Barry Sanders, who holds 16 offensive rushing records for the Lions, needs 1,458 rushing yards to overtake Walter Payton (16,726 yards) as the NFL's all-time leading rusher. He holds nine all-time NFL records. Here are his year-by-year career highlights:
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Barry Sanders has rushed for more than 1,000 yards in a season 10 times. |
1998
Rushed for 1,491 yards and four touchdowns in team-record 343 carries in '98 en route to 10th straight
Pro Bowl selection. His 343 attempts on the year broke his own team record (342 carries in 1991). Fell
9 yards short of becoming the first player in NFL history to rush for 1,500 yards in five consecutive
seasons (he's already the only player with five overall). Also finished with 37 receptions (third on
team) for 289 yards. Named second-team All-Pro by The Associated Press. The five-game 100-yard
streak he had in Games 6-10 was the second-longest of his career (he had eight 100-yard games during
'98). Most consecutive 100-yard rushing games (14) and most consecutive 100-yard rushing games on
the road (10). His 140-yard effort at Philadelphia (Nov. 8) put him over 1,000-yard plateau for 10th time in
his career, joining Payton as the only other player in NFL history to accomplish that feat. In game vs.
Pittsburgh (Nov. 26) he became the second player in NFL history to exceed 15,000 rushing yards and the
third player to go over the 18,000 total yardage mark. Also vs. Falcons, he moved into second-place on
league's all-time total yardage list passing Herschel Walker.
1997
Enjoyed one of the most prolific seasons in NFL history. Became only the third player in NFL history to
rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season (2,053 yards), joining Eric Dickerson (2,105 in 1984) and
O.J. Simpson (2,003 in 1973). Vaulted into second-place on NFL's all-time rushing list with 13,778
yards, trailing only Walter Payton (16,726 yards) -- began '97 in seventh-place and passed Marcus Allen,
Franco Harris, Jim Brown, Tony Dorsett and Dickerson during course of the year. Set an NFL record for
the most 100-yard games in a season with 14 (also a record for consecutive 100-yard games).
Recorded 100-plus yards in all eight road games, giving him an NFL record 10 such consecutive outings
(dating back to 1996). Became the first player in NFL history to post two 80-yard TD runs in one game -- 80 and 82 yards at Tampa Bay (Oct. 12) -- and three 80-yard TD runs in a single season (he also an 80-yarder
vs. Indianapolis on Nov. 23). Named NFL MVP by Pro Football Writers of America, The Sporting News, Pro
Football Weekly, Football Digest, Sports Illustrated and the Maxwell Club.
1996
Won third career rushing title. ... Finished season with 1,553 yards on the ground. ... Named as starter in
Pro Bowl for eighth straight year, in addition to earning first-team All-Pro honors... Eighth-straight
1,000-yard campaign also broke NFL standard, formerly held by Eric Dickerson with seven.
1995
Named to NFC's starting Pro Bowl squad for the seventh consecutive season. ... Rushed for 1,500 yards,
the third-highest total of his career. ... Finished with a career-high 48 receptions for 398 yards and one
TD. ... Earned several honors including Associated Press All-Pro, All Madden Team.
1994
Named Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year. ... Set a career-high and Lions' single season
rushing record with 1,883. ... His 1,883 yards represent the fourth-highest single season rushing total in
NFL history.
1993
Before suffering an injured left knee, Sanders was leading the NFL with 1,052 yards rushing. ... The sprained
knee forced him to miss the last five games of the regular season. ... Voted to start his fifth straight Pro
Bowl but did not play because of injury. ... Was voted the Lions' Quarterback Club Offensive MVP.
1992
Started his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl ... Earned All-NFC honors from UPI, Football News, Pro
Football Weekly ... Named to the All-Madden Team ... Finished second in the NFC and fourth in the NFL
with 1,352 yards.
1991
Captured consensus All-Pro honors ... NFL Players Association NFC Most Valuable Player ... Football
Digest's "Player of the Year" ... Made his third consecutive start in the Pro-Bowl ... 1991 NFL Touchdown
Leader (17) and second in the league rushing with a club-record 1,548 yards.
1990
Unanimous All-Pro ... Earned his second straight appearance as a Pro Bowl starter ... Claimed the NFL
rushing title with 1,304 yards on 255 carries (5.1 avg.) with 13 TDs ... Named the Lions' Offensive
MVP ... Sanders tied the club record for most TDs in a season (16).
1989
His 1,470 eclipsed the club's single-season rushing mark and the rookie mark previously held by Billy
Sims while his 14 rushing touchdowns established a Detroit record ... The consensus Rookie of the
Year ... Earned a trip to the Pro Bowl.
College
The winner of the Heisman Trophy his junior and final season ... Established 13 NCAA season
records ... Rushed for 3,797 yards and 56 TDs in his college career.