There have been few players in football history that have dominated both college and the NFL with the intensity of Barry Sanders. The running back was the third overall pick in the 1989 draft for the Detroit Lions, largely in part to his amazing 1988 college season.

On this day, December 3rd, in 1988, Oklahoma State running back Barry Sanders won the Heisman trophy.  Sanders’ 1988 season is seen by many as one of the greatest individual seasons in college football history.  Sanders ran for over 200 yards per game, passing the 300 yard mark three times while averaging 7.6 yards per carry.  Sanders’ 2,628 yards rushing yards, 3,248 total yards, 39 total touchdowns and 37 rushing touchdowns were all college records.

Sanders continued his dominance in the NFL, rushing for more than 15,000 yards and scoring 109 touchdowns. He is a member of both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.