL in 1993 signing three HUGE lineman to 5 million dollar contracts including another Pro Bowler Bill Fralic. Barry NEVER EVER did it by himself!!!

[@InvestBetter.]

@@joshuahendricks7701 Thanks for the ignorance, but after the Herschel Walker trade, where the Cowboys got 12 players back, they rebuilt their entire team, and I watched as they rebuilt their OL, and dominated the league for the next 5 years. The Lions didn't have Aikman, Irvin or Jimmy Johnson. it was Barry or bust

[@joshuahendricks7701]

Awwww what’s the matter kid? Did the truth hurt? You had to delete my post because facts just aren’t your thing? Once again Detroit was BETTER THAN DALLAS in 1988,89,90, and 91. That’s an irrefutable FACT!! It wasn’t until 1992 that Dallas became a better team than Detroit. Wayne Fontes was 2-1 against Jimmy Johnson. Dallas got DESTROYED by Detroit by a combined score of 72-16 in two games in 1991 including getting knocked out of the playoffs!! Herman Moore had 610 catches for 8500 yards and 57 TDs in eight years playing with Barry. Irvin had 692 catches 10,800 yards and58 yards in TEN seasons playing with Emmitt. Brett Perriman andHerman Moore are TO THIS VERY DAY THE NUMBER ONE RECEIVING TANDEM IN NFL HISTORY OVER TWO YEARS 1995 and 1996. They had 433 catches for 5500 yards and 36 TDs. During their time in Detroit they combined for 1038 catches for 13700 yards and 82 TDs. Like it or not BARRY HAD MORE HELP OFFENSIVELY THAN EMMITT!!! Facts don’t care about your FEELINGS!!!

[@ckobo84]

The back that can consistently get positive yards is more conducive to winning. If you want hit or miss that's what the passing game is for. Sure Barry averaged 5 yards per rush attempt, but teams average 7 yards per pass attempt. So again if you want erratic hit or miss just pass the ball, you'll average 2 more yards per attempt then handing it off to the erratic Mr. Sanders.

[@davidmanning2859]

Emmitt also had a HOF qb and WR that made it hard to focus on just the run game on d.

[@alancraig3756]

I've been a Cowboys fan my whole life and loved watching Emmitt Smith As amazing as he was, and he truly was great, I would have to say that Barry was better.

[@ladarrellhickman4742]

I'm a Cowboys fan as well and it seems like all the cowboys fans are saying basically the same thing Barry the goat!

[@jpeezie3192]

Respectfully agree 100%

[@rediculousrapper]

If you guys would have had Barry in his prime then I would have hated you about 20x more than I already do lol

[@dariusthegr8one81]

Barry was easily better. The man had to run for his life every time he got the ball. Emmitt meanwhile could run through the most gigantic holes the nfl has seen lol. That o-line was incredible.

[@izzydatniggarealtalk]

Walter was the greatest

[@BGizzle8098]

They gotta be nice on the show. It's Barry hands down. Period.

[@nickward2499]

I wont even entertain arguments against this statement.

[@Maal7432]

It ain’t hands down.

[@BGizzle8098]

@@Maal7432 OK. 🤣

[@bigghoww]

@@BGizzle8098 he's right it's not hands down. It's hands, feet, elbows, head, shoulders, knees and.........

[@carlossosa1359]

@@Maal7432 people tripping cowboys wouldn't have 3 chips

[@DariusJones05]

If Barry didn’t walk away early, he would own the records.

[@thegreat1271]

woulda coulda shoulda 22 did facts

[@DariusJones05]

@@thegreat1271 I don’t dispute that lmao

[@mikehuynh1103]

@@DariusJones05 Barry would've ran 2000 yds every year if he would've had the Cowboys offensive line

[@DariusJones05]

@@mikehuynh1103 truth

[@sugardrey2067]

Record would be out of reach.

[@zaskarclf]

No one ran like Barry. NO ONE. Especially when you watch replays in slowmo, the mind cant fathom how hes able to contort his hips and cut like that with suc quickness and power.

[@chadportenga7858]

Medical professionals still scratch their heads trying to comprehend how the human body can do what Barry did. Some of his moves shouldn't be humanly possible. Perhaps they aren't and Barry is really just a superhero disguised as a running back.

[@TheJoe676767]

Real Talk!!

[@juanpalos6864]

I'm a Cowboys fan. I grew up watching the 90s Cowboys but meditate on this question. If you switched teams, would each one have accomplished what the other one did? I think Emmit is great, but there is no one better than Barry.

[@johncapo2843]

What have you been drinking

[@johncapo2843]

COACHES LOVED EMMITT video game fans loved Barry one knew the value of a 3 yard run for a first down, the other was always looking for home runs. Even his own coaches use to take him out at goal lines because he would lose yards dancing 5 yards in the back field. it was worse in the playoff when defenses would zone him towards the sidelines. he would run out of bounds or get HIT trying to reverse back he made it hard for the team to put a consistent O' Line around him, because he would zag when the plays called for him to zig (holding, tripping, illegal use of hands to the face) which also led to his own O'Line injuries.... no one mentions that

[@bigsletchagain4184]

@@johncapo2843 Aw yea you smokn that hard C Like Michael Irvin Barry Sanders was on a terrible team Emma Smith was on one of the best team ever Now put Barry Sanders on Dallas, Cowboys, and put Smith on the lions Its not even close and Barry Sanders alone, would have made Dallas virtually unbeatable Sanders proved he didn’t need a legitimate offense line. You cannot make the same statement about Emmitt Smith neither have you ever seen it In a all time draft of running backs, Barry Sanders will be the 1st to get drafted HANDS DOWN

[@allanhee]

Jimmy Johnson said that Emmitt Smith was the best running back in football because he did what was necessary to win. He called Barry Sanders the best runner.

[@calebd.1463]

@@johncapo2843 you are correct, how many -8 yard games did Barry have, especially against above average teams. The NFC East was the conference for 8 seasons, every game was a big game for the Cowboys during that span. I think Emmitt on the Lions would have gained over 20k in his career.

[@Hades-in5jy]

All legends but Barry's highlights are Jordan like.

[@peteasarisi2536]

I can't find a single Sanders postseason highlight. Not a single play.

[@Hades-in5jy]

@@peteasarisi2536 I bet you can't name a single player on those Lions teams either. Know what that means? He was by himself.

[@peteasarisi2536]

@@Hades-in5jy how much we betting?

[@Hades-in5jy]

@@peteasarisi2536 I'm not betting anything what's your point? That he's not good because of post season appearances or performance. Listen to his peers and that should conclude this discussion.

[@peteasarisi2536]

@@Hades-in5jy your comparing him to MJ who was the greatest postseason threat in NBA history. What's Sanders career total rushing yards in postseason? 65??

[@crewcab1984rv]

Emmitt Smith always acknowledged that he thought Barry was better than he was, Emmitt said "he loved to watch Barry"

[@meenamjah]

about the only RB that could maybe say they're as good as Barry is Adrian Peterson, maybe. both are total freaks of nature.

[@yeahboy28100]

Mr. Emmitt is a humble guy. I cant choose. They both had brut run skill set. I do give Sanders more elusiveness!! But, the big question is that is if Sanders had that front line what would Barry do? I love them both, so dont ask me!!🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️👍😂😂

[@TheRealist1.]

@@yeahboy28100 if you had the chance to watch both, you know it's Sanders. Emmitt was a great runner, but we can't deny that he ran behind arguably the best collection in history. Barry didn't have that luxury, and he never had the supporting cast that Smith had. They'd load the box up on Sanders, and he'd have to make something out of nothing. Do that against Dallas, and they had "The Playmaker", Novacek, and whomever was on the other side that year. I'm not an Aikman fan, but he was more competent than any QB Sanders had.

