ESPN Declares Barry Sanders the Greatest Running Back in NFL History, Surpassing Walter Payton, Jim Brown, Emmitt Smith, and Other All-Time Legends
Bristol, CT – In a historic ranking released by ESPN, the worldwide leader in sports has officially declared Barry Sanders as the greatest running back in NFL history, surpassing a pantheon of all-time legends including Walter Payton, Jim Brown, Emmitt Smith, Eric Dickerson, and LaDainian Tomlinson.
The announcement, part of ESPN’s “NFL 100: Position Rankings” series, marks the culmination of decades of debate over who truly stands at the top of the running back mountain. And according to analysts, former players, and Hall of Fame voters surveyed by ESPN, no one ever did it like Barry.
The Elusive Icon
Playing just 10 seasons with the Detroit Lions (1989–1998), Sanders racked up an astonishing 15,269 rushing yards, 99 rushing touchdowns, and 10 Pro Bowl selections. He retired abruptly at the age of 30—while still in his prime—yet his stats and impact are still unmatched. ESPN’s report emphasized that “no back in history made defenders miss quite like Sanders. He turned broken plays into ballet performances. He made the impossible look routine.”
Beating the Best of the Best
To claim the title of the greatest, Sanders had to surpass giants:
- Walter Payton – Beloved for his power, grace, and work ethic. He retired as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher and embodied toughness.
- Jim Brown – Dominated his era like no one else. A three-time MVP and the only player to average over 100 rushing yards per game for a career.
- Emmitt Smith – The NFL’s all-time leading rusher and a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Dallas Cowboys.
- Eric Dickerson – Holds the single-season rushing record (2,105 yards in 1984) and was a physical freak with elite breakaway speed.
- LaDainian Tomlinson – A touchdown machine and do-it-all back, who redefined versatility in the 2000s.
Yet even among such greatness, Sanders stood out. As former NFL linebacker Ray Lewis once put it, “Barry Sanders wasn’t just the best running back I ever faced—he was the best football player I ever saw.”
A Style That Will Never Be Duplicated
Sanders’ running style was something out of a video game—sudden stops, insane spin moves, ankle-breaking cuts, and 360-degree vision. While many backs bulldozed or outran defenders, Barry danced around them. ESPN’s panel praised him for turning negative-yardage plays into highlight-reel moments almost effortlessly.
“What he did behind average offensive lines was superhuman,” said one NFL analyst in the ESPN feature. “He didn’t need perfect blocking. He was the blocking.”
Humble Greatness
Despite being crowned as the greatest, Sanders remains as humble today as he was during his playing days.
“I never chased numbers or records. I just wanted to give the fans something to cheer for,” Sanders said in response to the ranking. “To be mentioned with names like Payton and Brown is already an honor. To be considered the greatest? That’s surreal.”
A Legacy Etched in Greatness
Though he never won a Super Bowl and walked away with gas left in the tank, Barry Sanders’ greatness was never about team trophies—it was about redefining what a running back could be. Now, ESPN has made it official: Barry Sanders is not just the greatest Lion or the most electrifying player ever—he is the greatest running back in NFL history.
Being a lifelong Detroiter,I knew that,watching Barry,I’d never see another back like him.