Miles Sanders and Barry Sanders are two famous names in the world of American football. Both of them are running backs who have impressed fans with their skills and achievements. But are they related by blood or just by name? This article will explore the answer to this question and provide some background information on both players.
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Who is Miles Sanders?
Miles Sanders is a football running back from America who plays for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He was chosen by the Eagles in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft after he played college football at Penn State.
Miles was born on May 1, 1997, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He attended Woodland Hills High School, where he was a star player and won Pennsylvania’s Mr. Football award in his senior year. He also participated in the Under Armour All-America Game, a showcase for the nation’s top high school players.
Miles chose Penn State over a host of other offers, which included the local Pittsburgh Panthers. He spent his first two seasons as a backup to Saquon Barkley, who is now one of the best running backs in the NFL. Miles got his chance to shine as a junior in 2018, when he rushed for 1,274 yards and nine touchdowns. He also won the Red Worrell Award, for the offensive player who good demonstrated exemplary conduct, attitude, loyalty, interest, and improvement during spring practice.
Miles decided to forgo his senior year and enter the 2019 NFL Draft. He was selected by the Eagles with the 53rd overall pick. He had a promising rookie season, rushing for 818 yards and three touchdowns, and catching 50 passes for 509 yards and three more scores. He also set a franchise record for most scrimmage yards by a rookie with 1,327.
Miles continued to improve in his second season, despite missing some games due to injury. He finished with 867 rushing yards and six touchdowns, and 28 receptions for 197 yards. He also had four runs of 70 yards or more, which tied an NFL record.
Miles is known for his speed, agility, vision, and versatility as a runner and receiver. He has also drawn comparisons to some of the best running backs in the league, such as Le’Veon Bell, Ezekiel Elliott, and Todd Gurley.
Who is Barry Sanders?
Barry Sanders is a former professional football player from America. He played as a running back in the National Football League (NFL) from 1989 to 1998 for the Detroit Lions. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest runners of all time and one of the most elusive players ever.
Barry was born on July 16, 1968, in Wichita, Kansas. He attended Wichita North High School, where he was a standout player but not heavily recruited by colleges. He chose to play for Oklahoma State University, where he had a legendary junior season in 1988. He rushed for 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns in 11 games, breaking many NCAA records and winning the Heisman Trophy as the best player in college football.
Barry decided to enter the 1989 NFL Draft after his junior year. He was selected by the Lions with the third overall pick. He had an immediate impact in the league, rushing for 1,470 yards and 14 touchdowns as a rookie and earning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Barry went on to have a phenomenal career with the Lions, leading the league in rushing yards four times and in rushing touchdowns once. He also made 10 consecutive Pro Bowls and six First-team All-Pro selections. He was named the NFL MVP in 1997, when he rushed for 2,053 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Barry retired abruptly after the 1998 season, when he was only 30 years old and just 1,457 yards shy of breaking Walter Payton’s all-time rushing record. He cited his loss of desire to play as his main reason for quitting. He finished his career with 15,269 rushing yards and 99 rushing touchdowns, ranking fourth and tenth respectively in NFL history.
Barry is known for his incredible balance, agility, acceleration, and elusiveness as a runner. He could make defenders miss with his quick cuts and spins, often leaving them grasping at air. He is widely considered as one of the most exciting players to watch and one of the hardest players to tackle.
Are Miles Sanders and Barry Sanders Related?
No, Miles Sanders and Barry Sanders are not related. They share a common surname but have no family ties or connections. They are also from different generations and backgrounds.
However, this does not mean that Miles does not admire Barry or learn from him. According to Heavy.com, Miles said that he looked up to Barry a lot and watched his highlights. He also said that he watched other great running backs in the NFL, such as Le’Veon Bell, Ezekiel Elliott, Todd Gurley, and LeSean McCoy.
Miles and Barry have both shown their talent and potential as running backs in college and in the NFL. They have also faced some challenges and obstacles in their careers, such as injuries, team changes, and early retirements. They have both overcome these difficulties and achieved success and recognition in their own ways.
Miles and Barry may not be related by blood, but they are related by passion, dedication, and excellence in the game of football. They are both examples of what it takes to be a great running back and a great player..