[@TheRealist1.]

@@meenamjah ever heard of Jim Brown?

[@evilwayz1464]

Just checked Jim Brown stats and he had way less rushing attempts,like half, and over 12,000 yards rushings. Never hit that 2000 yard season though. He did hit 1800 yards 1 time & 3 1500 yard seasons though. Just checked O.J. Simpson too 😯 he hit 2000 yards in a season. Had another of 1800 but missed 4 games 😧 Goddamm! That boy killed it. Similar numbers to Jim Brown.

[@anthonycaruso2248]

Read this to know how truly amazing Barry Sanders is as not just a player but as a person. I went to Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights Michigan with 5 of my friends in the summer of 1991, we were in 7th grade. We went there in the early afternoon on a weekday when the mall was not busy to go to a huge arcade inside the mall named Tilt. Standing outside of the arcade stood Barry Sanders. To a 7th grader it was like a meeting a superhero. He was not there to play games, he was there to meet us and any other kids that were lucky enough to go to the arcade that day. It was just the 5 of us talking with Barry Sanders. He stood out there and talk to us about all types of subjects including football and school for at least 30 minutes. We were all so in awe and having so much fun spending some time with him that none of us thought to even get an autograph. That's the type of attention he gave us. He honestly seemed like he enjoyed being there with us. I remember his thighs were as big as my waist, he was amazing on TV but he was so much larger in real life. I only wish that we carried cameras back then because who would believe such a famous and gifted HOF athlete would go to the mall by himself just to make some kids day. That is who Barry Sanders is as a person, he is so much more than his amazing talent, and that's why to me he will always be the greatest running back to ever play the game because he showed us it takes more than just talent to be truly great.

[@jasonandrews1770]

Scrolling through the comments seeing all this love for barry. Glad we got some educated people in the comments

[@justcheek9701]

funny

[@ashton1440]

@@justcheek9701 r u a cowgirls fan

[@marcus9872]

King Emperor you should be the last person calling them cowgirls fans💀

[@ashton1440]

@@marcus9872 why

[@ashton1440]

@@marcus9872 why?

[@chrisa3289]

Lifelong Cowboys fan, but Barry is the goat

[@ashton1440]

Thank you

[@themcgboys6433]

I’m a lions fan. Yes Barry sanders was awesome.

[@nickcoker4293]

Exactly right! Emmitt Is definitely one of the top three or four anyways

[@contramundum2.0paradigmshi10]

You don't look old enough to have watched either RB play LIVE. Barry was OBVIOUSLY great but Emmitt is the GOAT. And I'm a VERY biased lifelong Cowboys fan.

[@ashton1440]

@@contramundum2.0paradigmshi10 well you’re wrong

[@snowthapro816]

Life long chiefs fan. Barry Sanders is my all-time favorite player. The boy had ultra instinct.

[@JB-fp5ud]

Chargers fan here - absolutely without a doubt it’s Barry !! Imagine if he went to Dallas instead of emmitt

[@capatis7310]

Maybe even the best player in NFL history period.

[@antwandukes]

​@@capatis7310pretty close.

[@joshlewis575]

​@@capatis7310still the most unique player ever. Nobody has ever come close to the shake Barry had. Dude would make pros look like fools consistently. Glad I got to witness him

[@rodneymathews6775]

Emmitt is good friends with Barry and even he admitted that had Barry not retired, he could've EASILY been the NFL's first 20,000 yard back

[@APR702]

Barry retired BECAUSE of the lions . So did another legendary wide receiver

[@AmirKhan-yv8jm]

Calvin Johnson aka Megatron

[@bonefixer8675]

True that

[@timberlinhvo]

Lions had two players that are ARGUABLY the best at their positions EVER. Such a waste!

[@tobia.1281]

Trash organisation

[@Veaseify]

@@timberlinhvo The Bears had Gayle Sayers, Dick Butkus and Mike Ditka all together in the 1960's - thats a HOF RB, a HOF LB and a HOF TE - they never had a winning season. Teams need more than superstars to be successful.

[@ezizen]

Barry! The man is probably also the best representative of sportsmanship in any professional league, ever.

[@davep1103]

E-V-E-R ! And behind him ??????? The Newest Hall Of FAMER.... MEGATRON ! Same sportsmanship !

[@n.w.owhoknowstheshadowknow58]

Brady and Barry are an absolute credit to the NFL

[@BBBYpsi]

Detroit has had some of the classiest people in all the sports. Football-Barry Sanders Hockey-Gordie Howe ,Steve Yzerman Baseball-Al Kaline,Ernie Harwell (Ernie was a announcer) Boxing-Joe Lewis,Thomas Hearns Basketball-Dave Bing Olympics-Shelia Young & Greatest Olympian ever Michael Phelps (U of M)

[@humblebeginnings8328]

Absolutely my man. 💯

[@5jump]

@@BBBYpsi I would throw Marvin Hagler in there too

[@bmschmitzer]

C'mon, people. Emmit Smith had a great career. But, it's Barry. Period. And, with all due respect to Emmit, it really isn't even close.

[@user-kh1vn9nc5y]

Wake up bro. Emmitt had the better career

[@bmschmitzer]

That's a stupid person's argument. Of course Emmit had a better career. But it's not a question of who had a better career. It's a question of who is the better running back. Yeah, Emmit had more success because he played on a better team (a much, MUCH better team) with an unbelievable offensive line, a phenomenal passing game to open up the box, and an all-time great defense to limit the opponent's time of possession. Not only did he play on a better team, he played for an extra 5 years with that team. While Barry wallowed for a decade with the Detroit Lions, the laughing stock of the league.. Nobody's questioning who had the better career. I have nothing but respect for Emmit Smith. He's one of the all-time greatest. But if you think that translates into who's a better RB, you are straight-up out of your mind, batshit-crazy. Like I said, it's Barry. And it isn't even close.

[@user-kh1vn9nc5y]

@@bmschmitzer did Barry catch passes? I don’t think he had more than 35-40 catches tops. I basing it on not just as a running but an all purpose back. Emmitt is way better

[@carlossosa1359]

@@user-kh1vn9nc5y point exactly cowboys without emmitt not getting 3 chips emmitt was a complete back

[@samgunz1]

Is Aaron rodgers way better than Tom Brady?

[@mohnjarx7801]

Barry averaged 1500 rushing yds/season. At his avg of 5 yds/carry he would have had another 7k yards so even cut that in half he still passes Emmit with the same attempts. Official GOAT.

[@skullyready7786]

Not in touchdowns tho fuck yards score what wins games

[@vchism712]

Emmitt scored on average every 27 carries...Sanders was closer to every 31. Emmitt was more reliable per play for positive outcome. They're both GOATS.

[@mohnjarx7801]

@@vchism712 I hear you. Emmit was the man too but I'm surprised they were that close on carries/td because of how good Dallas offense was all around

[@vchism712]

I was surprised too since Emmitt had to share touches with Irvin, Harper, Novacek, etc.....just shows how tough Emmitt was in short yardage.@@mohnjarx7801

[@chadportenga7858]

@@skullyready7786 That's because Wayne Fontes always put his backup in for the 1 & 2 yard scores. The Ford family couldn't afford to lose Barry to an injury, so he was rarely allowed to play at the goal line.

