Sep 11, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Former Detroit Lions Barry Sanders chat with Owner/Chair Emeritus of the Detroit Lions Martha Firestone Ford before the start of the NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Lions to honor Hall of Famer Barry Sanders with statue

The Detroit Lions will unveil a statue of Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders at Ford Field prior to the 2023 season.

Sanders will become the first Lions player to be immortalized with a statue.

“It is with immense pride that we share the news that we will be honoring the greatest running back in the history of football with a statue in the city we represent,” said Sheila Ford Hamp, the team’s principal owner and chair, told the team’s website Sunday. “Generations upon generations of fans will learn about Barry and his contributions not only to the Lions, but to the game of football. He is truly in a class of his own, and while we may never see a player quite as electrifying or elusive again, Barry’s legacy will live forever and be tangible right here in Detroit.”

Sanders, now 54, played 10 seasons with the Lions, who selected him with the third overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft. He racked up numerous awards, including NFL MVP (1997), NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1994, 1997), NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (1989) and first-team All-Pro (1989-1991, 1994, 1995, 1997).

A 10-time Pro Bowl selection, Sanders led the NFL in rushing yards four times (1990, 1994, 1996, 1997) and was named to the 1990s All-Decade Team as well as the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.

“Detroit has been my home ever since I was drafted by the Lions in 1989,” Sanders said. “This statue means the city will be my home forever, it’s surreal. There is no way that I can express my gratitude to the entire Ford family, my teammates, my coaches, the Lions front office, the media, and most of all to the fans. As I soak it all in and reflect on my career, I recognize what a tremendous honor this is.”

Sanders ran for 15,269 yards — good for fourth all-time on the NFL rushing list — and 99 touchdowns. He caught 352 passes for 2,921 yards and another 10 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Former Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders applauds during a halftime presentation at Ford Field, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019. The Lions lost, 34-30.

Barry Sanders

Hall of Famer Barry Sanders tests positive for COVID-19

Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders said Friday he is asymptomatic after testing positive for COVID-19.

“Despite being double vaccinated, wearing a mask, and taking all the precautions I could … I tested positive for COVID,” the Detroit Lions great posted on Twitter. “I don’t have any symptoms, but am staying in until I get the green light from the Docs.”

Sanders, 53, said he will be “ready to go” by the time the Lions kick off the regular season on Sept. 12 against the visiting San Francisco 49ers.

“Get well. We’ll see you soon!” the Lions’ official Twitter account wrote to Sanders.

A 10-time Pro Bowl selection, six-time All-Pro, two-time Offensive Player of the Year and the 1997 league MVP, Sanders was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.

Sanders ranks fourth on the NFL’s all-time rushing list with 15,269 yards. He scored 109 touchdowns (99 rushing) in 153 games with the Lions from 1989-98.

–Field Level Media

Nov 28, 2019; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions former player Barry Sanders before the game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma State to add Barry Sanders to Ring of Honor

Oklahoma State will honor Barry Sanders with a spot in its Ring of Honor and a statue outside Boone Pickens Stadium.

He will take his place in the Ring of Honor on Nov. 13, when the Cowboys host TCU.

Sanders, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame after a stellar career with the Detroit Lions, was a starter for just one season at Oklahoma State.

In 1988, he ran for 2,850 yards — an average of 237.5 per game — and scored 44 touchdowns. He had four games with at least 300 yards rushing, and in one incredible three-game span, ran for a combined 937 yards and 13 touchdowns against Kansas, Iowa State and Texas Tech.

He went on to win the Heisman Trophy and earn unanimous All-America honors after the 1988 season, which was his third at Oklahoma State. He spent his first two seasons in Stillwater as the backup to another future Hall of Fame member, Thurman Thomas.

Sanders, 53, becomes just the second member of the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor, following Thomas.

Sanders skipped his senior season and was selected No. 3 overall by the Detroit Lions in the 1989 NFL Draft. In 10 seasons, he ran for 15,269 yards, which stands fourth all-time behind Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton and Frank Gore.

With the Lions, he scored 109 touchdowns — 99 rushing, 10 receiving — and was a 10-time Pro Bowl section and six-time First-Team All-Pro. Sanders was named MVP in 1997 when he led the NFL with 2,053 rushing yards and 2,358 yards from scrimmage.

–Field Level Media