Bye, Bye Barry

[1972Shocker]

Barry Sanders new documentary out today:

https://www.amazon.com/Bye-Barry-Sanders/dp/B0CGP3QJYH?&linkCode=sl2&tag=bbprimevideo-20&linkId=dd3970bd1f6b758662d76a2e132b124d&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

[1972Shocker]

Was Barry the greatest running back ever? Personally, I think he was.

The most unique combination of speed, strength, elusiveness, vision and instinct ever packed into one humble human being.

Physicist Explains Barry Sanders:

[Rize Ballz]

I’ve watched it twice already. Great documentary about the best ever with lots of references to Wichita.

[SHOXAAC]

The most humble and reflective athlete I have ever seen. Proud to call him a Wichitan!!!

[Rize Ballz]

The one guy I can think of that reminds me of Barry as to his demeanor is Tekele Cotton.

[SubGod22]

Finally watched this today.

Absolutely a must watch.

Fantastic

[WuDrWu]

I think it's a must watch for Wichita folks...that's not to say it isn't good....it's great, I just don't think enough of society can appreciate his greatness.

[Rize Ballz]

After watching some highlights again of our 2013-2015 teams, I will say it again: Tekele was Barry Sanders lite when it comes to demeanor.

[Veritas]

Have had numerous friends from across the country text me about the documentary and his ties to Wichita. Why didn’t KU or KSU recruit him? Only Iowa State, Oklahoma State and Tulsa???
I don’t think either team was good then but still rather odd.

[Kel Varnsen]

Have had numerous friends from across the country text me about the documentary and his ties to Wichita. Why didn’t KU or KSU recruit him? Only Iowa State, Oklahoma State and Tulsa???
I don’t think either team was good then but still rather odd.

It is amazing how many players fell through the cracks back in the day since information and video weren't as readily available.

That said, how they missed a player of his caliber in the second biggest metro area in the state is very surprising. It's one thing if it's a guy at some 8-man football school in the middle of nowhere, but not for Wichita.

It certainly would not happen today.

[Shockm]

Have had numerous friends from across the country text me about the documentary and his ties to Wichita. Why didn’t KU or KSU recruit him? Only Iowa State, Oklahoma State and Tulsa???
I don’t think either team was good then but still rather odd.

Barry had balance, moves, the ability to stop/start using a top speed, and see openings for moves that were several players in advance (spatial awareness), that can't be taught. Nebraska and Oklahoma of the Big 8 refused to recruit him, even after it was mentioned to them that they were missing out, on several occasions. I know that Barry Switzer and Frank Solich (Nebraska Recruiting Coordinator) were personally told. I'm not sure to what extent, they even checked him out.

The only player that I've seen with the spatial awareness of Barry's is Patrick Mahomes (when he is in the pocket). He feels pressure that other Quarterbacks just don't feel or see, and he has a sense on how to avoid the pressure.

[1972Shocker]

It is amazing how many players fell through the cracks back in the day since information and video weren't as readily available.

That said, how they missed a player of his caliber in the second biggest metro area in the state is very surprising. It's one thing if it's a guy at some 8-man football school in the middle of nowhere, but not for Wichita.

It certainly would not happen today.

According to Wikipedia:

Sanders started at tailback in his sophomore year in high school, but his brother Byron started before him in that position during Barry's following junior year. When Byron graduated and left for Northwestern University on a football scholarship, Sanders was expected to start at tailback in his senior year—but instead was started at wingback—a variant of the wide receiver position. His head coach at the time perceived that his small stature would be a liability and that he "lacked contact courage."

Sanders did not become the starting running back until the fourth game of his senior year, when the original player was suspended for disciplinary reasons; he rushed for 274 yards and four touchdowns in that game. He rushed for 1,417 yards on 139 rushing attempts, averaging 10.2 yards per rushing attempt, and scored 17 touchdowns through his seven-game senior season. In the last game of the season, Wichita North's head coach, Dale Burkholder, offered Sanders more playing time in order to gain enough rushing yards to reach the state rushing title, but Sanders declined, saying it was "not important."

Maybe Barry did lack contact courage because he didn't ever seem to want the other guys getting a good lick on him. But why take contact when you don't have to.

Perhaps his size and his somewhat limited playing time, although pretty spectacular, in high school kept him from being a hot prospect at the collegiate level. My guess is there were questions about whether his small size would allow him to be successful at the next level.

According to Wikipedia:

A friend of Sanders told him that William said Sanders had chosen to play at Oklahoma State "in order to hide"; Sanders would be playing behind Heisman candidate Thurman Thomas, as opposed to playing at a school where he would be the starting running back. Eventually, his father supported Sanders at Oklahoma State, and attended all of his games when he played.

In 1986, Sanders played in eight games and rushed for 325 rushing yards on 74 rushing attempts, with two rushing touchdowns. In 1987, he led the nation in yards per kickoff return (31.6), while rushing for 603 yards and scoring nine rushing touchdowns, catching four passes for 58 receiving yards and a touchdown, and scoring two touchdowns from 29 total special teams returns. He was named a second-team College Football All-American as a return specialist. While still a backup to Thomas, he received notable attention from his opponents. Oklahoma Sooners head coach Barry Switzer in particular told his players not to injure Thomas, in fear of Sanders starting in his place, telling them: "You won't touch this kid". Sanders was not fond of this as he believed Thomas to be a good teammate. Thomas moved on to the NFL in 1988, which allowed Sanders to become the starter for his junior year in college.