[@MrBiscuit75]

Barry was a once in a generation...maybe lifetime type player. There are only a handful of nfl players that I can honestly say it was a pleasure to watch him play the position in a way I've never seen it played before or since. Granted I'm only 44 years old so there's some greats I didn't get to watch play but barry did things no other player could do on a routine basis.

[@kylebrister7608]

I was a huge Emmit Smith fan. Emmit was as versitile as any back the ever played. And as a Saints fan, I never saw Barry have a great game against my team. But thanks to the benefit of you tube, I have grown to realize Barry Sanders is the greatest running back to ever play the game. He wasn't just elusive. He was also a tackle breaking machine. The man had talent on loan from God. I don't know that we ever see another guy as awesome as Barry Sanders.

[@ericbutler739]

As a Giants fan who got shredded by Emmit often, I agree. Barry was the best runner I ever saw. Running against those Saints was no simple task lol. I don't want to sell Emmit short though, he was going to be a star on any team and was as clutch as they come, always found a way to the first down or end zone. Both truly all time legends.

[@kylebrister7608]

@@ericbutler739 Totally agree, why should we have to pick between greatness? I'm just happy to relish the greatness I was blessed to watch. Speaking of which you Giants fan. How about Lawrence Taylor? But you mentioned the Saints. We had our own version of Lawrence Taylor in Ricky Jackson. You know the Saints could have had Jackson & Taylor in the same draft. How devastating would that have been to have LT on one side & Ricky Jackson on the other side staring at you on third & 10?

[@ericbutler739]

@@kylebrister7608 Your LT was Swilling lol. Though Rickey was a devastating end too. To me, Jackson was more like Doleman,a tweener. There is a famous story from 86 when the Giants were playing the Saints and Parcels gushed all week about the #56 down in NO. LT responded with a huge game and the Giants won. Yes LT and Jackson would be crazy, but you still had the best 4 LBs possibly ever

[@SDesWriter]

You already did. Payton was equally as good. Jim Brown was the OG and while it's impossible to compare him due to the level of competition, he might have been every bit as dominating as both of them.

[@kylebrister7608]

@@SDesWriter I loved to watch Walter Payton work. Pound for pound & think Walter Payton was the greatest player who ever played the game. Jim Brown was just a devastating beast who was as big as just about any lineman trying to tackle him & just as fast as any DB trying to catch him. he was a little before my time, but his films harken back to the true brutality of the game as well as Walter's. You guys won't get an argument out of me about any of these four guys. They are the Mt. Rushmore of running backs.

[@papadre70]

im a life long Cowboys fan Dorset and Smith my all time Favorites. But Barry was something out a video game. Imagine if Barry ran behind that Massive offensive line he would probably have had 25k rushing yards

[@rollotomassi4768]

I love the run where Tony Casillas is running the wrong way looking left and right for Barry.

[@wagglewiggle]

Imagine sanders running behind Larry Allen. I feel that's enough said

[@bigred9991]

@@wagglewiggle Barry got hit in the backfield because he couldn't run between the tackles, hints why they took him out on goalline runs. When he did try and run it up the middle he would always try to break it outside and get tackled for a loss. He had 3 probowl offensive lineman for the majority of his career. Plus he had H. Moore as receiver to keep the 8th man out of the box.

[@johncapo2843]

COACHES LOVED EMMITT video game fans loved Barry one knew the value of a 3 yard run for a first down, the other was always looking for home runs. Even his own coaches use to take him out at goal lines because he would lose yards dancing 5 yards in the back field. it was worse in the playoff when defenses would zone him towards the sidelines. he would run out of bounds or get HIT trying to reverse back he made it hard for the team to put a consistent O' Line around him, because he would zag when the plays called for him to zig (holding, tripping, illegal use of hands to the face) which also led to his own O'Line injuries.... no one mentions that

[@wowzers69]

@@johncapo2843 Barry sanders way better... Wake up ,. everyone knows it

[@zzxmookysxzz4103]

Barry Sanders PERIOD!!!!

[@gladius1275]

Emmitt looked like a guy maximizing every bit of his talent. Barry looked superhuman and otherworldly. With his running style, he should have suffered 200 ACLs, but I can only think of him being injured once in 93. There is only one running back that you can’t find another you can compare to and it’s Barry Sanders…. Peerless, one of a kind.

[@chrisjones5245]

You meant defensive players ACL Injuries from trying to tackle him.

[@cedrichaggerty5415]

Couldn't have said it better

[@LuisSanchez-cz6bv]

Well written🙌👏

[@joshlewis575]

This always blows my mind when I watch Barry's highlights. The fact that he ran on that old shitty turf for probably 80% or more of his career and never blew a knee out with his style is astounding. Dudes ligaments and joints were different

[@SDesWriter]

You're high if you don't recognize that Payton was every bit as good, just in different ways. Less of a long run threat, better at getting the tough yards every play. Payton was a better receiver, backup quarterback, and played punter one game. He was injured LESS than Sanders and played more years. Both are equally great at what they did, but they were different types of threats.

[@doctor721100]

I agree with LT...Everyone knew that if Barry had the same line as Emmitt, Barry would have had unreal numbers.

[@the_rap_minstrel2557]

Defenses also knew Barry Was Getting the Ball. Herman Moore was their only other offensive threat.

[@cscarly]

Barry less numbers cowboys . remember minus been more .

[@jacofan86]

people seem to forget that Barry had a very good offensive line with a great fullback, too. Watch those Barry highlights again. He made some great runs out of nothing but there were some monster holes for him as well.

[@MrButlerec]

If Emmitt was running against the nickel defenses they were using against the Run&Shoot back you can reverse that theory.

[@lincolnward85]

Anybody arguing something other than that is either foolish or biased

[@benrivas9155]

There will never ever be another Barry sanders. If you were lucky enough to watch him play it was something special. The highlights of today are just a taste of what that humble man did on the field, even though he lost a lot of yards it was because he was literally running for his life most of his career as to where a lot of great backs had better O-lines Barry ran off instinct a genetic god gifted talent as to why he was such a sight to be seen on the field and the fact that records meant nothing to him and was a class act makes him the Goat.

[@RyJsLn]

3:57 "there were times Barry got taken out at the goal line". JUST STOP. Barry got taken out at the goal line because the Lion's coaching staff was utterly incompetent. This is well documented.

[@treyabbey2766]

In 1989, Barry had a chance to win the rushing title as a rookie. He was asked if he wanted to go back in to the game to take the lead. He said no, let Christian Okoye win it. Barry finished 10 yards behind Christian. Humble.

[@Idlax1004]

Both were amazing, two different styles. Emmitt had one heck of a stiff arm and was a true leader in the locker room. Barry was so elusive and could really make something out of nothing better than any RB that has ever played.

[@brendan_nelkie]

Barry all the way!!!

[@johnnypopovich905]

Emmit ran behind one of if not the best offensive lines to ever play together.....barry had nothing and no one

[@dougnewman3935]

Emmitt's among the best of the mortals, tough as nails. Barry is on the immortal scale with maybe Jim Brown alongside.

[@bigghoww]

And Bo

[@carlossosa1359]

@@bigghoww naw hell nah

[@brainspin7518]

a most Interesting way comparing the two lol. I'll give you a 10 for creativity....Hades vs. Zeus.

[@davep1103]

NAWWWW ! BARRY AND BO ! HANDS DOWN !

[@DG-sc1yu]

@@davep1103 I'm going Sanders and Payton.

[@ponchburciaga7668]

Barry have pride self respect and he's da best he don't need attention He knows it.

[@TruthPrevails89]

Barry Sanders is the GOAT. Period. And I’m a Chargers fan.

