Full History Of Barry Sanders In Timeline From 1940

1940: Byron White Leads the League in Rushing Yards

In 1940, Byron White, running back for the Detroit Lions, led the league in rushing yards, making him the first Lions running back to do so before Barry Sanders in 1990.

1957: Lions Win NFL Championship Game

The year 1957 marked a historic moment for the Detroit Lions as they secured victory in the NFL Championship Game. This victory would be their last in the championship until Barry Sanders joined the team.

1958: Lions' Previous Playoff Win

The Detroit Lions' previous playoff victory before 1991 occurred in 1958.

July 16, 1968: Birth of Barry Sanders

On July 16, 1968, Barry Sanders, the renowned American former football running back, was born.

1970: NFL-AFL Merger

The NFL-AFL merger took place in 1970, significantly impacting the landscape of professional football.

1983: Lions Make the Playoffs

In 1983, the Detroit Lions made it to the playoffs, marking the last time they had done so before their successful 1991 season.

1983: Lions' Last Winning Season Before Sanders

The Detroit Lions had not experienced a winning season since 1983, highlighting the team's struggles prior to Barry Sanders's arrival.

1986: Early Years at Oklahoma State

Barry Sanders began his college football journey at Oklahoma State University in 1986, playing as a backup to Thurman Thomas.

1987: National Lead in Yards Per Kickoff Return

In 1987, Barry Sanders showcased his exceptional skills by leading the nation in yards per kickoff return, averaging an impressive 31.6 yards.

1988: Unforgettable Season and Records Set

Barry Sanders's 1988 season was nothing short of extraordinary. He became the first player to start two consecutive seasons with a 100-yard kickoff return, led the nation in yards per attempt (7.6) and yards per game (over 200), and established numerous college football season records.

1988: Heisman Trophy and Other Accolades

Barry Sanders's phenomenal 1988 season culminated in him winning the prestigious Heisman Trophy. He also received the Maxwell Award, the Walter Camp Award, and was named the Big Eight Offensive Player of the Year.

1988: Record-Breaking College Football Season

In 1988, Barry Sanders achieved what is widely regarded as one of the most outstanding individual seasons in college football history while playing for Oklahoma State University.

1988: Heisman Trophy-Winning Season

In 1988, Barry Sanders had a historic season, winning the Heisman Trophy and setting numerous records, making it one of the greatest individual college football seasons ever.

1988: Becoming the Starting Running Back

With Thurman Thomas moving on to the NFL, Barry Sanders stepped into the spotlight as the starting running back for Oklahoma State in 1988.

1989: Sanders's Exceptional Rookie Season

Barry Sanders made an immediate impact in the NFL during his rookie season in 1989. His outstanding performance is widely regarded as one of the best all-time by a rookie running back.

1989: NFL Draft and Rookie Season

Barry Sanders was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1989 and made a significant impact in his debut season, earning the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

1989: Byron Sanders Drafted to NFL

Barry Sanders' brother, Byron, was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 9th round of the 1989 NFL draft. Unfortunately, Byron was cut by the Bears just two months later.

1989: Barry Sanders' Rookie Season

In 1989, Barry Sanders began his NFL career with the Detroit Lions, starting 13 games. He faced injuries but still managed to rush for 1,470 yards and 14 touchdowns, setting a new franchise record for rushing yards by a rookie. He received the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team, earned Pro Bowl selection, and was named a first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press.

1989: Drafted by the Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions selected Barry Sanders as the third overall pick in the 1989 NFL draft.

September 9, 1990: Game Against Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On September 9, 1990, Barry Sanders played against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, rushing for 79 yards on 14 attempts and scoring a touchdown.

September 1, 1991: Lions Suffer Shutout Loss Against Redskins

On September 1, 1991, the Detroit Lions faced a significant defeat, losing 45-0 to the Washington Redskins. Barry Sanders was inactive for this game due to sore ribs. The loss marked the Lions' worst in over two decades.

