A bit of Lions history: the Lions have traditionally brought in local highschool cheerleaders for the home games. It wasn't untill about 5 years ago that they actually hired a professional cheerleading group.

in my opinion he's the best running back to play the game, could've easily smashed Emmit's record, but retired in his prime. The most humble, down-to-earth guy. His runs are legendary. He didn't care about breaking records, he was all in it for the team.

That year, Barry had 2000 of those yards the last 14. He only had 53 yards in the first 2. They stole the MVP that year from Barry and made him share it with Farve because the NFL writers were loving Farve. He could do no wrong in their eyes.

And if you notice.. no dancing. No showboating.. no celebration after a TD.. just drop the ball or give it to a ref.. and go to the bench

Nobody runs like Barry.. his agility, elusiveness and vision were top notch.. The GOAT.. It's crazy I'm from his hometown but several years younger

17:51 The Jets player #31 is actually Aaron Glenn. Ironically the Lions current Defensive Coordinator.

Barry wasn't just a freak athlete, his ankle bones and tendons are the size of someone 7 foot tall.

Barry was must see TV every single Sunday

Truly the greatest of all time, and such a humble guy too. I met him once as a kid and at 42 now I still remember that day vividly as well as the mantra back then, "3rd and 20? Give it to Barry." There will never be a better running back.

This man singlehandedly made an entire fan base temporarily overlook large amounts of losing. Win or lose you were guaranteed to be entertained. He carried some winning teams along the way too.

Very few players seemed great when you witness them as a youth and then crush the ideal you created of them when you rewatch them after generations of 'greats' to compare them to. Hell always be the man.

Barry Sanders 🐐

I have been a Lion's fan since 1970 and saw many great running backs but the 2 that really stood out to me were Barry and the Bears Walter Payton.

The goat. He has his own statue at ford field.

Because the Lions are my local team, the Lions were always on in my house. Even as a young kid, I knew Barry was different different. Nobody ran like him before or since. It sounds like you and me are about the same age. I saw the greatness in real time, but didn't really get deep into football until right after he retired.

He blew rod woodson's knee out he was never the same after that

The reason why Barry Sanders didn't break or didn't hold on to a lot of records is because he retired early.

Barry could make you miss in a phone booth. When he retired I was floored. He would have no doubt broken Walter Payton's record. But Barry is still very much involved with The Lions and he recently had a statue unveiled in front of Ford Field and deservingly so. Great video! Always a joy to relive my childhood and see the greatness of Barry all over again.

As a Bucs fan who git to watch him 1 time a year in person for 5 years of his prime. He scared me more than any r.b. ever best I ever saw

I saw Barry play a college game against Nebraska in Lincoln. Bro carried over thirty times, averaged about ten yards per game, and scored six touchdowns. Nebraska did win the game, but had no answer for him at all. After the game, Sanders received a salute in the form of a standing ovation, from eighty thousand Nebraska fans who understood what they had just witnessed. It was the most astonishing display of sustained athleticism I have ever seen.

Barry has a special place not only Lions fans hearts but football fans from all over. He could score at any point they gave him the ball. Under the new GM and coach they brought Barry Sanders back into the organization. It's awesome to see him as part of the team again

Barry is such a humble man. Never spiked the ball. Handed the ball to the ref. Amazing running back and good guy

Yes, you’re right. Barry is a legend. It was nice to see him featured at the NFL Draft in Detroit this week. Loved seeing him again. 👏👏🥰

Barry was from Wichita Kansas just down the street where I coached track at WSU. He came home after his frosh year when Thurmon Thomas was still the #1 RB at Okie State. My wife and I were in our late 20's or so. We were still training for masters track. He would come to the track fball field and train. He would ask me "coach would you mind timing me in some 40's".At the time I knew who he was but didn't know how great he would be. He was the nicest most humble hard working guy I ever knew. Did you ever see Barry make any kind of demonstrative exibition after a touchdown. Mostly he just handed the ball to the ref. Class act all the way. His dad would be up there sometimes also a class act. I wish he could have been on a team that had some shots at the superbowl. But, he was drafted by the Lions and he was loyal to them because that's who he is.

As you mentioned at the beginning, the Lions were never a great team while he played for them - or since then either. They did have a few good players during that time, but as a whole the teams always stunk. They never had enough, good players, or QB, or coaching to put it all together. Barry carried the team during his time there and it was so fun to watch him. He could lose 2 or 3 yards on consecutive plays and then break the next one for 20 or more. You just never knew what would happen when he touched the ball.