[@joesoto690]

Chris I am a Chargers fan also. Emmitt Smith is the GOAT. The man did not quit. I watched the Chargers shut Sanders down.

[@TruthPrevails89]

@@joesoto690 Smith was just consistent and played the longest. An all time great, but not the best.

[@joesoto690]

@@TruthPrevails89 I respect your opinion brother. That is why we are fans!

[@joeraguso5376]

@CTB Gimme Walter any day

[@bigwitt187]

@@joesoto690 I'm a Lions fan and I don't blame Barry for quitting. He didn't want to play for another team and the one he was playing for wasn't going to get better because the owners are completely fucking clueless. Better to get out while he's still healthy since he never cared about records. We all know he would own the rushing record if he had kept playing.

[@tugginalong]

Walter Payton is my favorite back. He played every down like it was his last. He blocked well, caught the ball well, and ran great.

[@Mradamronel]

Probably the best football player ever…not the best RB.

[@clydeclyde5024]

Growing up in Detroit i was able to watch Barry day in and out. Definitely one of the best running backs ever. And an extremely humble guy!!!

[@43captrexkramer]

Were you old enough to watch Billy Sims? he was fantastic in his own right.

[@mobetta2092]

I'm a Detroiter as well. It's ridiculously sad how we had arguably the best running back and wide receiver (Megatron) to have ever played and they both left the game for the same reasons, which was essentially incompetent management.

[@43captrexkramer]

@@mobetta2092 Couldn't agree more, I a Giants fan but if your a football fan of any team you enjoyed watching both of them.

[@eddienash2095]

This isn't even a debate. Barry Sanders is the best Running back that ever lived....Period

[@nineteeneightynine432]

Can't argue with a 5 yards per carry for a career with over 3000 carries.

[@joeraguso5376]

Walter Payton has an argument. He played with way worse talent, and he played at Soldier Field which has the worst sod in the league. Plus, Walter was a much better blocker and receiver too.

[@rossdickens8578]

Hell No Sweetness

[@arnoldjack7956]

Goddamn right! And all these commentators know it!

[@arnoldjack7956]

@@joeraguso5376 ok I'll put Walter in a close second after Barry because he had heart 💜

[@Ken_Scaletta]

all I know is that Barry Sanders was my favorite player ever to WATCH.

[@puppethound]

I grew up in Pensacola and watched Emmitt all through his high school career and the question is "who is the best RB?" It's Barry Sanders. Emmitt is a great RB no doubt ever since high school, but Barry is faster, more elusive and saying he had to make something out of very little is giving Lions waaay to much credit. He made something out of Nothing. Emmitt was tougher and his vision was like no other, but Barry was, as the kids say today, Different.

[@dereklamb6063]

I've never heard an announcer say that was an emmit kinda run. All I got to say

[@rasheemgrant8642]

🤣🤣🤣🤣 FACTS 💯💯

[@johncapo2843]

COACHES LOVED EMMITT video game fans loved Barry one knew the value of a 3 yard run for a first down, the other was always looking for home runs. Even his own coaches use to take him out at goal lines because he would lose yards dancing 5 yards in the back field. it was worse in the playoff when defenses would zone him towards the sidelines. he would run out of bounds or get HIT trying to reverse back he made it hard for the team to put a consistent O' Line around him, because he would zag when the plays called for him to zig (holding, tripping, illegal use of hands to the face) which also led to his own O'Line injuries.... no one mentions that

[@dereklamb6063]

@@johncapo2843 u mean a guy running behind the best OL ever had the luxury of following blocks and doing things according to game plan? Watch Sander's in college when he actually has blocking and how he follows the blocks there. Christ I woulda got 3 yards a carry behind that line. Wasn't anyone there before that lol. Are u high?

[@seanim6846]

I was too young, only seem them in highlights. Here is my take if any cares: Emmitt is like an oiled up bowling ball. Barry is, what the f?? omg how is he doing this??.. holyy s......

[@ryanboyd100]

Exactly!!!

[@catsdogsbaby8318]

@Ramses Stafford I'm not as old as you but you have seen way better running backs that Emmitt Smith Emmitt Smith just holds the title and it took him six to eight more years to do it then Barry

[@LoLLoL-mm6tt]

So would it be crazy to say modern day comparisons would be Saquon and Zeke? Like Zeke getting the job done but Saquon is so much more exciting to watch

[@ryanboyd100]

@@LoLLoL-mm6tt Definitely.....I like Zeke but Saquon is getting more done with alot less!!

[@CamberRockerCamber]

I loved Emmitt because he was my favorite player growing up but Barry Sanders was just jaw dropping. The guy was electric.

[@aaronorange6732]

Barry and Randy Moss is the reason I played football

[@mr.getitdone6543]

🎯💯 On everything.. it was also Deion for me.. those 3 man smh Beyond special 😤

[@aaronorange6732]

@@mr.getitdone6543 Yea I gotta put Deion up there too!

[@xezqeznunya6671]

Did ya start in Barry Sandra Era or Randy moss case I am pretty sure they never played at the same time.

[@xezqeznunya6671]

Randy is arguably the second best receiver ever

[@aaronorange6732]

@@xezqeznunya6671 Barry was still good his last year he retired in 99 and Moss came in in 98 so yes I remember both of them bro. I remember playin wit Barry Sanders on Madden 2000.

[@Mandrahale]

Barry was ethereal. Emmitt was great. But there’s a difference. That HOF rich offensive line Emmitt had was a big reason. Emmitt is still great. Barry was the goat.

[@CamberRockerCamber]

Why LT decided to wear #21 is actually one of the coolest stories. To me at least. 😄

[@jamesonedwardsii4943]

Can you tell me the story?

[@CamberRockerCamber]

@@jamesonedwardsii4943 Emmitt and Barry were his two favorite runningbacks growing up. When he started playing he couldn't decide if he wanted to wear #20 for Barry or #22 for Emmitt so he chose #21 to put himself right in the middle of them two.

[@JohnDoe-qu7gm]

There’s only one LT

[@jimbuhr2942]

@@JohnDoe-qu7gm Yep, LB for the NY Giants!

[@bigghoww]

He is just being nice. He picked 21 because of Barry in college.

[@MarcAmAlb]

I still watch some of Sanders’ highlight videos. Never watched a Smith video, great as he was.

[@kevinthomes1046]

Maybe you should.

[@mariojimenezgarcia4312]

@@kevinthomes1046 should what? Your comment is so stupid. Don’t want to offend you but you really are clueless when comparing these two.

[@kevinthomes1046]

@@mariojimenezgarcia4312 You seriously don't understand the comment? Because you are not mentally capable of understanding something that 99% of Americans would understand does not make it stupid. You should put a little more effort into learning. I can break down the comparison between the two any way you want to. Are you up to it? We can see how clueless you are!

[@mariojimenezgarcia4312]

@@kevinthomes1046 🤣🤣

[@edwardrichard2561]

One difference between Barry and Emmitt. Barry made loosing yardage look amazing.

[@ralphmilleriii9957]

Emmitt played with Moose most of his career while the Lions purposely let a guy come in free for Barry to juke. The ONLY year Barry played with a fullback, he got 2000 yards.

[@samidavis3146]

The different is Art. When Barry ran he often left peoples in suspense. It was poetry in motion and till this day hard to replicate.

[@fredm.9031]

Look! I'm a huge Cowboys fan and watched almost every game Emmitt Smith played in. He was a great all-around back, with outstanding vision, balance, and durability. Perhaps the best every down back ever. However, just pure running skills, no one can touch Barry Sanders. The man was electric. His speed, strength and elusiveness were unmatched.

