What surprised fans in 1999?

He retired suddenly while near the career rushing record

What made Sanders famous as a runner?

Running straight over defenders only

Barry Sanders Quiz: His Record 1988 Oklahoma State Season

A backup running back stepped into the starting role and produced one of the greatest seasons in college football history, and this Barry Sanders quiz relives it. Play 10 interactive questions on Wichita, Thurman Thomas, Oklahoma State, the 1988 records, the Heisman Trophy, the Detroit Lions, his 2,053-yard NFL season, his sudden retirement and the Hall of Fame.

Start Barry Sanders Quiz

🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

College
Which college did Barry Sanders play for?
Backup
Which future NFL star did he back up early on?
Yards
How many rushing yards did he gain in the 1988 regular season?
TDs
How many touchdowns did he score in 1988?
Heisman
Which award did he win in 1988?
NFL
Which NFL team drafted him?
2000
How many rushing yards did he gain in 1997?
Retire
What surprised fans in 1999?
Style
What made Sanders famous as a runner?
Hall
When was he inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: Which college did Barry Sanders play for?
Answer: Oklahoma State
The team is the Cowboys.
Q2: Which future NFL star did he back up early on?
Answer: Thurman Thomas
Thomas later starred for Buffalo.
Q3: How many rushing yards did he gain in the 1988 regular season?
Answer: 2,628
It set an NCAA record.
Q4: How many touchdowns did he score in 1988?
Answer: 37
Another record.
Q5: Which award did he win in 1988?
Answer: The Heisman Trophy
He was a junior.
Q6: Which NFL team drafted him?
Answer: Detroit Lions
He went third overall in 1989.
Q7: How many rushing yards did he gain in 1997?
Answer: 2,053
He was named NFL MVP co-winner.
Q8: What surprised fans in 1999?
Answer: He retired suddenly while near the career rushing record
He was 31.
Q9: What made Sanders famous as a runner?
Answer: Elusive cuts and spins
Defenders struggled to tackle him.
Q10: When was he inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
Answer: 2004
He entered in his first year eligible.

Barry Sanders Quiz – His Record 1988 Oklahoma State Season

Barry Sanders, from Wichita, Kansas, began at Oklahoma State as a backup to Thurman Thomas. When he became the starter in 1988, he produced one of college football's greatest seasons.

He ran for 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns in the regular season, both NCAA records, and won the Heisman Trophy as a junior. His elusive cuts and spins left defenders grasping at air.

The Detroit Lions drafted him third overall in 1989. In 1997 he ran for 2,053 yards and shared NFL MVP honors. He retired suddenly in 1999 while close to the career rushing record and entered the Hall of Fame in 2004.

What This Quiz Teaches

Football fans will enjoy these questions.

Where Sanders played college ball
What he achieved in 1988
Which awards he won
How his NFL career went
Why his retirement shocked fans

Did You Know?

He was a modest player who handed the ball to officials after touchdowns.
He rarely celebrated his scores.
His son Barry J. Sanders also played at Oklahoma State.
He rushed for over 1,000 yards in all ten NFL seasons.
He wore number 20 in Detroit.