Editing Barry Sanders (section)

==== Early years and postseason win (1989–1991) ====
As a rookie in 1989, Sanders started 13 out of a possible 16 games for the Lions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1989 Detroit Lions Roster & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/1989_roster.htm |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> In his first career professional game against the [[1989 Phoenix Cardinals season|Phoenix Cardinals]] on September 10, Sanders ran for 71 yards on nine attempts and scored a rushing touchdown in the 16–13 loss.{{Sfn|Crompton|2008|p=30, 32}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Phoenix Cardinals at Detroit Lions - September 10th, 1989 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198909100det.htm |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Against the [[1989 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]], Sanders compiled 126 yards on 18 attempts and a touchdown in the 47–27 loss, but became injured with bruised ribs and a [[hip pointer]] that plagued him through the rest of the season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions - September 24th, 1989 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198909240det.htm |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Raffo |first=Dave |date=September 25, 1989 |title=NFL Roundup |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/09/25/NFL-Roundup/7243622699200/ |access-date=February 25, 2022 |website=[[UPI]] |language=en}}</ref>{{Sfn|Crompton|2008|p=33}} On October 1, Sanders only had one yard on five attempts against the [[1989 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]] in the 23–3 loss.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pittsburgh Steelers at Detroit Lions - October 1st, 1989 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198910010det.htm |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Against the [[1989 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]], Sanders had 23 attempts for 99 yards in the 24–17 loss.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings - October 8th, 1989 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198910080min.htm |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> After the game, Vikings head coach [[Jerry Burns]] asked game officials to check if Sanders had applied [[silicone]] to himself; Burns believed this was why his players had difficulty [[Tackle (football move)|tackling]] him.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stroud |first=Rick |date=September 27, 1992 |title=Bucs need tricks to cope with the disappearing act |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1992/09/27/bucs-need-tricks-to-cope-with-the-disappearing-act/ |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}</ref> No illegal substance was ever found.{{Sfn|Crompton|2008|p=33}} On December 24, the final game of the season, he had 158 yards on 20 attempts to go along with three touchdowns against the [[1989 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons - December 24th, 1989 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198912240atl.htm |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> During the game, the Lions installed a special phone line in one of the press boxes to monitor [[Christian Okoye]], a running back for the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] who, at the time, was tied with Sanders for the league rushing title. When Okoye's game ended, Sanders trailed Okoye by only ten yards. Fontes offered Sanders the chance to return to the Lions' game to gain enough yards to pass Okoye, after Sanders was pulled from the game when the score was in the Lions' favor. Yet Sanders declined to return to the game, letting Okoye keep the rushing title.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Austin |date=September 10, 1990 |title=A LAMB AMONG LIONS |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1990/09/10/a-lamb-among-lions-a-gentle-soul-off-the-field-barry-sanders-runs-up-a-storm-for-detroit |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=Sports Illustrated Vault |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1989 NFL Rushing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1989/rushing.htm |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=Birkett |first=Dave |date=July 15, 2018 |title=Barry Sanders at 50: Here are 20 tales about No. 20 you might not know |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/07/15/detroit-lions-barry-sanders-stories/777711002/ |access-date=February 20, 2022 |website=[[Detroit Free Press]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Sanders finished the season totaling 1,470 rushing yards off of 280 attempts and 14 touchdowns.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Barry Sanders 1989 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SandBa00/gamelog/1989/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107172709/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SandBa00/gamelog/1989/ |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |access-date=June 2, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |publisher=[[Sports Reference, LLC]] |language=en}}</ref> His rushing total was both a rookie franchise record, and a franchise record for any running back in Lions history (both records held previously by [[Billy Sims]]).