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To truly capture the man Barry Sanders, you have to look back before NFL history. Back to his. In high school Barry Sanders didn't play the position that ultimately changed his life until the fourth game of his senior season. In the following seven games he rushed for 1,322 yards, which gave him All-state honors. Only being five-eight and getting those stats against Kansas football schools who have not historically been known as having the tenacity of a Texas or Florida surely lowered his stock. Several colleges overlooked him and he chose Oklahoma State out of the few offers he got.

He spent the first two years of college behind future NFL standout and college All-American Thurman Thomas. His junior year 1988, quite possibly the most electrifying year in college football history, he excelled. Rushing for totals unimagined before. Totals that first shed light on the fact that he was changing the game. His 2,826 rushing yards, 3,429 total yards, 234 points and 39 touchdowns. Were numbers that made even Lawrence Taylor's 16 sacks his senior year look dull; and it earned Barry the Heisman.

Much like Lawrence Taylor his impact in the NFL was immediate. Detroit's last hero was selected 3rd in the 1989 draft. Management considered drafting another college standout and future game changer Deion Sanders. But coach Wayne Fontes convinced them to go after Barry. He knew the true genius behind Barry's success and it was his genes. Despite the fact that he stood only five-eight he only weighed a little lower than the NFL average. He weighed 203 lbs, the same weight as the great Walter Payton. What truly ended up making Barry Sanders the best running back in NFL history is no secret, true to the title of his job his legs were meant for one thing. To run. Their massive size gave him blazing speed and a low center of gravity. And more important explosiveness.

What really fascinates I think the most about Barry Sanders was the way he seemed to be the ultimate weapon in the gladiator arena that is football. Moves like his will never be forgotten but even more dazzling was his character. Barry never was flashy despite showing it every Sunday on the field. He preferred to be modest and have humility. Congratulating his teammates after the game and going home; not to a party or club. He was Detroit's heart and seemed to mirror their hard working values. I think his personality was summed up the most when he refused to go into the last game of the season just

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