Detroit Lions all-time Mount Rushmore

PONTIAC, : This 21 December 1997 file photo show Detroit Lions Barry Sanders as he is carried off of the field by his teammates after he became one of three players to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season against the New York Jets 21 December 1997 at the Pontiac, Mich, Silverdome. Sanders will reportedly announce his retirement from football after a 10-year career. AFP PHOTO Jeff KOWALSKY (Photo credit should read JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders (2ndL) tries to outrun Minnesota Vikings defenders Corey Fuller (L), Ed McDaniel (2ndR) and Dixon Edwards (R) during the fourth quarter of their 25 October game at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan. The Vikings beat the Lions 34-13. AFP Photo/Jeff KOWALSKY (Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP) (Photo credit should read JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images) /

Detroit Lions Mount Rushmore: RB Barry Sanders

Electrifying.

Mesmerizing.

Unique.

There are so many ways describe running back Barry Sanders, who opted to leave the game after 10 seasons in the league. But what a stretch of excellence and is often in the discussion in regards to being the top player at his position in NFL annals.

He was the third overall pick in what proved to be an amazing draft in 1989. He was chosen after quarterback Troy Aikman and tackle Tony Mandarich and after linebacker Derrick Thomas and cornerback Deion Sanders.

Of course, Sanders, Aikman, Thomas and Sanders are all enshrined in Canton. In just 10 seasons, all of which ended with a Pro Bowl invitation, he ran for 15,269 yards – topped only in league history by fellow Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith (18,355) and Walter Payton (16,726) and still-active veteran Frank Gore (15,347).

Sanders was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his 10 NFL seasons and ran for at least 1,300 yards in nine of those campaigns. He would play 155 regular-season games and averaged just under a c-note per contest (99.8) when it came to rushing yards.

The six-time All-Pro and four-time NFL rushing champion shared league MVP honors with Packers’ quarterback Brett Favre in 1997. And Detroit’s running attack hasn’t been the same since.

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