<ref name="statmuse.com">{{Cite web |title=Most Rushing Yards In A Season Lions Player |url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/most-rushing-yards-in-a-season-lions-player |access-date=February 5, 2022 |website=www.statmuse.com |publisher=[[StatMuse]] |language=en}}</ref> Sanders was awarded the [[National Football League Rookie of the Year Award|NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award]], and named to the [[PFWA All-Rookie Team]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Winners |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/ap-offensive-rookie-of-the-year-award.htm |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> He was also selected to the [[Pro Bowl]] and was named a [[All-Pro|first-team All-Pro]] by the [[Associated Press]] (AP).<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=1989 NFL All-Rookie Team |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/nfl-all-rookie-1989.htm |access-date=June 12, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |publisher=[[Sports Reference, LLC]] |language=en}}</ref> The Lions struggled that season, posting a {{Abbr|7–9|7 wins, 9 losses}} record and failing to make the [[NFL playoffs|postseason]], despite winning five straight games to end the year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1989 Detroit Lions Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/1989.htm |access-date=June 10, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |publisher=[[Sports Reference, LLC]] |language=en}}</ref>

On September 9, 1990, against the [[1990 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]], Sanders had 79 yards from 14 rushing attempts and a goal-line touchdown in the 38–21 loss in the Lions' regular season opener.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions - September 9th, 1990 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199009090det.htm |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Against the [[1990 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]] on September 30, Sanders had 20 attempts for 94 yards in the 24–21 loss in Week 4.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions - September 30th, 1990 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199009300det.htm |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Sanders had 16 attempts for 90 yards and a touchdown, coupled with five receptions for 135 yards receiving and a 47-yard receiving touchdown against the [[1990 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]] in the 43–24 loss in Week 6.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs - October 14th, 1990 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199010140kan.htm |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> On November 4, playing against the [[1990 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]], Sanders had 11 rushes for 104 yards and a touchdown, in a game where the Lions surrendered a 21-point lead to lose 38–41.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Washington Redskins at Detroit Lions - November 4th, 1990 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199011040det.htm |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Detroit Lions Biggest Blown Leads |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/blown_leads.htm |access-date=January 27, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |publisher=[[Sports Reference, LLC]] |language=en}}</ref> On December 10 against the [[1990 Los Angeles Raiders season|Los Angeles Raiders]], Sanders was credited with a season-high 176 yards from 25 attempts and two touchdowns in the 38–31 loss.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Los Angeles Raiders at Detroit Lions - December 10th, 1990 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199012100det.htm |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> He earned his first NFC Offensive Player of the Week honor for his game against the Raiders.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 NFL Week 14 Leaders & Scores |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1990/week_14.htm |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> On December 22 against the Packers, Sanders had 19 attempts for 133 yards and a touchdown in the 24–17 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers - December 22nd, 1990 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199012220gnb.htm |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Sanders had a productive year, finishing the year first in the NFL in rushing yards, with 1,304, becoming the first Lions running back to lead the league in rushing yards since [[Byron White]] in [[1940 NFL season|1940]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Rushing Yards Year-by-Year Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rush_yds_year_by_year.htm |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1940 NFL Rushing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1940/rushing.htm |access-date=February 5, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |publisher=[[Sports Reference, LLC]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Barry Sanders 1990 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SandBa00/gamelog/1990/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321112157/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SandBa00/gamelog/1990/ |archive-date=March 21, 2021 |access-date=February 5, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |publisher=[[Sports Reference, LLC]] |language=en}}</ref> He ranked third in rushing touchdowns (13), and sixth in both attempts (255), and yards per attempt (5.1).<ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 NFL Rushing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1990/rushing.htm |access-date=February 5, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |publisher=[[Sports Reference, LLC]] |language=en}}</ref> As a result, Sanders was selected to his second Pro Bowl and was again named an AP first-team All-Pro.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1990/probowl.htm |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 NFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1990/allpro.htm |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The Lions finished the year with a {{Abbr|6–10|6 wins, 10 losses}} record and missed the postseason for the seventh consecutive season.<ref name=":13" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/1990.htm |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

