NFL Greatest Players

Barry Sanders: He was a human light show, a jumping, bounding, now-you-see-him, now-you-don't beam that appears and vanishes at the blink of an eye.

The Detroit Lions' Barry Sanders, all 5-8, 203 pounds of him, oozed with the light-flashing quickness that former teammate Chris Spielman says "can flat-out embarrass anyone."

Every run was filled with stops, starts, jukes, head fakes, cuts, changes of direction and broken tackles that electrify fans, whether it nets one yard or 90.

The quickness came from powerful legs and uncanny balance, a combination that allowed Sanders to change course with smooth, quick and decisive moves.

Defenders who underestimated Sanders' legs were left flailing in his wake. Sanders also had great leaping ability and superior speed, but his ability to back out of a closing hole with dazzling, impossible spins was what sets him apart.

The former Heisman Trophy winner from Oklahoma State, who was deemed too small to make a big impact when he was drafted third overall in 1989, immediately became a yardage machine.

Operating in the Lions' one-back set as a rookie, he exploded into prominence with 1,470 rushing yards, the first of a record-setting 10 straight seasons in which he has topped the 1,000-yard plateau.

When the offense changed in 1997, Sanders followed his fullback for 2,053 yards, the third 2,000-yard season in NFL history, and tacked on 305 yards with 33 receptions.

Quiet, shy and introspective off the field, Sanders was flashy and aggressive with a football in his hands.

The common personality denominator was dependability, which was reflected in his 15,269 yards and No. 2 ranking on the career rushing list when he abruptly announced his retirement prior to the 1999 season -- only 1,457 behind all-time leader Walter Payton.

The 10-time Pro Bowl selection rushed for 99 career touchdowns, even though he often was removed for a power back in goal-line situations, but was not able to get the Lions to a Super Bowl.