Can Hall of Famer Barry Sanders inspire the Lions to an NFC title now that he’s their honorary captain?
Given the role he played the last time the Lions made it to the NFC Championship game, it’s no surprise the team has decided to honor the legendary RB.
Whether you’re a Detroit Lions fan, player of the past/present, or simply someone who lives in the city, chances are that you know full well there has been no better player in the last seven decades than former running back Barry Sanders. Indeed, that’s why the Lions are offering the former offensive terror a unique honor this Sunday.
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Lions to name Barry Sanders as honorary captain
According to a team announcement on Saturday afternoon, the Detroit Lions have officially named Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders as their honorary captain for the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. At 55 years old, Sanders is to this day considered one of the greatest running backs in NFL history.
A look back at Barry Sanders
Selected with the No. 3 overall pick by Detroit in the 1989 NFL draft, Sanders played for the team from 1989 to 1998. When the curtain came down on his phenomenal career, he had amassed a staggering 15,269 rushing yards and 99 rushing touchdowns in across 153 games. Yet, despite the clear gap between Sanders and all others, it was not enough to power the Lions to a title.
Indeed, it was with Sanders on the field that the Lions not only lost in the NFC’s wild-card round on four occasions but most famously were defeated in the NFC championship game of 1992, the last time the team made it to the conference’s title game. On that day, the Lions were dismantled by the then-Washington Redskins 41-10. Needless to say, the Lions will be hoping that with a little inspiration from the past, they can go one better in the present. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. ET. don’t miss it!