Awesome we still see Barry around here and there, much love and respect!!

Packers fan here. I have the utmost respect for Barry. The man had class. The BEST thing about Barry was that he never, ever, did a stupid dance in the end zone. He just handed the ball to the ref and said “rack ‘em up again”.

While Barry was playing and for many years after retiring, you could often find Barry running around the track at my old high school 10 minutes from my house.

I was fortunate to see Barry play and when it comes to pure ball handling and avoiding tackles, he was the man. If you ever needed a first down at 3rd and long in Detroit, just give the rock to Barry

OJ did 2000 yards in 14 games… and in the cold weather… only Barry and Jim Brown averaged close to 100 yards per game throughout their entire career..the Detroit Lions had high school cheerleaders from two schools each home game, which I thought was very classy😎 and community oriented..

If they hadn't increased the number of games in a college season - and counted bowl games as part of season stats - Barry would still hold the college record for most yards in a season. Barry playing against other college players was simply unfair. Thurman Thomas was a really, really good RB, but still blows my mind Barry had to wait a year at OK Sate to play because Thomas was there. I was in Michigan until the end of his career, so got to see a lot of him play. The guy had so, so many opponent DBs and LBs get carted/helped off with sprained ankles. It was ridiculous. 2:32 and, of course, turning Harlon Barnett inside out. If Barry would've had Emmitt Smith's o-line, he'd have had 20,000+ yards rushing, I firmly believe that - and I grew up a Bears/Walter Payton fan. Since you asked - his scouting combine 40 time was 4.37 seconds - it just seemed like it was 3.30 seconds.. Unfortunately for Adrian Peterson, time ran out in the game where he got to 2097.

The Nigerian Nightmare Christian was unstoppable on Tecmo Bowl 💯 too

If you want to see Barry's prototype, look up some Gale Sayers highlights. I see a lot of what Barry did in Gale's play. P.S. Barry officially ran 4.29 - 4.37 depending on what source you get. And the Lions didn't get pro cheerleaders until recently.

I got to watch him play every game of his career live at the Silverdome. Seeing him on TV or video didn't do him justice. He was the best player on the field at all times. He left you in awe.

Bro the only reason that Barry didn't pass Eric Dickerson was because he took himself out of the game

I'm a Bears fan, and it was an honor to watch Barry Sanders play. Funny thing is, the Bears are the #1 team, that he has the highest average against (146 yards per game.) But I never hated him. He was so humble, yet, so great! I miss him on Thanksgiving.

For those of us who got to watch Barry Sanders every week. We were truly blessed. I personally can say i watched the best running back ever, on a weekly basis. K owing he was the greatest. Barry running defenders in circles is all the proof needed. Haven't seen anyone do it since. Emmit had arguably one the best offensive lines ever. Barry did it with a scrub line. Other than Lomas Brown.

I remember Barry after he was drafted he came to my school, Kimball high School. He was doing 180 dunks in basketball court

Barry and Walter Payton were the most fun running backs to watch.

People made debate if Barry was the greatest running back to ever play the game. But I will stake my life on the fact that Barry was the most elusive running back to ever play the game. If you go back and really watch majority of the time when Barry got the ball the defense was already in the backfield. He is to this day the most elusive running back ever to play the game. He was the Lions!

Dude, he’s arguably the best. It’s a damn shame he was stuck with the Lions through that period of time. He is the most respectable, honorable down to earth humble gentleman. To be the best and stay so humble is remarkable heart and soul great morals and values!

Barry was my first favorite athlete when i was a kid, he's still my all time favorite, it sucks that we didn't have a good team around him, if there's anyone that deserved to be Super Bowl Champion it was him

He did all that without an offensive line his entire career he is by far well not by far but he is the best

The lions only added professional cheerleader in 2016. The ones you saw were from the state high schools. They would invite 4 schools per game.

Before Barry Sanders, the Lions had Billy Simms (late 70s early 80s). Another amazing running back. Could hurdle like you wouldn’t believe.

I went to the Raiders vs Lions game at the Silver Dome. Got to meet Bo was the coolest day ever as a kid we used to have a family friend that played for the Lions in the early 90’s on Special Teams Nico Noga. Such great memories as a kid growing up going to all the games. And meeting the players.

