Barry sanders biography espn sportscentury documentary

And thinking back, I guess all I can say is, it could have made the difference, you know. The Lions reached the NFC championship at the end of the season … which still marks the last time the franchise won a playoff game. The years of losing took their toll, both on his body and his psyche. But Detroit has forgiven Sanders, and Sanders in turn has quietly embraced Detroit.

He remains a visible figure in the city, and footage of the unveiling of his statue outside Ford Field shows the love that remains strong between city and star. Selected edition. Sign in. Breaking News. Colorful and alcoholic manager for the New York Yankees was fired three times by George Steinbrenner. Doug Flutie. Barry Sanders. One of the greatest running backs ever, like Jim Brown, retired in his prime.

Bob Gibson. Mean, legendary fastball pitcher. Willie Jeffries. First black coach of a Division I-A college football team. Larry Brown. Restless coach improved almost every team he coached but usually moved on before he unpacked his bags. Mario Lemieux. One of the greatest hockey players ever recovered from cancer. Ted Williams. One of the best hitters in major league history homered in his final at bat.

Satchel Paige. Negro League legend finally made it to the majors at Jennifer Capriati. Tennis Wunderkind overcame personal problems to make a successful comeback. Great NFL running back is now mostly known for being acquitted of the murder of his ex-wife and her friend. Joe Namath. Woody Hayes. Greg Norman. Supremely talented golfer was most known for collapses in big events including the Masters.

Sonny Liston. Former heavyweight boxing champion was a feared fighter whose career was controversial at the end, as was his death. Jayson Williams. Former NBA All-Star was charged with manslaughter after he allegedly covered up an accidental shooting. Andre Agassi. Image was everything for this tennis player early on but he grew into a champion.

Chris Evert. Icon for her competitiveness and beauty, the ice queen was one of the greatest tennis players ever. Steffi Graf. Maurice Richard. Charles Barkley. Outspoken and entertaining basketball player was one of the all-time greats. Eric Heiden. Won five gold medals in the Winter Olympics in speed skating and later became a doctor. Sam Huff.

Former N. Giants linebacker changed the way the game was perceived by fans with a Time Magazine cover story and TV special. Jerry Rice. Best wide receiver ever. Pete Sampras. Share this: Facebook X. Like Loading By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use. Reblog Subscribe Subscribed. Mike's Blog. Sign me up. Already have a WordPress.

He rushed for more than yards an NCAA-record four times in and for five consecutive games he ran for more than yards, another mark. Two more records: He scored at least two touchdowns in all 11 regular-season games, and nine times scored at least three touchdowns. Sanders only reluctantly attended the Heisman Trophy presentation live, via satellite, as his team was playing Texas Tech in Japan.

Before he won, he said he thought another nominee, Southern Cal quarterback Rodney Peete, deserved the award. Pat Jones, his coach at Oklahoma State, said Sanders didn't mind winning the Heisman, he just didn't want to talk about it. As his mother Shirley taught him: "Glory to God, not to yourself. With the third selection in the draft, the Lions chose Sanders.

He didn't disappoint, rushing for an NFC-leading 1, yards to break Billy Sims' team record and scoring 14 touchdowns as a rookie. In , he won his first NFL rushing title, though he gained fewer yards than he had in his first season. His 1, yards put him seven yards ahead of former teammate Thomas. In , it looked as if Sanders would win his second NFL rushing title, but an injury to his left knee in the Thanksgiving Day game caused him to miss the final five regular-season games.

He finished with 1, yards, his lowest total as a pro. Sanders won three more rushing titles, with 1, yards in , 1, yards in and the 2,yard outburst in In his 10 seasons, Sanders never averaged less than 4. Despite Sanders' credentials, not even his own father rated him as the NFL's greatest running back. Playing football back then was harder.

Sanders on the field was a slick, fast, showman. Joe DiMaggio. Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Sugar Ray Robinson. Joe Montana. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Jerry Rice. Red Grange. Arnold Palmer. Larry Bird. Bobby Orr. Johnny Unitas. Mark Spitz. Lou Gehrig.

Barry sanders biography espn sportscentury documentary

Oscar Robertson. Mickey Mantle. Ben Hogan. Walter Payton. Lawrence Taylor. Wilma Rudolph. Sandy Koufax. Julius Erving. Bobby Jones. Bill Tilden. Eric Heiden. Edwin Moses. Pete Sampras. Chris Evert. Rocky Marciano. Jack Dempsey. Rafer Johnson. Greg Louganis. Mario Lemieux. Pete Rose. Bill Shoemaker. Elgin Baylor. Billie Jean King. Walter Johnson.

Stan Musial. Jerry West. Satchel Paige. Sammy Baugh. Althea Gibson. Eddie Arcaro. Bob Gibson. Al Oerter.