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Detroit LionsHall of Fame running back Barry Sanders was only 31 years old and still in his prime when he hung up his cleats for good in 1999. Sanders was just 1,457 yards shy of Walter Payton’s NFL all-time rushing record when he unexpectedly walked away from the game.
Sanders had a legitimate chance to break the record if he played at least one more year. He had just rushed for 1,491 yards in the 1998 regular season. In hindsight, does Sanders regret retiring after 10 years and on the cusp of the NFL’s most prestigious record for a running back?
Not at all.
“I really don’t (have regrets). I was in my prime, but I had played many, many years. Those 10 years were plenty for me at that point,” Sanders said to USA TODAY Sports on behalf of Sleep Number. “I wouldn't say, regret. I enjoyed playing. I think because I had those great 10 years to play. I don't know if I can say get it out of my system. But, certainly leaving on my terms, and when I did, it was the right time for me.”
BARRY SANDERS: Lions turnaround has been 'miraculous'
Regarding the NFL’s all-time rushing record, Sanders is just fine where he stands in history.
“I would’ve had a chance (to break the record),” Sanders added. “It was certainly important. At the time Walter Payton held it. It was certainly important. For me, my mind and my heart were somewhere else. Being on that list, I’m still kind of toward the top of the list. So, I didn’t mind finishing where I did.”
Fellow Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith has since taken ownership of the NFL’s rushing record at 18,355 career yards. Sanders’ 15,269 rushing yards rank fourth all-time. He’s the only running back in the top five who didn’t play more than 10 seasons.
Smith, who played 15 NFL seasons, is the lone running back in history with over 18,000 rushing yards. A running back would need longevity and good healthy fortune to have a shot at Smith’s mark. Does Sanders believe Smith’s record is attainable?
“I think so. In today's world, athletes they know more about taking care of their bodies. Even though it is a more passing oriented league, I think that it's not, it's not impossible, or out of the realm of possibility for Derrick Henry or a Saquon Barkley or maybe someone else to break the record,” Sanders said. “It was probably easier maybe in previous generations, where it was more run oriented. But at the same time, I do think that there's less wear and tear on your body on an everyday basis for a lot of players, and because I think players are much more knowledgeable about taking care of their bodies and extending their careers and things like that. So, I wouldn't put it past one of these guys that are playing in today's world.”
Interestingly, Sanders mentioned both Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley.
Henry, 31, is the NFL’s active leader in rushing yards. His 11,423 total rushing yards rank 19th on the league’s all-time list. He would have to rush for his career regular-season average of 1,428 yards for the next five seasons to break the record.
Barkley, who just set the NFL single-season record, including the playoffs, in rushing yards, has 7,216 career rushing yards. Barkley, 28, is over 11,000 yards from Smith’s mark.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Barry Sanders believes NFL all-time rushing record can be broken
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Sanders had a legitimate chance to break the record if he played at least one more year. He had just rushed for 1,491 yards in the 1998 regular season. In hindsight, does Sanders regret retiring after 10 years and on the cusp of the NFL’s most prestigious record for a running back?
Not at all.
“I really don’t (have regrets). I was in my prime, but I had played many, many years. Those 10 years were plenty for me at that point,” Sanders said to USA TODAY Sports on behalf of Sleep Number. “I wouldn't say, regret. I enjoyed playing. I think because I had those great 10 years to play. I don't know if I can say get it out of my system. But, certainly leaving on my terms, and when I did, it was the right time for me.”
BARRY SANDERS: Lions turnaround has been 'miraculous'
Regarding the NFL’s all-time rushing record, Sanders is just fine where he stands in history.
“I would’ve had a chance (to break the record),” Sanders added. “It was certainly important. At the time Walter Payton held it. It was certainly important. For me, my mind and my heart were somewhere else. Being on that list, I’m still kind of toward the top of the list. So, I didn’t mind finishing where I did.”
Fellow Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith has since taken ownership of the NFL’s rushing record at 18,355 career yards. Sanders’ 15,269 rushing yards rank fourth all-time. He’s the only running back in the top five who didn’t play more than 10 seasons.
Smith, who played 15 NFL seasons, is the lone running back in history with over 18,000 rushing yards. A running back would need longevity and good healthy fortune to have a shot at Smith’s mark. Does Sanders believe Smith’s record is attainable?
“I think so. In today's world, athletes they know more about taking care of their bodies. Even though it is a more passing oriented league, I think that it's not, it's not impossible, or out of the realm of possibility for Derrick Henry or a Saquon Barkley or maybe someone else to break the record,” Sanders said. “It was probably easier maybe in previous generations, where it was more run oriented. But at the same time, I do think that there's less wear and tear on your body on an everyday basis for a lot of players, and because I think players are much more knowledgeable about taking care of their bodies and extending their careers and things like that. So, I wouldn't put it past one of these guys that are playing in today's world.”
Interestingly, Sanders mentioned both Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley.
Henry, 31, is the NFL’s active leader in rushing yards. His 11,423 total rushing yards rank 19th on the league’s all-time list. He would have to rush for his career regular-season average of 1,428 yards for the next five seasons to break the record.
Barkley, who just set the NFL single-season record, including the playoffs, in rushing yards, has 7,216 career rushing yards. Barkley, 28, is over 11,000 yards from Smith’s mark.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Barry Sanders believes NFL all-time rushing record can be broken
Continue reading...