Barry was the most electrifying rb ive ever seen

They call this dude cousin Ricco! Barry had two speeds, running at you and running past you. #OnePride

Oh damn! How about them new Lions jerseys? Glad to see you covering Barry. He's my favorite player ever! The Madden 25th anniversary game had him on the cover. It was a national vote that eliminated players from contention. He was the final player standing. Awesome to see just how revered he is and was. I think he's the best player ever. Just my opinion though

It was a privilege to watch him in person in Detroit.

17:32 this run is still a core memory for me. I remember seeing this run as a child in my parents house, not really fully understanding the significance of what he'd done, but also just seeing my dad and grandfather celebrating in the room

To add some context to just how great Barry was, the Pontiac Silverdome (home field for the Lions during this era) was played on the original carpet-over-concrete Astroturf. There is zero give on that surface whatsoever. That surface is so unforgiving, places were tearing it out to put in real grass because the number of injuries was way too high... and this man rarely got hurt. JUST IMAGINE what this man could have done if he played most of his games on grass...

I’m a life long browns fan ..born and raised in Cleveland … I was a young adult during the sanders era of the 90s… people in Cleveland mostly say Jim brown was the all time best … but it’s Barry sanders . What’s so amazing about his career was that for several years he played in a run and shoot offense with NO full back or tightened blocking for him.

Consider this, Thurman Thomas started ahead of Barry for 2 years at Oklahoma State. Barry played very little until his Heisman winning junior year. Then he was one and done and into the NFL.

LT, Curtis Martin, and Marshall Faulk man. Had all of them in fantasy back in the day

And Bo Jackson and Christian Okoye were two of the most powerful backs I have ever seen play! And that's from watching since the 70s

Barry Sanders and Joe Dumars have this one thing in common, besides being great players in their respective fields. They were class acts on and off the playing field/court.

His career highlight video is unmatched by any player. Jim Brown was a different type of RB. Gale Sayer was similar to Barry's style but on a much smaller scale. Others players may have a handful of highlights for their career but Barry has the ultimate career highlight reel.

All that strength, those cuts and moves, and a 4.37 40 time. Barry was on another level. Lol

The best way to describe Sanders is to say he was Messi in the 90's this little guy that just made ppl miss, by the way, 5-7 220 with tree trunks for legs and the most ridiculous flexibility and change of direction with a burst once he decided to go. Unstoppable at times!

The greatest running back in the history of this planet. Nobody even close. Words cannot define the fear he put into opposing defences. Don't ever forget Lomas Brown, Ken Glover, Mike Utley, Eric Andesalick, Jeff Hardings and other great offesive linemen that blocked for Sanders.

"If there's a better runner, God has not made him yet." -Wayne Fontes, Lions Head Coach

Check out Thurman Thomas. The dude was legit great, leading the league in all-purpose yards in 4 straight years. He was not only a great runner but a pass catcher before Faulk and LT, and he was a great blocker as well. He would have even more touchdowns, but the Bills pulled him in the redzone (inside the 5) for the backup Davis so he wouldn't get hurt on unessasary hits.

If Barry hadn't retired early he would own all the records. He was still on top of his game with no steps lost when he retired. He was very rarely injured and rarely took big hits. He just got tired of losing. He was close to breaking Jim Brown's record but declined to to do it. I think because Brown was his father's hero.

Just gave you a follow. Loved this video. Loved your take. Sanders was the best. Even as a Browns fan Sanders is my all time favorite player. What a beast.

Barry is still currently fourth and got 2,053 on 44 less carries than Eric Dickerson, 13 less carries than AP (averaged same ypc), and 52 less carries than Jamal. Barry was electric!

Barry was greatness. I am from Toledo, and split my loyalties between Detroit and Cleveland (all sports, basketball, baseball, football). I root for both, depending on which is better in a given year. But Barry was HIGHLIGHT REEL nonstop for his career.

Barry Switzer was HC at Oklahoma at the time, was playing OK State and told his defense not to injure Thurman Thomas, because they arent going to want to face this kid Barry Sanders. 😂😂😂

If Barry had been on a better team, he could’ve done so, so much more in the league. He had the vision to find the open field, the speed, the agility, the hands, and the strength to shake off so many tacklers. He had the tools, talent, and abilities that so many people wished they could have just the tiniest fraction of.

Gibbs today reminds me a bit of Barry, but no one could ever come close to what he did on the field. Im glad he and the lions organization made amends. It's awesome seeing him around the team again. Think of the wisdom and advice barry can give Montgomery and Gibbs. Hell of a player and even a better person.

I still remember Barry turning Rod Woodson into a safety with a cut that basically destroyed Rod's knees.

Barry top 50 plays of all time is a great video to watch all in real time.

