How was Barry Sanders so good?

Barry was the NFL’s leading rusher in four of his 10 seasons and the only running back to ever have four consecutive 1,500-yard seasons. Adding to his rushing totals were his receiving yards, equally as impressive, with 352 career receptions for 2,921 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns as a professional.

When did Barry Sanders stop playing?

July 27, 1999
“Barry!” These were the calls Sanders never heard 20 years ago when he formally retired July 27, 1999, on the eve of training camp, ending a 10-year career as the greatest running back in Lions history and one of the best the NFL has ever seen.

What does Emmitt Smith think of Barry Sanders?

Smith responded to what Sanders said a day later, and gave him the ultimate compliment. “Heard about what Barry Sanders said…so very flattered but he should know I think he’s the best of all time,” Smith said. You can make the argument that Sanders and Smith are the two best running backs of all-time.

Who was better Barry Sanders or Jim Brown?

Brown fumbled 57 times in 118 games. Sanders, 41 times in 153 games. In reality, that means Brown fumbled once every 2.07 games on average, Sanders, once every 3.73 games on average.

At what age did Barry Sanders retire?

“The reason I am retiring is very simple,” Sanders said in a statement released yesterday. “My desire to exit the game is greater than my desire to remain in it.” Sanders, 31, leaves football just 1,457 yards short of former Chicago Bear Walter Payton’s NFL career rushing record of 16,726.

When did Barry Sanders retire age?

31
Barry Sanders announced his decision to retire from the Lions at the age of 31 on July 27, 1999, the day before training camp started. He attempted to leave with as little fanfare as possible by faxing the announcement to his hometown newspaper, the Wichita Eagle.

How many rushing yards did Frank Barry have in his career?

Barry accumulated 15,269 rushing yards and a healthy 109 TD’s, and he could have gone after Emmit Smith’s all-time record. It was a realistic idea, as he retired after just rushing for 1,491 yards in 1998.

Is Barry’s approach to retirement as shocking as it seems?

In this context, Barry’s approach to retiring is not as shocking twenty years later. In a letter published with his local newspaper, The Wichita Star, Barry made the announcement.

How many fans chanting ‘Barry Barry’ at the Silverdome?

Nothing was more electric than 80,000 fans in the Silverdome chanting, “Barry, Barry, Barry.” In Barry’s ten years with the Lions, they went to the playoffs six times versus three playoff appearances in the 30 years before his arrival.

What was it like to watch Barry Bonds play in the NFL?

It was like watching an adult play freeze-tag with 4-year olds, except Barry was playing against elite athletes with Olympic-grade speed. Watching Barry dodge tacklers was like watching Neo dodge bullets in The Matrix movies. He once put a move on Hall of Fame cornerback Rod Woodson that ended Woodson’s season with a torn knee ligament.