When it comes to trying to figure out who was the best to ever play a certain position in any sport, there’s always room for some discussion. Whether someone played in a certain era, certain styles of play, championships won, etc.
However, when it comes to trying to figure out who the greatest running back of all time is, there’s really zero room for discussion: it’s Barry Sanders. Period.
Barry is easily the GOAT in both college and the NFL, and he created his legacy in less than at both levels.
So, here’s my 5 Thoughts on Barry’s “greatest of all time” career.
Barry Didn’t Miss Much Time
I’m going to start with this thought because of a tweet the GOAT responded to a few days ago. NFLonCBS tweeted out some stats of Barry’s showing he’s the only non-active NFL player in history with at least 1,300 yards from scrimmage in every season of his career, which is a wild concept to think about.
1993 was the lowest scrimmage yards of Barry’s career as he posted 1,320, rushing for 1,115 yards, a number most backs would be happy for in a good year. For instance, there were only four players who rushed for more than 1,100 yards during the 2020 season, Derrick Henry (2,027) and Dalvin Cook (1,557), Jonathan Taylor (1,169) and Aaron Jones (1,104).
What’s so impressive about his 1993 season is he played in only 11 games but missed just two games over the course of the next FIVE seasons. It’s insane for anyone to miss just two games over fives seasons, let alone a running back.
His NFL Numbers Were Insane
This plays right along with the first thought because his numbers were absolutely insane. During his NFL career, Barry racked up 18,190 yards from scrimmage, 15,269 of which were rushing yards with 99 touchdowns. Barry’s fourth all-time in NFL history with rushing yards, behind Emmitt Smith (18,355), Walter Payton (16,726) and Frank Gore (16,000). Smith played 15 seasons, Payton played 13 seasons and Frank Gore is still played with 2021 being his 17th seasons. Barry got all of his stats in just 10 seasons before retiring. There’s no telling how high that number would be if he had played another 3-5 seasons.
He made the Pro Bowl in all 10 of the seasons he played, six-time First Team All-Pro, four-time Second Team All-Pro, led the league in rushing four seasons, was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1989, the MVP of the league in 1997, the Offensive Player of the Year in 1994 and 1997 and is widely considered one of the best 10 NFL players of all-time.
Greatest College Running Back (and Season) of All-Time
I’m not sure we’ll ever seen another running back as good, or a season as good as what we saw Barry do in 1988. Played just three seasons at Oklahoma State, two of which were behind fellow NFL Hall of Famer, Thurman Thomas, Barry combined for 3,556 yards and 48 touchdowns, most of which came during his 1988 Heisman season. He rushed for 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns, also recorded 515 kick and punt return yards with two touchdowns, setting 34 FBS records, six of which he stills holds today.
- Most rushing yards in a season: 2,628
- Most rushing touchdowns in a season: 37
- Most touchdowns in a season: 39
- Most games rushing for 300+ yards in a season and a career: 4
- Highest average rushing yards per game in a season: 238.9
- Most points scored in a season: 234
Barry Will Be Just the Second Cowboy Inducted Into the Cowboy Ring of Honor
Barry will join Thurman Thomas as the first two players inducted into Cowboy Football’s Ring of Honor and will most likely (definitely needs to be) the first OSU player to have a statue outside the stadium. There are definitely some people who feel as if he should’ve gone into the RoH before Thurman, and I can understand that argument. Honestly, I can’t complain because I love seeing OSU rebuilding the relationships with former players, especially with guys who are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Plus, this gives OSU the chance to induct Barry and unveil a statue on the same day (finger’s crossed).
He Retired Before Winning a Championship
This is one that gets me a little bit because the only thing missing from his legendary career was a championship. However, I don’t think he ever would’ve won one because Detroit wasn’t, and isn’t, winning a title anytime soon. However, while a title would’ve been the ultimate cherry on top of an ultimate career, I think Barry’s OK with a Heisman Trophy, a league MVP and Rookie of the Year, a consensus top-10 NFL player of all-time and being in both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame.
), and remarkably REMEMBERS the games even today. My son's love for defense carried through his HS playing days to now as he is moves from DL coach at Anna (TX) to Head DL coach at Commerce (TX). Go Pokes!