[@mojoschmee9320]

Agreed. As far as pure runner goes, Barry was the best . As far as Greatest Running Back of All Time, it's Emmitt, for all the reasons you mentioned.

[@rpena62]

@@mojoschmee9320 Barry was only 5"9 inches tall but he could dunk a basketball and squat 600 Lbs , Thats 3 times his weight ! unbelievable !

[@mojoschmee9320]

@@rpena62 Cole Beasley is only 5'8" and he can dunk on a regulation rim. That must make him the GoAT of WR's? Oh, and Emmitt Smith, he squatted 850lbs... as a rookie.

[@DR-fd7sw]

Perfect way to say it. I agree.

[@harryhighland591]

I'm not going to say Emmitt was a better RB than Barry. I do think Emmitt is underrated given everything he accomplished. People always talk about the great players around Emmitt and rightfully so; but the Cowboys were not the same team without Emmitt in the lineup. They lost their first two games in 1993 w/Emmitt holding out and as soon as he re-signed they were the best team in the NFL again. Dallas had a lot of great players but Emmitt was the indispensable man on that team.

[@meenamjah]

I wonder why he's so underrated now? he wasn't while he was playing. they were basically 1a and 1b at the time. power of youtube perhaps. Barry's highlight reel is just stupid.

[@bigred9991]

@@meenamjah Exactly Barry was the most elusive rb and had ridiculous speed but emmitt did everything great.

[@kevinthomes1046]

@@meenamjah Watch Emmitt's it is not much different.

[@ChosenPlaysYT]

This is like arguing Eli Manning vs Dan Marino. Eli was able to win more because of team circumstances and was a great player, but no where near the same talent as Marino who never got a ring. Barry Sanders is probably the most talented RB of all time. Smith was a great player, he just wasn’t Barry. Emmitt had TWELVE seasons where he averaged under 4.5 yards a carry. Barry had TWO, with a far worse team around him where opponents were selling out to stop him. There is no debate on this one.

[@michaelreyes2301]

I love how one simple question can easily be turned into an hour conversation.

[@technomage6736]

@BKK Lol exactly

[@humblebeginnings8328]

I didn’t know it was a debate. Barry is the greatest ever. His ok state numbers will never be touched. He’s the only running back in 40 years of watching football I would actually scoot to the edge of my seat in anticipation. His moves had moves.

[@614southside]

Should’ve asked, who was the most amazing player they ever saw play..... it’s not even close, it’s BARRY most of his runs for losses were better than most players best runs for gains, not to mention coming out of college he ran a 4.3 40,benched 450, squatted 600 and had a 40” vertical @5’8” = a Beast with ball barring’s for ankles

[@godusopp2752]

Emmit is overrated he never got touched cause he had the greatest o line to ever play but Barry had to juke 8 people to get out the back field and still had better seasons than Emmit

[@kyanberusama8847]

Not too mention Barry sat woodson down for a few weeks off a 3-5 yrd run.

[@DanielMartinez-iw7pl]

Let's say 164 of his runs were for losses, so your trying to tell all of us that you would prefer that over 164 Emmitt td's just because they might not have been flashy?

[@DanielMartinez-iw7pl]

@@godusopp2752 what about college? Or high schol? Where Emmitt was the best player in the country. So Emmitt had the best line his entire football?

[@DanielMartinez-iw7pl]

@@godusopp2752 not true Smith had more rushing titles

[@redmustangredmustang]

Emmitt was the complete back you wanted in a system that allowed him to flourish under the right head coach and talent around him. People say Jim Brown was the greatest and yet the Browns only won one NFL championship in 1964 and got blown out against the Packers the next year's NFL championship. Walter Payton had only ONE 100 yard rushing game in the playoffs in his career. Barry Sanders had ONE touchdown in the playoffs and that was that infamous touchdown against the Cowboys and never made it to a Super Bowl. Emmitt on the other hand had 3 Super Bowls, was the first player to win a rushing TITLE AND A SUPER BOWL in the same season (Terrell Davis is the second one). Emmitt is the ONLY running back to win the rushing title, NFL MVP, and Super Bowl MVP in the 1993 season. Nobody else has done that triple crown as a running back. Still holds the record for most career rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and attempts. In today's system, no one is touching Emmitt's rushing yards record. Even after the glory days Emmitt Smith still held the record for 11 straight from 1991 to 2001 1,000 rushing seasons which no one is going to touch. For the post season he has the most consecutive games with a touchdown (9), most rushing yards in the post season, and has tied for most touchdowns with Thurman Thomas with 21. Also Emmitt along with 3 other players have over 21,000 combined yards which no other player than Jerry Rice, Brian Mitchell, and Walter Payton has. Emmitt may not have been the sexy choice like Barry or Walter or even Jim Brown, but he got it done when it mattered. Those Super Bowl rings prove that.

[@jeremybr2020]

I live and grew up in the Dallas area and I've always been a Cowboys fan. Emmitt Smith will always hold a special place in my heart for things he did for that team and for the fans. All that being said, Barry Sanders was a far better RB than Emmitt. PERIOD. Emmitt was a solid RB. But nothing compared to the things that Barry Sanders could do out on that field. He took exciting to whole new levels. I wish Barry Sanders had played on a better team because he deserved to have some super bowls under his list of accomplishments.

[@johncapo2843]

COACHES LOVED EMMITT video game fans loved Barry one knew the value of a 3 yard run for a first down, the other was always looking for home runs. Even his own coaches use to take him out at goal lines because he would lose yards dancing 5 yards in the back field. it was worse in the playoff when defenses would zone him towards the sidelines. he would run out of bounds or get HIT trying to reverse back he made it hard for the team to put a consistent O' Line around him, because he would zag when the plays called for him to zig (holding, tripping, illegal use of hands to the face) which also led to O'Line injuries.... no one mentions that

[@jeremybr2020]

@@johncapo2843 This is true, I do remember Barry doing a lot of dancing and ending up losing big time yardage. But that really isn't my point. If Barry Sanders's hadn't retired early one could certainly make the case that he would have the All time rushing record. And while Barry may not have been the most consistent running back, he was arguably the most entertaining to watch.

[@jayhill1242]

Far better....you just talking now

[@aarondough2524]

I want to turn back time and switch their teams. That cowboys line was tits! I wonder if we would still remember Emmitt Smith's name? Would barry have been as good just hitting a gaping whole instead of running for his life?.......probably on the latter. Imo

[@livinghaha01]

@@aarondough2524 nope, most likely wouldn’t have known either of their names. Barry would have been planted in backfield field bc the Cowboys were built around rb. We ran the ball with Emmitt, everyone knew where it was going. If you stopped the run, you stopped the cowboys. Aikman was great, but he wasn’t throwing for 300+ a game. Teams stacks the box seven or eight so that would’ve shut Barry down, no where to dance. Barry played on run and shoot offense, based around passing with spread offense, it forced defense to limit what was on the line. Who know Emmitt did go to cardinal with a crappy line and still almost got 1k while missing three or four games on a 16gm season. I like Barry, but he wasn’t a complete a back, he’s my favorite of all time, but not best.

[@johnmilligan2964]

Emmitt had the major advantage of having an offensive line that could blow open big holes for him. Barry never had the offensive talent around him to take the pressure off of him. Defenses knew that Barry was the Lions bread and butter and they could tee off on him. Defenses couldn't tee off on Emmitt because of how much talent he had around him.

[@m43854]

The lions had the number 1 offense in the league and they led the nfl in passing tds a d passing yards 😂😂

[@HanginInSF]

@@m43854 Yeah Lions were stacked. Barry just didn't deliver in big games, simple as that.

