Any time you visit Ford Field in Detroit, you’ll now have the opportunity to take a picture with the bronze statue of Lions’ legend and Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders.
On Saturday evening, the Lions unveiled the stature of the most iconic player in franchise history. Sanders is the first Lions’ player to have his legacy honored with a statue of himself:
The Oklahoma State product was drafted third overall by the Lions in 1989. He spent his entire career (1989 to 1998) with the franchise, exceeding 1,000 yards rushing and earning a Pro Bowl selection every year.
Sanders was named co-MVP alongside Green Bay Packers’ quarterback Brett Favre in 1997 after rushing for 2,053 yards and 11 touchdowns. Though he unexpectedly retired after the 1998 season, Sanders sits fourth all-time on the NFL rushing leaderboard with 15,269.
Sanders led Detroit to the postseason five times in his Hall of Fame career, getting as far as the 1991 NFC Championship Game, where they lost to Washington.
