Fansided

Best throwback jersey each NFL fan should buy

By Brad Weiss

1 Nov 1992: Quarterback Jim Kelly of the Buffalo Bills passes the ball during a game against the New England Patriots at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills won the game, 16-7. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport
1 Nov 1992: Quarterback Jim Kelly of the Buffalo Bills passes the ball during a game against the New England Patriots at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills won the game, 16-7. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 15: Barry Sanders #20 of the Detroit Lions carries the ball against the Philadelphia Eangles during an NFL football game September 15, 1996 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sanders played for the Lions from 1989-98.(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 15: Barry Sanders #20 of the Detroit Lions carries the ball against the Philadelphia Eangles during an NFL football game September 15, 1996 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sanders played for the Lions from 1989-98.(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Detroit Lions – Barry Sanders

Established in 1930 as the Portsmouth Spartans, the Detroit Lions have a long history when it comes to professional football. In 1933, they made the permanent name change to the Detroit Lions, and since then, they have had a pretty up and down run as an NFL franchise.

The success came early for the Lions, as they won four NFL championships prior to the merger with the AFL. Since then, they have not won any, and for a time, it looked like they would never even make the playoffs. From 1999-2011, the Lions played no postseason football, which is quite a run of futility.

When it comes to the history of the franchise, one name stands well above the rest of the players who ever put on a Lions uniform. That man is Barry Sanders, and from 1989-98, he was the best running back in the NFL, winning an MVP award, and going to the Pro Bowl in every season he was with the Lions.

Sanders retired early, at age 30, but the visions of him carving up defenses is still very vivid in the minds of Lions fans, and NFL fans. The solid blue jersey that he wore during his time in the NFL is the throwback one to have for Lions fans, as it brings them back to the days when they had an explosive offense.

Detroit has made it to the playoffs in two of the last four seasons, and they have a tremendous quarterback in Matthew Stafford. They barely missed out on the playoffs last season, but with a bolstered offensive line, and better players on defense, they could shock some people in 2018.

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