Detroit Lions: Who is the most versatile running back in team history?

But the thing that separates him from Sanders was just how good his hands were. As a rookie he caught 51 passes for 621 yards including an 87 yard bomb. Sims surprised the entire NFL as he demonstrated polished pass routes and unexpectedly good hands. Sims could run any route effectively and catch any kind of pass.

Sims’ career was cut short due to a knee injury after only four and a half seasons. Yet in that time he rushed for a then team record 5,106 yards while adding another 2,072 receiving yards and 47 total touchdowns.

Some fans are too young to remember when Billy Sims used to roam the Silverdome and somehow, despite how good he was, he seemed to be forgotten rather quickly. Something that was probably made easier when Barry arrived to town and graciously accepted the mantle of the number 20.

There are some magical numbers in sports. Numbers that have been worn to greatness. In Detroit the number 20 started it’s journey to being one of those magical numbers on the back of Hall of Fame cornerback Lem Barney. It was later passed onto Sims, who would have been a Hall of Famer himself had his career not been cut short. Finally. it finished its course on the shoulders of the Lions’ greatest runner, Barry Sanders.

Next: The Detroit Lions All-Time Offensive Team

Yet the Detroit Lions greatest all around back was the one whose career was cut short. The Heisman winner from Oklahoma who had power, speed and terrific hands and showed us so much in so little time. Billy Sims was definitely the most versatile running back in Lions history.