Barry ran in the 4.3s without warming up and not even wearing the right clothes. He didn’t take it all that seriously because he basically set every record in college.

I loved Barry's humility. He didn't spike the ball, didn't do a TD dance...nothing but hand the ball back to the ref. Very few players like this in any sport. The closest I can think of is my Browns Nick Chubb who also doesn't celebrate when he scores. Pure class.

In 1997 Bobby Ross became HC of the Detroit Lions. The first game of the season against the Bears, Barry only got 15 carries for 33 yards in a win. The second game against the Bucs was worse because Barry carried the ball only 10 times for 20 yards in a loss. 53 yards in the first two games. Then the light bulb went on in Ross's militaristic brain to change the game plan. Barry rushed for exactly 2,000 in the following 14 games, all over 100+. Just imagine if Barry ran for 150 in both those games, he would have shattered Dickerson's single season rushing record. Shame on Boss Ross! Barry Sanders is the G.O.A.T.!!

they took Barry out in the redzone so most of his TDs were 20 yards or more which makes his 109 career TDs all the more impressive

class and tact. no damn dances and arrogance. Dickerson was same as well. Miss those days.

Barry was the greatest runner of all time and as a lions fan i have to admit walter payton "sweetness"was the greatest running back, walter did everything run, receive, block whatever was asked of him, barry wasnt asked to do alot off those other things simply because he was handed the ball so often and as a fan you didnt want to miss a handoff cause you count just rewind and see what ya missed. Its not something thats tracked but i always wondered how many yards he lost over the coarse of his career running around behind the line, i dont think any rb ever lost as many yards as barry

Fun fact Berry had 53 yds for the first Two games the season he rushed for two thousand and finished 2053 so he got 2000 in 14 games One Pride Let's Go Lions Berry Sanders was and still is the best player I have ever seen

Barry Sanders had that low center of gravity. Which it made impossible for opposing players to defend or stop him.

I kinda went through the same thing with Jordan. I was 12 in '96, so I missed everything that lead up to Barry and Jordan being Goats, but I still understand that they are.

I watched every game of Barry's career and NEVER saw anybody get a solid hit on him

6:52 - Barry broke both tackle attempts from Dent & Singletary. If you needed to make that clip even more impressive.

Ol taffy tendons himself

Football was certainly more violent back then so it was a little harder to be a star back than today. Barry Sanders is absolutely my favorite back through out the ages.

Gibbs is the most electrifying rb the Lions have had since Barry. Similar in speed and excelleration, not quite the vision or the cutting ability. I wouldn't trade Gibbs for any other back in the league right now. Plus, trading back to pick him got us LaPorta. What an amazing draft move. Brad Holmes, you rock.

Here is what I believe about Sanders! He was the best at making guys miss! EVER! If he played for Buffalo, San Francisco, Dallas, or even Green Bay, he would have been the #1 running back yardage wise and TD wise, along with possibly beating Thurman in all purpose yards, and that was a thing all in it's self! If just about any hall of fame RB got to play behind the O line Dallas had in the 90's would be the #1 guy! Barry was the just different! One of a kind

Barrys own dad introduced him at his hall of fame induction as the second best running back in history behind Jim Brown!

Barry wasn't super fast top end, but his initial burst was lightning. There were some DB's who could eventually run him down with enough field to play with, but he'd streak by everyone and they'd all be playing catch up.

i was in 9th grade when Barry Sanders was a rookie omg he is the best. if the lions had some resemblance of an OFFENSIVE LINE back then he would have led the LIONS to SUPERBOWL GREATNESS.....2023 BARRY SANDERS is reborn in JAHMYR GIBBS. My NEW favorite player in the NFL.

Greatest RB to ever do it. Got a chance to meet him a few years back, super nice guy

OMG, sooo many good RB back in the day

Barry Sanders is the best running back of all time.

Emmett Smith said that if Barry Sanders would’ve had his line, he would’ve crushed every record in the NFL

You GOOOOOTTA see Calvin Johnson highlights❤ just under 2000 receiving yards in a single season when there was only 16games a season

Barry was the best thing I ever seen on the gridiron

BARRY SANDERS!!!! 👏👏👏👏 🙏✌️

The Lions used to take Barry out on goal line situations or short yard age which is why he didn't get lots of tds every year...

Love Dickerson, Payton, and Jackson. Hell I even wore #34 after Payton and Jackson

Im a die hard Vikings fan but Barry Sanders is the greatest rb to me. He gave my Vikings fits😂