Was Barry Sanders The Best Ever?
By elmiko
@elmiko (6630)
United States
December 2, 2008 4:55am CST
I was not that into football but I'm a bigger fan now and really just starting to be a fan. Someone who was a big football fan I use to know said he thought Barry Sanders was the best ever. Do you agree at least somewhat?
5 responses
@rosettaresearch (1285)
• United States
2 Dec 08
Nope. He only played 5 years. He is not even the top rusher in NFL history. They were others who had longer careers and contributed more to their team success. Now granted, Sanders played for the Lions so he could only do so much for the team. But, even people who played for not great teams contributed more than he did, not just rushing but in helping the team win. And they stuck around.
Fine, Barry decided he didn't want to play football anymore. His business. At least he didn't stick around just to get a record. But, it is still something to be considered when determinng his NFL legacy.
@srhelmer (7029)
• Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
18 Dec 08
Actually, he was 30 when he retired; an age when most running backs start showing signs of wear and tear. And, he didn't play for 5 years, he played for 10 and could have been the all-time leading rusher if he played for another. I saw him play against my Green Bay Packers twice a year for a decade and yes, he is the best all time.
@tennessee331 (114)
• United States
16 Dec 08
barry sanders was indescribable. He just... you know he... he ran. he scored. He left to early. Extremely talented and one of the few heisman winning success stories.
@brady2moss (700)
• Singapore
13 Dec 08
He could have been THE best ever had he not retired early, but looking at his body of work he was ONE of the best ever. When you talk of Barry Sanders, the first thing that comes to mind are his electrifying runs downfield, and his ability to make tackles miss. We often forget that he does have a lot of rush attempts for losses, and that he played behind a DECENT(it could be BAD on some people's perspective, but I give it a decent rating at best) O line. Not to mention some terrible QBs during his time.
Now had he played behind an O line half as great as the one in Dallas during Emmitt's time, and a QB half as great as Troy Aikman, I definitely will say he is THE BEST ever, early retirement or not :-).
@MrNike2K9 (21)
• United States
14 Feb 09
Barry Sanders was simply the best. He only played 10 years and he was second only to Walter Payton who played 13. Paytons record was like 16,700 something, and Barry had like 15,000 something when he retired. One more year and he wouldve broke the record. It took Emmit 14 seasons to break it with like 17,000. Barry just tore defenses apart. Best ever.
