By James Stevenson
Fall 2023
Barry Sanders was one of the greatest running backs in OSU history. No doubt in his mind did he think that him coming here was going to be his steppingstone to be something great and have his jersey number put in the stadium next to other OSU Legends and winning the Heisman Trophy his junior year of college in 1988 before declaring for the draft.
Barry Sanders was born on July 16,1989 in Wichita Kansas, the largest state in the city of Kansas. He was one of the eleven children in his family born to his parents William and Shirley Sanders to whom he natured his quiet, nature, and humbleness while following the lead of his older brothers. Barry began to play football at a young age and often he could be found playing in the fields surrounding his Kansas home imitating his favorite Running backs. Guys like Eric Dickerson, Eric Metcalf, Marcus Allen, And Tony Dorsett. He only played defensive back most of his high school career. In 1985 Coach B took over and in the fourth game of his senior year Coach B said, Hey Kid you’re playing Running Back this game get ready. His 1,400+ yard season earned him All-state honors, however due to his size he received only 4 scholarship offers, including one from Oklahoma State University.
In Barry freshman year of college at Oklahoma State University. He Backed up Thurman Thomas for his first two years and although leading the nation in kick-off return yards was a sign of what was to come, no one could have expected what Barry did his junior year. His 1988 season is widely regarded as the greatest single offensive season in college history. He set 36 NCAA records that season, including 7.6 yards per carry, over 320 total yards per game, 2,628 yards rushing, 3,248 total yards, 234 points, and 39 touchdowns in only eleven games. These totals don’t include the five touchdowns and 225 yards he had in the 1988 Holiday Bowl. At the end of the season Barry won the 1988 Heisman Trophy, which he accepted the five touch downs and 225 yards he had in the 1988 Holiday Bowl. At the end of the season Barry won the 1988 Heisman Trophy, which he accepted in Japan. In the Press conference he stated “I thank God for putting me in this position. You know I could’ve done it without him. Secondly, I like to thank my offensive line and my fullback for breaking his leg and doing such a great job you know like I couldn’t ask for a better season out of those guys, and you know I like to thank Willam and Shirley Sanders for being so inspirational in my life and bringing me up the way they know I should be brought up thanks a lot.” (Sanders 0:13-0:36). Becoming the first Heisman winner to rush for 225 yards and s TDs the day he won the trophy His pro workout day was legendary. He came out to the field, leaped up and grabbed the crossbar to do a one arm pull up for the coaches that were assembled. He ran a 4.3 forty and followed it up with a 4.29. He benched a 225 Ibs., 27 times and then asked the coaches if that was good enough. He had 44 vertical leap that led this guy named Wayne Fortes to light a cigar and he told the other coaches to go home. Wayn was taking Barry, and with that, he declared for the NFL Draft.
After having a Fa nominal Pro workout, the Detroit Lions picked Barry Sanders in the 3rd round pick in the 1989 NFL Draft. He played ten pro bowl seasons in the NFL, all for the Lions averaging over 1500 yards rushing on the ground per season. He won the Most valuable player award (MVP) award in 1993 and 1917. He also got to be on the cover of Madden 25 a legendary game in the year of 2013 and he was on the cover of Madden 2000 as well. Rushing for 2,053 yards and eleven touchdowns that year. Barry left the game just 1,457 yards short of passing one of the Goats Bears Nation called him Walter Payton, but the true fans called him (Sweetness) to becoming the first on the NFL All-Time List. He still holds ten NFL records. Barry retired after the 1988 season and has resided in Detroit since. He considers his relationships with Detroit Loins fans one of his great accomplishments in the game. Barry was inducted to both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004. In the year 2020, He was named to the NFL All-Time Team as one of its greatest 100 hundred Players and listed at number nine on college Football’s “150 Greatest Players” list. With all the Greatness he bought to the table as the best athlete to ever play the sport of Football “Oklahoma State unveiled Barry Sanders’ statue at the northwest corner of Boone Pickens Stadium on Saturday evening ahead of Sanders’ induction into the ring of honor” (Marshall Scott). It was unveiled in 2021.
Works Cited
“Barry Sanders Heisman Trophy Ceremony,” YouTube. Uploaded by okstate82, 02 Dec. 2008
“Oklahoma State Unveils Barry Sanders Statue,” Pistols Firing. Published by Marshall Scott, 13 Nov. 2021 https://pistolsfiringblog.com/oklahoma-state-unveils-barry-sanders-statue/
archiveoklahoma.com 