MVP Profile: Barry Sanders, 1994

Running Back, Detroit Lions

Age: 26

6^th season in pro football & with Lions

College: Oklahoma State

Height: 5’8”   Weight: 203

Prelude:

Following a Heisman-winning season as a junior, Sanders chose to forego his last year of eligibility and turn pro. Taken by the Lions in the first round of the 1989 NFL draft (third overall), he had an immediate impact, rushing for 1470 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was not just Rookie of the Year but went to the Pro Bowl and was a consensus first team All-Pro. Sanders made up for lack of size with outstanding elusiveness and running instincts. He followed up with a league-leading 1304 yards in 1990 and 17 touchdowns, to go along with 1548 rushing yards in ‘91, and was a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection after each. Sanders continued to be chosen to the Pro Bowl in 1992 and ’93, although he missed the last five games in 1993 due to a sprained knee ligament. Still, he rushed for 1115 yards while averaging 101.4 yards per game.

1994 Season Summary

Appeared and started in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 331 [4]

Most attempts, game - 40 (for 194 yds.) at Dallas 9/19

Yards – 1883 [1]

Most yards, game – 237 yards (on 26 carries) vs. Tampa Bay 11/13

Average gain – 5.7 [1]

TDs – 7 [8, tied with seven others]

200-yard rushing games – 1

100-yard rushing games – 10

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 44      

Most receptions, game – 8 (for 51 yds.) at Green Bay 11/6

Yards – 283

Most yards, game - 58 (on 7 catches) at Miami 12/25

Average gain – 6.4

TDs – 1

All-purpose yards – 2166 [2]

Scoring

TDs – 8 [17, tied with seven others]

Points – 48

Postseason: 1 G (NFC Wild Card playoff at Green Bay)

Rushing attempts – 13

Rushing yards – -1

Average gain rushing – -0.1

Rushing TDs – 0

Pass receptions – 3

Pass receiving yards - 4

Average yards per reception – 1.3

Pass Receiving TDs - 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Offensive Player of the Year: AP

1^st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, Sporting News

1^st team All-NFC: UPI, Pro Football Weekly

Pro Bowl

Lions went 9-7 to finish third in the NFC Central while qualifying for a Wild Card playoff berth and leading the NFC in rushing yards (2080). Lost NFC Wild Card playoff to Green Bay Packers (16-12).

Aftermath:

Sanders rushed for 1500 yards in 1995 and maintained his excellence over a career of ten years before abruptly retiring after the 1998 season. He led the league in ground-gaining four times, including a 2053-yard total in ’97, and never failed to gain a thousand yards – his lowest total was the 1115 in 1993, when he suffered his only extended loss of playing time. Sanders was selected for the Pro Bowl following all ten seasons, was a consensus first-team All-Pro six times, and with his exciting, often-improvisational running style was a highlight film regular. He retired with 15,269 rushing yards and scored a total of 109 touchdowns. Sanders was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2004.

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MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league itself).