[@davidgillen777]

Dude, what year did they lead in passing and have the number one-offence come on, bro, you gotta give a year, you can't hide.

[@davidgillen777]

The Lions were stacked? How do you get through a day? You're struggles are for real, dude..

[@m43854]

@@davidgillen777 1997..

[@logicaldude3611]

Barry Sanders is the only superstar I know who retired and never declined a single bit. He retired as a RB at 30 which is considered old, but you wouldn't think he was more than 22. He was just always the exact same player. It was really remarkable and I think that's one reason he is such a legend. Never declined. No telling what kind of numbers he could have ended up with, but he didn't care about that. He left us a hell of a legacy, though.

[@johncapo2843]

ever heard of JIM BROWN?

[@newagain9964]

I would only want Barry if I have an elite QB/passing game. Why? To offset his negative/no gain runs. Emitt always found a way to go forward. But neither are my top 2 RBs.

[@tapeab1e]

⁠@@newagain9964Barry only had negative/no gain runs because his O-Line was shit. Put him in Dallas and he’s the undisputed best RB in history.

[@bearkowlbama6352]

statistics show Barry offset his own negative/no gain runs, you simplistic twit@@newagain9964

[@03Man11]

Toughness is a tie. These guys didn’t miss too many games. Both extremely durable.

[@sslocke]

Im not sure about Barry but I know Emmitt missed 9 games in his 15 year career due to injury. And according to Troy Aikman the Cowboys often never carried a 2nd RB because they always trusted that Emmitt would be available. That more than anything is why the record wont be touched. Reliability and durability. Now backs rotate every other play and they have a short shelf life.

[@03Man11]

@@sslocke Barry missed a total of 7 games in 10 seasons. 5 of those games were in the same season after a torn MCL and PCL. That means that he only missed 2 games in the other 9 seasons. By the way, he rushed for 1.8k+ yards the season after he tore his knee. Durability like Emmitt and Barry is not very common in today’s NFL.

[@tradtke101]

Emmit separated his shoulder against the Giants in a must-win week 17 game. Came back and played the 2nd half. Maybe Sanders is a 10/10 toughness but Emmitt is an 11.

[@danielsmith3796]

You just can't teach what Barry was able to do.....the greatest pure runner!👏

[@firminorules]

You are right. I don't disagree. When Emmitt was in pop warner, he led the league in rushing. His offensive line, huh? When he was in high school, USA today voted him the GREATEST FOOTBALL PLAYER IN HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY!!!! That was his offensive line again, right? In college he broke every record in Florida history in 3 years when it took everyone else 4 years. His offensive line again? In the NFL, he broke every record there ever was. His offensive line again? Jesus, can this guy ever get any credit or is it always his offensive line?

[@andrethompson6296]

Finally somebody said it Cowboys for life 🙌

[@raymondlangdon4610]

Barry all day long.....the 🐐 at the position

[@novaaceslegend3956]

No lol

[@NoName-gv6nm]

@@novaaceslegend3956 but he is close

[@novaaceslegend3956]

@@NoName-gv6nm top 5 not the best

[@sourpatch4209]

@@novaaceslegend3956 then who is the best and ong its not walter

[@novaaceslegend3956]

@@sourpatch4209 emmit smith lol

[@daved7231]

Imagine Barry with that’s Dallas line. 2500 yds a year

[@davep1103]

END OF DISCUSSION MY DUDE !

[@the_rap_minstrel2557]

That O-Line Nate Newton, Larry Allen, Erik Williams, Mark Stepnoski with Daryl Moose Johnson as a Blocking Freight train of a fullback

[@rossdickens8578]

Not really because Barry just didn't use his blocker

[@rossdickens8578]

Not really Smith hits the whole hard with Barry also shifting and dancing

[@Brian-ld4sc]

@@the_rap_minstrel2557 Most of those guys were already there before Emmitt got there and nobody was calling them great. Wasn’t until he showed up people started talking about them being great blockers.

[@mickeypac6087]

There is no debate. This everyone just trying be nice to Emmet

[@Boss3Nate]

I always thought the best RB debate was between Barry Sanders, Jim Brown, Walter Payton and O.J... A better debate for Emmitt is if he's top 5 or not.

[@ajhicks9869]

I’d throw LT and ap on that list

[@carlossosa1359]

Emmitts top 5 yall tripping

[@eric-tu8fh]

how is that a debate? when he holds almost all the records any other person that played for any team other than dallas it would be a no brainer. Some of those same dallas olineman were nobodies before emmitt got there its just dallas hate honestly has nothing to do with emmitt.

[@Boss3Nate]

@@eric-tu8fh very few think Emmitt is the greatest.... he's for sure an all time great but his longevity is why he holds so many records. The eye test simply says and shows Barry Sanders was better and I easily believe Payton, Brown and O.J were better. Pretty debatable to me... like any other topic in sports when it comes to personal opinion.

[@Boss3Nate]

@@carlossosa1359 he's in your top 5 maybe.... which means you're tripping

[@nickdiamond24]

Personally I’m going with Barry he ran without his line most of the time if Barry had smith’s line no one ever would break any of Barry’s rushing records

[@llcooljean]

Emmit was like the best running back in the video game, but Barry was lime the cheat code running back in the game.

[@goovibesonly1339]

It’s not even close man. Emmitt knows it. Barry is the GOAT

[@splysavv]

“I feel like it’s a privilege to be one of the players that will help restore the roar in the dome” That’s what makes Barry the greatest, he was a team player and I value that so much more than if he had just padded his own stats. He put the whole city of Detroit on his back for 10 years straight and never said a thing about it, I’m sure he just wanted to bring a Lombardi trophy home.

[@ilikejazz9665]

We can all agree that if Barry played for how long smith did he would hold the records

[@mojoschmee9320]

We can all agree that he would own the all time yards lost record. You know, since he already does, even though he only played 10 years. Imagine how large that record would be if he continued playing...

[@gauntstar8586]

@@mojoschmee9320 Your in every comment thread. Even with the lost yards he has higher yards per carry than Emmit smith and if he had multiple huge running seasons he must’ve been doing something right.

[@giantsfan266]

@@mojoschmee9320 Even with the lost yardage he had 5 straight 1500 yard seasons including a year with 2000. That shows legendary skill.

[@mojoschmee9320]

@@giantsfan266 Legendary skill occurs at playoff time, against other great skill. In 6 playoff games, Barry has one TD, a paltry 4 ypc avg, and a 1-5 record. All his averages are shite, and he completely disappeared during big games his entire career, college and pros. He was a freak athlete, and an awesome RB, but not the greatest of all time. You can't be the GoAT at RB and own the most yards loss from scrimmage. Not at the NFL level, that kind of style of running will not win you many games. It will provide a hell of a highlight reel 20 years after the fact, but there won't be any trophies in the case.

[@JamesDB2]

@@mojoschmee9320 and even with all of those negative yards, he still averaged nearly a yard more per carry than Emmitt Smith. So what’s your point?

[@LeonBeard]

Yall do realize that Emmitt sat out the 1st 2 games of 93. No other RB on the roster could run worth a damn with that so-called great OLine. Then management paid Emmitt and he went on to LEAD the team to ANOTHER SUPERBOWL. Stop the debate, Barry was fiery elusive... but Emmitt is the greatest RB of all time!

[@jump6098]

Lol wow 2 games. You saying that like he missed a whole season.

