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Barry Sanders stats: Reliving a career of Hall of Fame highlights with photos

Former Detroit Lions half back Barry Sanders dominated defenses in all ten of his All-Star seasons in the NFL. The elusive rusher ran for over 1,000 yards in every season of his career, topping out at 2,053 rushing yards in 1997. Take a look at some of the best moments of the all-time Detroit Lions rushing leader.

Oklahoma State running back and 1988 Heisman Trophy winner Barry Sanders appears during a news conference after signing his first NFL contract at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich., in 1989. Sanders was the Detroit Lions' first-round draft pick in the 1989 NFL Draft.
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April 23, 1989 - No.3 overall draft pick

Oklahoma State running back and 1988 Heisman Trophy winner Barry Sanders appears during a news conference after signing his first NFL contract at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich., in 1989. Sanders was the Detroit Lions' first-round draft pick in the 1989 NFL Draft.

John Stormzand/Associated Press
Sanders has his first career 100-yard game in a 47-27 loss against the Chicago Bears. Sanders runs for 126 yards and scores one touchdown.
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September 24, 1989 - First career 100-yard game

Sanders has his first career 100-yard game in a 47-27 loss against the Chicago Bears. Sanders runs for 126 yards and scores one touchdown.

David Durochik/Associated Press
In his Monday Night Football debut versus Bo Jackson and the Oakland Raiders on Dec. 10, 1990, Barry Sanders ran for 176 yards, scoring two touchdowns. "Barry Sanders is my new idol. I love the way the guy runs," Jackson said following the game. "When I grow up, I want to be just like him." In this photo, Sanders eludes Oakland Raiders cornerback James Trapp in the first quarter of their game Sunday, Oct. 13, 1996 at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif.
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December 10, 1990 - Monday Night Football debut

In his Monday Night Football debut versus Bo Jackson and the Oakland Raiders on Dec. 10, 1990, Barry Sanders ran for 176 yards, scoring two touchdowns. "Barry Sanders is my new idol. I love the way the guy runs," Jackson said following the game. "When I grow up, I want to be just like him."

In this photo, Sanders eludes Oakland Raiders cornerback James Trapp in the first quarter of their game Sunday, Oct. 13, 1996 at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif.

Andy Kuno/Associated Press
Barry Sanders wins his first rushing title during the 1990 NFL season, rushing for a total of 1,304 yards on the season.
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December 30, 1990 - First career rushing title

Barry Sanders wins his first rushing title during the 1990 NFL season, rushing for a total of 1,304 yards on the season.

Duncan Livingston/Associated Press
Barry Sanders rushes for 220 yards and a career high of four touchdowns in a 34-14 win against the Minnesota Vikings.
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November 24, 1991 - Career-high four touchdowns

Barry Sanders rushes for 220 yards and a career high of four touchdowns in a 34-14 win against the Minnesota Vikings.

Tom Pidgeon/Associated Press
Sanders rushes for a 220 yards and a career-high four touchdowns in a 34-14 win against the Minnesota Vikings. Weeks later, he would set a career-high and league-leading record of 16 rushing touchdowns after a 26-carry effort in a 17-14 win against the Buffalo Bills.
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December 22, 1991 - Rushing touchdown record setter

Sanders rushes for a 220 yards and a career-high four touchdowns in a 34-14 win against the Minnesota Vikings. Weeks later, he would set a career-high and league-leading record of 16 rushing touchdowns after a 26-carry effort in a 17-14 win against the Buffalo Bills.

Al Messerschmidt/Associated Press
On Jan. 5, 1992, Sanders competed in his first playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys. His 12 carries, 69 yards, and one touchdown helped propel the Lions to a 38-6 win against the Cowboys. In this Jan. 12, 1992, file photo, Sanders, left, looks for room to run against the Washington Redskins during the second quarter of the NFC championship. The Redskins defeated the Lions 41-10.
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January 5, 1992 - First playoff game

On Jan. 5, 1992, Sanders competed in his first playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys. His 12 carries, 69 yards, and one touchdown helped propel the Lions to a 38-6 win against the Cowboys.

In this Jan. 12, 1992, file photo, Sanders, left, looks for room to run against the Washington Redskins during the second quarter of the NFC championship. The Redskins defeated the Lions 41-10.

Doug Mills/Associated Press
Sanders carries the football in the NFC's 21-15 victory over the AFC in the 1992 Pro Bowl on Feb. 2, 1992 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. Sanders made the Pro Bowl every season of his 10-year career.
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February 2, 1992 - Pro Bowl

Sanders carries the football in the NFC's 21-15 victory over the AFC in the 1992 Pro Bowl on Feb. 2, 1992 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. Sanders made the Pro Bowl every season of his 10-year career.

Al Messerschmidt/Associated Press
Sanders rushes for a career-high 194 yards on 40 carries in a 20-17 win against the defending NFL champion Dallas Cowboys. Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith rushes for 143 yards on 29 carries and a touchdown.
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September 19, 1994 - Clash with <a href="http://www.nfl.com/player/emmittsmith/2503017/profile">Emmitt</a> and the <a href="http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=DAL">Cowboys</a>

Sanders rushes for a career-high 194 yards on 40 carries in a 20-17 win against the defending NFL champion Dallas Cowboys. Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith rushes for 143 yards on 29 carries and a touchdown.

Werner Slocum/Associated Press
Barry Sanders is announced as the winner of the 1997 NFL MVP Award along with Brett Favre. He would go on to rush for 184 yards against the New York Jets, setting an NFL record of 14-straight 100-yard rushing games while securing his only 2,000-yard rushing season.
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December 18, 1997 - NFL MVP

Barry Sanders is announced as the winner of the 1997 NFL MVP Award along with Brett Favre. He would go on to rush for 184 yards against the New York Jets, setting an NFL record of 14-straight 100-yard rushing games while securing his only 2,000-yard rushing season.

David Durochik/Associated Press
In the fourth quarter of a 27-30 win against the Green Bay Packers, Sanders scores the final touchdown of his career on a 73-yard run.
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October 15, 1998 - Final career touchdown

In the fourth quarter of a 27-30 win against the Green Bay Packers, Sanders scores the final touchdown of his career on a 73-yard run.

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press
Barry Sanders is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame a year after his induction to the College Football Hall of Fame.
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August 8, 2004 - Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction

Barry Sanders is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame a year after his induction to the College Football Hall of Fame.

Jose Juarez/Associated Press
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