Detroit Lions to make Barry Sanders statue at Ford Field

From 1989-98, Barry Sanders was shredding NFL defenses as a star running back for the Detroit Lions. While Sanders’ career might have been shorter than most expected, it remains an iconic one and one that will never be forgotten by Lions fans. On Sunday in Detroit, the franchise announced Sanders will become the first player in franchise history to have a statue at Ford Field.

“It is with immense pride that we share the news that we will be honoring the greatest running back in the history of football with a statue in the city we represent,” Detroit Lions Principal Owner and Chair Sheila Ford Hamp said. “Generations upon generations of fans will learn about Barry and his contributions not only to the Lions, but to the game of football. He is truly in a class of his own, and while we may never see a player quite as electrifying or elusive again, Barry’s legacy will live forever and be tangible right here in Detroit.”

It is easy to see why Sanders is such a legend in the eyes of Lions fans. The third overall pick coming out of Oklahoma State in the 1989 NFL Draft, Sanders was the NFL’s MVP in 1997, a two-time Offensive Player of the Year, and a 10-time All-Pro selection, six of which were First Team selections.

Sanders had at least 1,100 rushing yards every year he played in the NFL and had a career-high 2,053 yards in his second to last year on the field. However, he made the shocking decision at the young age of 30 to walk away from the game.

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“I was feeling like I’d done enough, ready to move on,” Sanders said of his career in 2013, according to Bleacher Report. “…I was never that guy who was going to stay and play until they had to cart me off the field. Some guys have that love of the game where they’re going to get every last play. At year 10, I lost that determination to do it every day.”

Prior to his days in the NFL, Sanders was an iconic running back for Oklahoma State. In 1988, Sanders ran for 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns in 11 games with the Cowboys. He was a two-time All-American, a Heisman Trophy winner, Maxwell Award winner and Walter Camp Award winner, among many other honors in his career.

Detroit struggling to find success

During Sanders’ time as a Lion, he helped carry the franchise to the playoffs five times. However, Detroit never made it to the Super Bowl during his career. Things have not gone well for Detroit since Sanders retired.

Since 1999, the Lions have made the playoffs just four times and have never been past the wildcard round. Detroit is in the second year of the Dan Campbell era but things are not off to a hot start, as he is a combined 4-18-1 as the Lions coach.