- published: 05 Mar 2015
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Barry Sanders (born July 16, 1968) is a former American football running back who spent all of his professional career with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. Sanders left the game just short of the all-time rushing record. Sanders is a member of the college and professional football halls of fame. He is considered one of the greatest and most elusive running backs of all time.
A Wichita, Kansas native, Sanders attended Wichita North High School. Barry started at tailback his sophomore year, but took a back seat to his brother Byron the following year. Sanders did not become the starting running back until the fourth game of his senior year.He rushed for 1,417 in the final seven games of the season, which earned him all-state honors. During that seven game span Sanders averaged 10.2 yards per carry. He was, however, overlooked by most college recruiters because of his 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) size. Although he was a stellar athlete, Barry only had scholarships from Emporia State, Iowa State, Tulsa, and Oklahoma State.