Detroit Lions: 30 greatest players in franchise history

There was absolutely no doubt in my mind that Barry Sanders was going to top this list, none whatsoever. There is no other player that I would even consider placing into the No. 1 slot. Great is an adjective that gets tossed around today a little too often for my liking, but it is a one-word summary of the type of player that Sanders was.

Coming in at 5-foot-8, 203 pounds, Sanders is football proof that some pretty amazing things can come in small packages indeed. After winning the Heisman Memorial Trophy in 1988 as an Oklahoma State Cowboy, Sanders was drafted by Detroit with the third overall pick in 1989. His entire career was nothing short of incredible.

“No. 20” accomplished 10 seasons, 10 Pro Bowls, 10 1,000+ yard rushing seasons, six seasons as a first-team All-Pro, 153 games played, 3,062 rushes for 15,269 yards, 99 rushing touchdowns, 10 receiving touchdowns, four league rushing titles and one most valuable player award. All of those honors add up to one amazing career from one of the humblest people who you could ever hope to meet.

For as elusive as Sanders proved himself to be as a ball carrier, overall team success was seemingly just as elusive for his Lions, despite them fielding some teams that could really compete. Sanders strongly felt that lack of team success was a big part of him losing interest in continuing to play for Detroit, which ultimately led to his 1998 retirement.

Virtually all Lions fans alike, wish Sanders would have played long enough to break Walter Payton’s NFL career rushing record, which was easily within his grasp. However, he just wasn’t the type of player or person to chase after something that he wasn’t fully invested in.

Even though he most likely still had plenty left to contribute to the game, Sanders quit while he was ahead and he left his audience undoubtedly wanting more. As a fan, I’m just thankful that Detroit got to be the home of the NFL’s best running back for a decade. Sanders was greatness personified.