November 24, 1991: Sanders Dominates Against the Vikings

On November 24, 1991, Barry Sanders delivered an incredible performance against the Minnesota Vikings, rushing for 220 yards on 23 attempts and scoring four touchdowns. The Lions won the game 34-14, with Sanders dedicating the victory to teammate Mike Utley, who had suffered a career-ending spinal cord injury in the previous game.

1991: Leading the Lions to Victory

In 1991, Barry Sanders played a key role in guiding the Detroit Lions to their first postseason win since 1958.

September 13, 1992: Game Against Minnesota Vikings

On September 13, 1992, Barry Sanders and the Detroit Lions played against the Minnesota Vikings. Sanders recorded 26 rushing attempts for 66 yards.

November 25, 1993: Sanders Suffers Season-Ending Injury

On November 25, 1993, during a game against the Chicago Bears, Barry Sanders suffered a torn medial collateral ligament (MCL) and a torn posterior cruciate ligament. He was forced to leave the game after rushing for 63 yards on 16 attempts, and the injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season.

1993: Start of Lions Playoff Streak

1993 marked the beginning of a three-year playoff streak for the Detroit Lions.

September 11, 1994: Loss to the Vikings

On September 11, 1994, Barry Sanders and the Lions lost to the Minnesota Vikings, with Sanders only gaining 16 yards on 12 carries.

September 25, 1994: Victory Against the Patriots, Memorable Run

On September 25, 1994, Barry Sanders had a strong performance against the New England Patriots, rushing for 131 yards and two touchdowns, including a memorable 39-yard touchdown run.

1994: NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award

Barry Sanders received the prestigious NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award in 1994.

1994: Sanders Leads NFL in Rushing Touchdowns

Barry Sanders showcased his scoring prowess in 1994 by leading the NFL in rushing touchdowns, demonstrating his ability to find the end zone.

1994: Sanders Named NFL Offensive Player of the Year

In 1994, Barry Sanders's exceptional performance on the field was recognized with the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award, highlighting his impact on the league.

1994: Wayne Fontes Coaches the Lions

In 1994, Wayne Fontes was the coach of the Detroit Lions.

1995: End of Lions Playoff Streak

1995 marked the end of a three-year playoff streak for the Detroit Lions.

1995: 1995 NFL Season

During the 1995 NFL season, Barry Sanders rushed for 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Lions made the playoffs but lost in the Wild Card round to the Philadelphia Eagles.

1996: 1996 NFL Season

In 1996, Barry Sanders led the league in rushing yards with 1,553, averaging 97.1 yards per game. The Lions finished with a disappointing 5-11 record and missed the playoffs.

December 21, 1997: Sanders Reaches 2,000 Rushing Yards

On December 21, 1997, Barry Sanders rushed for 184 yards against the New York Jets to surpass 2,000 rushing yards for the season, leading the Lions to a playoff-clinching victory.

1997: NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year

Barry Sanders had a remarkable year in 1997, rushing for 2,053 yards and earning both the NFL Most Valuable Player Award (shared with Brett Favre) and his second NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award.

1997: Sanders Named NFL Offensive Player of the Year

Barry Sanders once again earned the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award in 1997, solidifying his status as one of the league's most dominant offensive forces.

1997: Sanders Wins NFL MVP and Surpasses 2,000 Rushing Yards

In 1997, Barry Sanders achieved a significant milestone by becoming only the third running back in NFL history to surpass 2,000 rushing yards in a single season. His remarkable performance earned him the NFL Most Valuable Player Award, which he shared with Brett Favre.

September 13, 1998: Sanders Rushes for 185 Yards and 3 Touchdowns Against Bengals

On September 13, 1998, Barry Sanders had a stellar performance against the Cincinnati Bengals, rushing for 185 yards and scoring three touchdowns.