In 1988, in what is considered one of the greatest individual seasons in college football history, Sanders became the first player to open two consecutive seasons with a 100-yard kickoff return. He led the nation by averaging 7.6 yards per attempt and over 200 yards per game, including rushing for over 300 yards in four games. Despite his massive workload of 344 attempts, Sanders was still used as the team's punt and kickoff returner, adding another 516 yards on special teams. He set college football season records with 2,628 yards rushing, 3,248 total all-purpose yards, broken by Christian McCaffrey in 2015, 234 points, broken by Montee Ball in 2011, 37 rushing touchdowns, and 39 total touchdowns, (37 rushing, one kick return, one punt return, tied with Ball).

Sanders had five consecutive 200-yard games, scored at least two touchdowns in all eleven games, and eight times he scored at least three touchdowns. Sanders ran for 222 yards and scored five touchdowns in just three quarters of action in the 1988 Holiday Bowl, a game that is not included in the official NCAA season statistics. When added to his original rushing total, Sanders recorded 2,850 rushing yards from a workload of 373 attempts, 42 rushing touchdowns, and 44 total touchdowns. Sanders learned of his Heisman Trophy win while he was with the team in Tokyo, Japan preparing to face Texas Tech in the Coca-Cola Classic, accepting the award via satellite; he garnered 559 first-place votes for 1,878 points, becoming the eighth non-college senior to attain the trophy, and was selected as a unanimous All-American. Nevertheless, he believed Rodney Peete should have won the award. Along with his Heisman Trophy, Sanders was awarded the Maxwell Award, the Walter Camp Award, and named the Big Eight Offensive Player of the Year. Sanders initially announced that he was not going to enter the NFL Draft, but after receiving pressure from his father, he announced his entrance into the draft.

Barry's dad, William was quite a character but he was right to push Barry to go pro after his junior year, especially considering the financial situation of his family.

And the rest as they say is history.

[Shockm]

It was really pretty simple. The talent evaluators at the NCAA Football Mills "whiffed". It does happen. Just see how many football players in the NFL played at low NCAA Conference, and Div. 2 Universities. Sometimes it's because of size, sometimes it's the size/perceived competition level of high schools, sometimes it's a lack of time and effort given to evaluation of athletes, sometimes coaches are arrogant and don't spend the time to check players out, etc.

Barry didn't lack courage. He didn't have a car to drive, so one time he ran from his home by the WSU campus to North High School to make it to practice late. He took the punishment too, and didn't bat an eye. He was the finest football playing human being ever.

[Ta Town Shocker]

[QUOTE=Shockm;n1415298]It does happen. Just see how many football players in the NFL played at low NCAA Conference, and Div. 2 Universities./QUOTE]

Jerry Rice and Rod Smith are a couple of receivers that come to mind. I'm sure there are plenty of other examples too. Speaking of under the radar, how does Daeonte Mitchell from Wichita East not have a D1 offer yet. He set all kind of records including best ever completion % in the state.

[Shockm]

[QUOTE=Ta Town Shocker;n1415391]

It does happen. Just see how many football players in the NFL played at low NCAA Conference, and Div. 2 Universities./QUOTE]

Jerry Rice and Rod Smith are a couple of receivers that come to mind. I'm sure there are plenty of other examples too. Speaking of under the radar, how does Daeonte Mitchell from Wichita East not have a D1 offer yet. He set all kind of records including best ever completion % in the state.

To illustrate how many NFL "whiffs" the P4 schools have made, I have developed a small list. This is only KC Chiefs roster for 2023, and only includes players who have been in the system for multiple years, so you can multiply 31 more teams X 16 players for approximate numbers (400+ have been "whiffed" on). There are Zero "Stars" on this list, but good enough NFL players, including some starters (or competing starters) . I did include a few "practice squad" players if they have been in the NFL for a number of years prior to this year, but didn't include rookies who were on the practice squad or players on the practice squad who hadn't made the 53 man roster in other years. I also didn't include players from schools like Cincinnati, Houston, or Brigham Young, even though the players entered the NFL prior to these schools being added to P4 conferences.

Mike Caliendo W. Michigan
Jack Cochrane S. Dakota
Darius Harris M. Tenn. State
Richie James M. Tenn. State
Nic Jones Ball State
Jerrick McKinnon Ga. Southern
Skyy Moore W. Mich.
Rashee Rice SMU
BJ Thompson Stephen F. Austin
Marquez-V. Scantling S. Florida
Jaylon Watson Wash. State
Justin Watson Penn
Tershawn Wharton Mizzou-Rolla
Joshua Williams Fayetteville State
Austin Reiter S. Florida
Mike Pennel Colorado St. (Pueblo) has played in NFL for 9 years plus two Super Bowl Championships (New England, and KC)