[@LeonBeard]

@@jump6098 Some people are incapable of comprehending basic things. They went 0-2 in those two games... got their butts dusted in both. It was horrible. They they gave Mr Smith a great new deal for a RB at that time, and he helped them get to another SB win. So yeah, those two games of nothing mattered.

[@jump6098]

@@LeonBeard lassic started the 3rd game in which they won and had 2 touchdowns. Plus he wasn’t even a early round draft pick. Emmit has more rushing attempts than any rb in history. Cowboys o line was Dubbed the Great Wall of Dallas for a reason

[@LeonBeard]

@@jump6098 You'd do better by just hushing. Game 1 was against the Buffalo Bills (AFC Powerhouse who they'll play in the SB later on). Game 2 was against the Redskins (a true divisional rivalry since 1960). Game 3 was against the Cards (a scrub team who eventually gets kicked out the NFC East). After that bye week, Emmitt came back stronger than ever (with way fatter pockets), and tore the league up... en route to another SB appearance and beating the crap outta that same Bills team they lost to in week 2. All you haters hate to acknowledge the fact that Emmitt Smith shredded the NFL when he came back... running past, around, and through all 2nd and 3rd level defenders! Oh, then he won the NFL MVP award! Just HUSH...

[@jump6098]

@@LeonBeard he did all that because of his all pro linemen. He was getting forced fed the ball. Like i said any good rb would’ve did the same if not better than emitt if they had his offensive line

[@jonhannah7542]

It always goes back to, "if Barry had Emmitt's offensive line." That question answers EVERYTHING. What we've never asked is, "what would Emmitt have done with Barry's?" Can't wait to get some of these answers!

[@MikeBrownLegend]

Emmitt Smith in Detroit would be a dependable back, but not first ballot HOF

[@jonlanier_]

@@MikeBrownLegend Absolutely agree.

[@johncapo2843]

COACHES LOVED EMMITT video game fans loved Barry one knew the value of a 3 yard run for a first down, the other was always looking for home runs. Even his own coaches use to take him out at goal lines because he would lose yards dancing 5 yards in the back field. it was worse in the playoff when defenses would zone him towards the sidelines. he would run out of bounds or get HIT trying to reverse back he made it hard for the team to put a consistent O' Line around him, because he would zag when the plays called for him to zig (holding, tripping, illegal use of hands to the face) which also led to his own O'Line injuries.... no one mentions that

[@factthatdude4059]

@@johncapo2843 again it goes back to the line. The cowboys line afforded him more while Barry had the run n shoot. 🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️

[@Peakfreud]

​@@factthatdude4059That dude all over this video with the same argument, he doesn't believe that nonsense he just trying to imitate skip or steven a and be Provocative.

[@haroldclarke9277]

Sanders was the best ever. He had some really amazing runs.

[@Sean-jb5gi]

If you put Barry on the Cowboys in the 90s and Emmitt on the lions. Barry would have 25K yards and Emmitt would be just another released guy with the last name Smith.

[@technomage6736]

😄👌

[@mojoschmee9320]

And the Cowboys would have zero Super Bowls, because Barry's style of play is not a winning formula.

[@technomage6736]

@@mojoschmee9320 Getting yards, TDs, and breaking ankles isn't a winning formula?

[@mojoschmee9320]

@@technomage6736 Losing yards as often as you gain them isn't a winning formula. Don't believe me? Check out Detroit's win loss record during Barry's time...

[@technomage6736]

@@mojoschmee9320 I believe any negative yardage plays are calculated into the final season total yards. With that said, please don't tell me you're gonna do the whole "judge a player by the amount of wins his team accumulated" argument are you? We'll give you a chance to rethink that before you give your final answer.

[@tw5139]

There is no one outside of Emmitt Smith and his Mom that can honestly say they think Emmitt was better than Barry.

[@danmccarthy3762]

@tw5139 Barry was on a top offense from 94-98. Two future hall of famers in lomas Brown and Glover. 3 pro bowl wide receivers during his career in Moore Perriman and Morton to keep the defense back. Outside of Irvin Emmitt had no help. Barry had all the luxury and talent around him

[@haneefahson973]

For 30 of the 38 years in my life I've known Barry the GOAT

[@johncapo2843]

COACHES LOVED EMMITT video game fans loved Barry one knew the value of a 3 yard run for a first down, the other was always looking for home runs. Even his own coaches use to take him out at goal lines because he would lose yards dancing 5 yards in the back field. it was worse in the playoff when defenses would zone him towards the sidelines. he would run out of bounds or get HIT trying to reverse back he made it hard for the team to put a consistent O' Line around him, because he would zag when the plays called for him to zig (holding, tripping, illegal use of hands to the face) which also led to his own O'Line injuries.... no one mentions that

[@haneefahson973]

@@johncapo2843 you said all that and still look at his stats.. He Retired at 30 bro.. You left out a big part..It was the Detroit Lions Organization

[@ldfrazi]

As a die hard cowboys fan and I also born and raised in Detroit and watching both played this is no contest. Imo Barry is hands down the best running back ever! Barry had no line, no QB, NO NOTHING!!! I love emmitt but man Barry would of destroyed that record if he didn't retired early. Put Smith behind that Detroit oline all them years and are we having the same conversation...

[@katzenpapa]

I am still a Payton fan! But I love both of these guys, this was when football had real magic!

[@marksearcy6738]

Emmitt never quit on his team, even played with a dislocated shoulder. Barry quit and retired the day before training camp. Barry holds the record for most negative plays. Emmitt the most rushing touchdowns. Barry an amazing East/West runner, Emmitt amazing North/South runner. . . . ..end zone is north or south . Emmitt by a mile!!! . . .actually 1.75 miles to be exact. 3,086 yards.

[@frederickcee2901]

Watching Barry S. run is like watching water flowing o'er land. A force of nature !

[@CrankyDumpling]

Barry is/was the best running back I've ever seen with my own eyes...give him guys like Larry Allen, Nate Newton, Stepnoski and he definitely wouldn't have retired and kept playing and broken all records

[@imdbtruth]

I disagree. I don't think Dallas would've been as good with Barry at RB instead of Emmitt. Sanders would rip off more big chunks of yards, but Smith's style was better for consistently moving the chains against good defenses.

[@CrankyDumpling]

@@imdbtruth there is no way Dallas wouldn't have been as good or better with Barry...he would've been running behind friggin HOFers and perennial Pro Bowlers/All Pros....Barry only had one pro bowler O-lineman when he was with the Lions...Jimmy Johnson would've called the exact same plays for Barry as he did for Emmitt...and Barry would've not only broken more big runs, he would've gained more chunk yards running the exact same plays as Emmitt Put Emmitt on the Lions and see how far he gets behind that O-Line

[@imdbtruth]

@L Chen On a crucial 3rd Down, Barry would've been dropped in the backfield because he likes running side to side instead of north and south. Emmitt meanwhile knew how to play winning football and sustain drives. Emmitt is the All Time leader in rushing yards gained from scrimmage, in both regular season and playoff history. Barry is the All Time leader in rushing yards lost from scrimmage, and once had a playoff game where he carried 13 times for -1 yard total.

