National Football Foundation

Position: Running Back
Years: 1986-1988
Place of Birth: Wichita, KS
Date of Birth: Jul 16, 1968
Jersey Number: 21
Height: 5-8
Weight: 197
High School: Wichita, KS (North HS)

Barry Sanders grew up in Wichita, Kansas working with his father as a roofer during the sweltering Kansas summers. In high school, he passed up the opportunity to set a rushing record with his team far ahead. This act of unselfishness would become one of his trademarks. When he scored, he simply handed the ball to the official. He didn't talk trash or dance in the end zone. When he went to Oklahoma State he played behind All-America Thurman Thomas for two seasons. When Barry became the starting tailback, he put together the most remarkable season ever compiled by a college running back. That year he set 34 NCAA records in winning the Heisman Trophy, Camp, and Maxwell Awards as the nation's top player. Barry led the nation in rushing (2,628), all-purpose yards (3,250), and scoring (234 points). He rushed for over 300 yards in six games and exceeded 200 yards seven times. In the seasons that he spent as a back-up he excelled on special teams, leading the nation in kickoff return average in 1987. Sanders was the third overall selection in the 1989 draft. He won the NFL MVP award three times and was an All-Pro in each of his ten seasons. He retired at the peak of his career and turned down millions of dollars in endorsement deals, stating, "I value my privacy over endorsements."