November 26, 1998: Sanders Held to 33 Yards in Win Against Steelers

Barry Sanders had a relatively quiet game on November 26, 1998, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, rushing for only 33 yards on 20 attempts. Despite his limited production, the Lions still won the game 19-16 in overtime.

December 27, 1998: Sanders' Final Game

On December 27, 1998, Barry Sanders played his final game in the NFL. He rushed for 41 yards on 19 attempts in a 10-19 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. This game marked the end of a legendary career for Sanders, who retired as one of the greatest running backs of all time.

1998: Induction into Kansas Sports Hall of Fame

Barry Sanders was inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1998.

July 27, 1999: Sanders Announces Retirement

On July 27, 1999, Barry Sanders sent shockwaves through the NFL by announcing his retirement. He chose to make his decision public through a faxed letter to his hometown newspaper, The Wichita Eagle, just one day before the Detroit Lions' training camp was scheduled to begin.

1999: Sanders' Unexpected Retirement

At the age of 31, Barry Sanders made the surprising decision to retire from professional football in 1999, despite being physically capable of continuing to play.

1999: Sanders Expresses Retirement Decision

In 1999, Barry Sanders shared his feelings about retirement, stating that he had contemplated the decision since the end of the previous season. He emphasized the importance of taking ample time to reflect and ensure his feelings were firm.

1999: Sanders Ranked Among Greatest North American Athletes of the 20th Century

In 1999, Barry Sanders's impact on the world of sports was acknowledged when an ESPN survey of journalists, athletes, and sports figures ranked him as the 76th greatest North American athlete of the 20th century.

February 15, 2000: Arbitrator Rules on Sanders' Contract Dispute

On February 15, 2000, an arbitrator ruled that Barry Sanders was obligated to return a portion of his signing bonus to the Detroit Lions following his retirement. The ruling stated that Sanders had to immediately repay $1,833,000, representing one-sixth of the bonus. The remaining amount was to be repaid over the subsequent three years, contingent upon Sanders remaining retired. Before the arbitrator's decision, Sanders had proposed returning the entire bonus in exchange for either being traded to another team or being released by the Lions.

2000: Named to NFL 1990s All-Decade Team

Barry Sanders was chosen for the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team in 2000.

2000: Appears on Madden NFL 2000 Cover

Barry Sanders was featured in the background of the Madden NFL 2000 cover.

2000: Sanders Officially Departs NFL

In 2000, Barry Sanders officially declared his departure from the NFL, marking the end of his illustrious career. His decision surprised many and solidified his legacy as one of the most talented running backs to ever play the game.

2003: Autobiography Publication

In 2003, Barry Sanders co-authored his autobiography, "Barry Sanders: Now You See Him: His Story In His Own Words," providing insights into his life and career.

2003: Inductions into College Football and Michigan Sports Hall of Fame

The year 2003 marked Barry Sanders's induction into both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.

August 8, 2004: Sanders Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Barry Sanders received one of the highest honors in American football when he was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 8, 2004. At the age of 36, he became the second-youngest player to achieve this distinction.

November 25, 2004: Detroit Lions Retire Sanders' Jersey

On November 25, 2004, the Detroit Lions honored Barry Sanders by retiring his No. 20 jersey.

August 21, 2005: Sanders Inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame

On August 21, 2005, Barry Sanders was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to the world of sports and his ties to the state.

2007: Ranked Most Elusive Runner in NFL History

In 2007, NFL Network's NFL Top 10 series recognized Barry Sanders as the most elusive runner in NFL history.

2007: Sanders Ranked as Most Elusive Runner by NFL Network

In 2007, NFL Network's NFL Top 10 series recognized Barry Sanders's exceptional agility and elusiveness by ranking him as the most elusive runner in NFL history.

2009: Chris Johnson Breaks Single-Season Scrimmage Yards Record

In 2009, Chris Johnson broke the NFL record for single-season scrimmage yards, which was previously held by Marshall Faulk, who had broken Barry Sanders' record from a few years prior.