[@CrankyDumpling]

@@imdbtruth lol are you thick? How many times you need to be told that Emmitt had a much better O-line over his career? Also, defenses couldn't stack the box against Emmitt because of aikman and irvin/harper...defenses always stacked the box against Barry...you are clueless if you don't understand this basic concept of football...you think it's easier to run against stacked boxes when the defense knows you are the only weapon on offense? Why do you think a RB like Faulk all of a sudden had huge seasons after he left the Colts...he was the only offensive weapon on the Colts and had to play against stacked boxes...once he got to the Rams, looked what happened? Sure the coaching scheme utilised Faulk more...but do you think that would've been possible without Warner throwing to Holt and Bruce taking the pressure off the running game? Lol...also why are you even comparing Barry to Emmitt...anyone that knows football knows that even Adrian Peterson and Walter payton are both better than Emmitt And no...if Barry played behind dallas' O-line, he wouldn't have needed to run side to side...the reason why Barry needed to run side to side so often is because his o-line couldn't open any holes for him...if he had emmitt's O-line...he would've run through open holes for easy first downs Do yourself a favor and skim through the comments...there are even die hard cowboys fans that admit Barry Sanders is a better RB...lol..."Emmitt is leading rusher in NFL history"...big whoops...frank gore is 3rd in rushing ahead of Sanders and Adrian Peterson...no one that knows football would ever dare say Gore is better than either of them

[@safeandeffectivelol]

That same offensive line went 3-13 and 1-15 the two previous seasons before Emmitt was drafted and won Rookie of the Year. The Cowboys went from last in the NFL in rushing in 1989 to one of the top rushing teams in the league in 1990 after drafting Smith. Same starters in 1989 and 1990 with Kevin Gogan, Nate Newton, and Mark Tuinei. Larry Allen and Erik Williams weren't even drafted yet at the time. The Cowboys had 27 different starting OL during the 90's. Only Larry Allen made the Hall of Fame. The 1970's Raiders had 4 HOF OL.

[@jordanmc9015]

Barry was magic. We looked forward to what he was going to do. Just like Watching Jordan. You watched the game and watched them. They both elevated their sport and position.

[@JET1970]

Jordan didn't elevate shit that was social media and espn it was Magic and Bird that elevated the NBA from the dumpster it was in

[@jordanmc9015]

@@JET1970 yeah... social media wasn't a thing.

[@mike-papi-8580]

The debate here is the best OVERALL running back! And Emmit was the better all around running back hands down, now clearly Barry was the more elusive running back. But this debate was the BEST RUNNING BACK which includes all around parts of being a running back..from running , catching, route running, blocking to picking up the blitz and so much more....EMMIT WAS THE BETTER OF THE 2 WHEN IT COMES TO ALL THESE.!

[@targetegrat]

Barry Sanders. Its amazing when you watch the highlights and most of the plays the defense is already in the backfield before Barry Sanders gets the ball. Most of the plays he already and to break tackles from defenders before he even got past the line of scrimmage.

[@kylegordon3675]

the same was true of Walter Payton, when you're that good, it just doesn't matter. Emmitt on the other hand, never got touched until he was at least 2 yards downfield. That was a hell of an O line, and Smith isnt half as good as his production would indicate. Sanders is as good a RB as has ever played. Numbers aside, Smith isnt even in the top 10.

[@mojoschmee9320]

That's the benefit of watching highlight reels. No one posts reels of all the negative plays. If they did, it'd be twice as long as the highlights. Facts.

[@danmccarthy3762]

Funny how people talk about how Barry had no o-line, the lions actually had a good offense in the 90’s when they signed Scott Mitchell from Miami. He threw for 4000 yards one season and had multiple good years on the team. Herman Moore and Brett Perriman were the first duo to record 100 catch season on the same team. They also went to multiple pro bowls. Cut it with the BS about about the lions not having an o-line. You don’t get stats like that without one. Those were video game numbers back then. No other team in the league had a duo like that. Irvin and Harper didn’t even come close to those stats. Either did Rice or Taylor. Barry was the best pure runner, what he lacked was fire and leadership. He wasn’t the best runningback, he was the best to watch on film . The Lions didn’t need Barry anyway, they went to the playoffs when he retired.Dallas was nothing without Emmitt Smith. And it showed when he didn’t play. I’ll take Smith over Barry any

[@rickyj1250]

Most crackheadish drivel ever written. Congrats

[@danmccarthy3762]

@rickyj the most realistic answer no one wanted to give. Barry had holes to run through, I rewatch highlights all the time. Lions had one of the best offenses in the mid 90’s . Herman Moore, Brett Perriman were lethal. Johnnie Morton was probably the best number 3 in the league, who went to become number 1. They had no defense, that was the lions down fall. Barry was fun to watch but he’s not the best back. Emmitt did it all. Better blocker, better catcher , better leader and brought fire to his team. Emmitt was hated since high school, so this debate is nothing new. Wait until Emmitt Smith’s son tears it up at Stanford. Everyone’s gonna jump on the bandwagon. You’re going to see true NFL dna in the works.

[@cole8165]

@@rickyj1250 ...then you need to put your pipe down. He’s spot on. Emmitt was beat all around back. Barry had a great line. Remember when he used to buy them gifts!? People forget how that same O-line looked when Emmitt held out. Oh, how about the Cowboys as a whole? Who’s the only Dallas Cowboy in their storied history to win league MVP? You got it...#22!! Don’t blame Emmitt for continuing to play. Barry quit.

[@Armando316]

I think Emmitt was more an all around back and Barry was naturally more talented.

[@gi-ant864]

Dude, you get it!!!

[@Cheeze410]

Great comment

[@jbcool9178]

Thats true. I always tell guys Barry is the best running back ever when it comes to just running the ball but Emmitt is the better running back overall

[@manwithaplan55]

Facts

[@bdi3798]

Barry had 2900 receiving yards over 10 years and Emmitt had 3200 over 15... Stats.

[@dknapp100]

The answer is already simple, but to make it even easier, imagine Emmit played 10 yrs for the Lions & Barry for the cowboys. Its honestly not even close.

[@Supermanfan99]

I imagined it and the Lions won 6 championships and Emmitt ran for over 20,000 yards

[@JOSHW1CK5]

If the Goat had Emmitts line, this wouldn't even b a discussion.

[@ckobo84]

Barry had two pro bowlers and two 1st rd picks in Lomas Brown and Kevin Glover. Emmitt had Zero 1at rd picks on the O-line. The Cowboys line was considered a weakness before Emmitt got there. During Emmitts two game contract holdout the O-line was worthless without him. The O-line was worthless after Emmitt left. The O-line was only great when They had Emmitt running behind them. That's some pretty substantial evidence it was Emmitt not the O-line that made them go.

[@Brian-ld4sc]

@@zazzazoozay2914 He is right. Nate Newton, Kevin Gogan, Mark Tuinei, Daryl Johnston were all there before Emmitt. Nobody thought they were even average until after Emmitt started running.

[@zuluspear9]

Emmitt did benifit from having a great line but that doesnt necessarily mean that Barry could have put it to use like Emmitt did. So much of it has to do with scheme and other factors. I think Barry is the best ever, but had he been somewhere else would we have seen what he treated us to? What upsets me about the Emmitt/great offensive line argument is that every skill position player on that offense benefitted from that o line, including two other hall of famers. It never seems to be a knock on their greatness.

[@TheFragnatic]

@@zuluspear9 not to mention the so called best OL in history only lasted a few years out of Emmitts 15 year career. Reading the asine comments you'd think that he had the best OL in history his whole career. How many hall of farmers were on those championship o lines? ZERO

[@greek1237]

Smith made that line, not the other way around. Aikman was getting sack, they could not even stop White as they said, Aikman put on White when the game started and took him off when the game ended lol. This line was not the legend critics make it out to be, The Cowboys had the worse line in the NFL at the time. Smith comes in and all of a sudden, they are pro bowlers??? Smith leaves the line because of the hold out or hurt, and the Cowboys go 0-6 without Smith. Let that sink in.