1 of 10

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

average of only 1,288.61 yards a season with an average of 8.46 touchdowns a season. The facts are evident that Payton was an outstanding running back which no one can take that away from him. He helped his team win big games and set himself in stone with the rushing record, but the record itself doesn't mean he was the best. This only means that at first glance Payton has better statistics than that of Sanders.

Encyclopedia of World Biography and Kram both agree that the men were equally matched in size. Payton was only 5'10'' and weighed 204 lbs while Sanders was 5'8'' and weighed 210 lbs so their size can't help determine which of the two was better. The two athletes have both been placed in the NFL's Hall-of-Fame. Sanders received many awards throughout his career including most valuable player (MVP) three different times.

Sanders was elected to play in the Pro-Bowl every year that he was in the NFL. Payton also received the MVP award and was elected to play in the Pro-Bowl ten times in his 13 year career. Therefore both players have received similar awards and have obtained similar statistics throughout their careers and both were close to the same size. Yet the one thing that sets them apart is the years they played and the all-time NFL rushing record.

The math is very simple, Sanders only played ten seasons while Payton played 13. Yet, Sanders was surprisingly only 1,457 yards short of breaking Payton's record with three less years played. Sanders retired in his prime while averaging over 1,500 yards a season it is easy to say that if he would have played one more year the record would have been his. We can only imagine the records and statistics Sanders would have been able to set if he would have played as long as most running backs do.

So on one hand there is Payton this great guy with the all-time rushing record that no doubt he worked hard for, however on the other hand you have Sanders another great guy that worked just as hard but maybe a little bit better. Still Sanders came up short of the record because he didn't play as long as Payton did. So did Payton earn the record sure, but does he deserve it? The record should belong to the best running back of all-time, to find your answer just do the math.

They say records are made to be broken and legends die hard, but only time can tell what lies in store for these two legendary athletes.

Learn more about this author, Chris Bordelon.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about Why Barry Sanders is the best football running back in NFL history?
We want to hear your view. Write now!