On September 1, 1991, Sanders was inactive for the Lions' 45–0 shutout loss against the [[1991 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]], due to having sore ribs before the opening kickoff. The loss was the franchise's worst in over 20 years.{{Sfn|Crompton|2008|p=45}} On November 24, 1991, against the [[1991 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]], Sanders dominated, with 220 rushing yards on 23 attempts and four touchdowns, a game the Lions won 34–14.<ref name=":3" /> Sanders dedicated the win to teammate [[Mike Utley]], who suffered a career-ending [[spinal cord injury]] the previous game.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Freeman |first=Mike |date=November 28, 1991 |title=For Lions, 'Thumbs Up' The Thanksgiving Story |language=en-US |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1991/11/28/for-lions-thumbs-up-the-thanksgiving-story/8270e731-6bf3-42ea-96cd-ff04628892ee/ |access-date=February 20, 2022 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>{{Sfn|Crompton|2008|p=48-49}} In the final game of the regular season against the [[1991 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]], Sanders had 26 attempts for 108 yards and a touchdown, but [[fumble]]d in Lions territory, allowing the Bills to tie the game; the Lions would still be victorious, ending 17–14 in overtime.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 23, 1991 |title=Lions Are Restless, Defeat Bills : Interconference: Buffalo keeps Thomas, Kelly and Lofton on sideline during 17-14 overtime loss. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-12-23-sp-664-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220235916/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-12-23-sp-664-story.html |archive-date=February 20, 2022 |access-date=February 21, 2022 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|agency=[[Associated Press]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Sanders finished the regular season with 1,548 rushing yards from a workload of 342 attempts. He led the league in rushing touchdowns, with a career-high 16.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1991 NFL Rushing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1991/rushing.htm |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> Subsequently, he was selected to the Pro Bowl and AP first-team All-Pro team and awarded the [[Bert Bell Award]].<ref name=":1" /> The 1991 season was the most successful season in terms of wins with Sanders starting at running back. With a {{Abbr|12–4|12 wins, 4 losses}} record, the Lions clinched the [[NFC Central]] and made the postseason for the first time since [[1983 Detroit Lions season|1983]], with Fontes being awarded that year's [[NFL Coach of the Year|National Football League Coach of the Year Award]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 26, 1991 |title=AP Names Fontes Best Coach |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1991/12/26/ap-names-fontes-best-coach/62507048007/ |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=The Oklahoman |language=en-US}}</ref> Until 2024, the 12 wins were the most in a season by the Lions franchise in its history.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |title=Detroit Lions Team Encyclopedia |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/index.htm |access-date=June 6, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |publisher=[[Sports Reference, LLC]] |language=en}}</ref> Having the {{Abbr|No. 2|There are six postseason spots for each conference (AFC and NFC), the first two spots for each conference skip the first round (Wild Card), and into the Divisional Round}} [[Seed (sports)|seed]] in the [[National Football Conference|NFC]], the Lions skipped the [[NFL Wild Card|Wild Card Round]] and advanced to the [[NFL divisional playoffs|Divisional Round]], where they faced the [[1991 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]]. Sanders helped lead the Lions to their first postseason victory since the team won the [[1957 NFL Championship Game]]. In the game, Sanders was held to only 22 yards rushing before he broke away for a 47-yard touchdown run, in which he broke several tackles to close out the 38–6 victory.<ref name=":23" />{{Sfn|Crompton|2008|p=54-55}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship - Detroit Lions at Washington Redskins - January 12th, 1992 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199201120was.htm |access-date=February 19, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |publisher=[[Sports Reference, LLC]] |language=en}}</ref> In the [[NFC Championship Game]], Sanders was held to eleven attempts for 44 yards in the Lions' blowout 41–10 loss to the eventual Super Bowl-winning Redskins.<ref name=":3" /> Sanders finished the postseason with 23 attempts for 113 yards and a touchdown. He would never win another playoff game in his career after that season.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Barry Sanders 1991 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SandBa00/gamelog/1991/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610044454/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SandBa00/gamelog/1991/ |archive-date=June 10, 2017 |access-date=February 19, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |publisher=[[Sports Reference, LLC]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":23" />