2009: Highest Scoring Playoff Game Record Broken

In 2009, The record for the highest scoring playoff game in NFL history was broken in a game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Green Bay Packers.

October 10, 2011: Introduces Monday Night Football Game

Barry Sanders served as the guest introducer for the ESPN Monday Night Football game between the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions on October 10, 2011.

2011: Ball Surpasses Sanders' Points Record

Montee Ball broke Barry Sanders's college football season record for points scored in 2011.

February 2012: Divorce from Lauren Campbell Sanders

Barry Sanders and his wife, Lauren Campbell Sanders, filed for divorce in February 2012 after 12 years of marriage.

2012: Divorce and Custody Arrangements

During their divorce in 2012, Barry and Lauren Sanders agreed to joint custody of their three sons, with Lauren maintaining their medical coverage.

2012: Sanders Ranked No. 1 on NFL Network's List of Greatest Players Never to Win a Super Bowl

In 2012, NFL Network acknowledged Barry Sanders's greatness despite never winning a Super Bowl by placing him at the top of their list of the greatest players to have never achieved this feat.

April 2013: Wins Madden NFL 25 Cover Vote

In April 2013, Barry Sanders won the fan vote to be featured on the cover of EA Sports Madden NFL 25, marking the game's 25th anniversary and making him the first player to appear on the cover twice.

2015: Barry J. Sanders Plays Football at Stanford

Barry Sanders' son, Barry J. Sanders, played running back at Stanford University from 2012 to 2015.

2015: McCaffrey Breaks Sanders' All-Purpose Yards Record

Christian McCaffrey surpassed Barry Sanders's college football season record for total all-purpose yards in 2015.

2016: Barry J. Sanders Transfers to Oklahoma State

In 2016, Barry J. Sanders transferred to Oklahoma State University to continue his college football career.

2017: Sanders Returns to the Lions Organization

In 2017, years after his controversial retirement, Barry Sanders mended his relationship with the Detroit Lions and rejoined the organization in a paid ambassadorial role.

2019: Selection to NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team

In 2019, Barry Sanders received the honor of being named to the National Football League 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.

2019: Sanders Named to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team

In 2019, as part of the NFL's 100th-anniversary celebrations, Barry Sanders was selected to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, cementing his place among the league's all-time greats.

January 13, 2020: Honored as No. 9 Player of All Time

On January 13, 2020, Barry Sanders was recognized for his exceptional college football career during the College Football Playoff National Championship game. He was honored as the No. 9 player of all time in commemoration of the 150th year of college football.

2022: Sanders' Enduring Legacy as an NFL Running Back

As of 2022, Barry Sanders maintains his position among the top ten all-time in the NFL for career rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and rushing attempts. His consistent excellence throughout his career is evident in his average of 1,527 rushing yards per season and an impressive 99.8 rushing yards per game. This latter statistic places him second only to the legendary Jim Brown.

2022: Nick Sanders Plays Basketball at Michigan State

Barry Sanders' son, Nick, began playing basketball at Michigan State University in 2022.

November 21, 2023: Release of "Bye Bye Barry" Documentary

On November 21, 2023, a documentary film titled "Bye Bye Barry," which delves into Barry Sanders' decision to retire from the NFL while he was on the verge of breaking the all-time rushing record, premiered on Amazon Prime.

2023: Lions Immortalize Sanders with a Bronze Statue

In 2023, the Detroit Lions paid tribute to Barry Sanders' remarkable career by erecting an 8-foot bronze statue of him outside Ford Field. This gesture served to immortalize his legacy within the franchise.

2023: Lions Honor Sanders with Statue

In a testament to his enduring legacy, the Detroit Lions unveiled an 8-foot bronze statue of Barry Sanders outside Ford Field in 2023. This honor solidified his place as a legend within the franchise and the broader NFL.

2023: Nick Sanders Continues Basketball Career

Nick Sanders is currently playing basketball at Michigan State University as of 2023.

History of Barry Sanders in Timeline