Retired Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders is one of the best players in NFL history, and had he not retired young, there might be no remaining debate in regard to his historical standing.
Despite his level of superstardom, the 1989 first-round pick was still green as could be as a rookie. He was playing in the land of Giants, and as fate would have it, he’d cross paths with the Giant — Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor — in just his second game.
Recalling his favorite encounter with a professional athlete, Sanders shouted out Taylor on Wednesday, reflecting on their post-game chat in Week 2 of the 1989 regular season.
my second game as a pro, we played the @Giants and @LawrenceTaylor came up to me after the game and told me if the team got me a FB I would be tough to stop. I was so star struck I just said thanks. https://t.co/7OLbIZ1dXB
— Barry Sanders (@BarrySanders) July 8, 2020
Taylor wasn’t one for compliments back then, so he had clearly seen something special in Sanders that day. And we now know that talent has an eye for other talent because Sanders became a legend of his own shortly thereafter.
💪🏾💪🏾🦾To one of the greatest to ever carry the ball… An honor!! https://t.co/h6WbfU177k
— Lawrence “LT” Taylor (@LT_56) July 9, 2020
In that game, a 24-14 Giants victory, Sanders carried the ball 12 times for 57 yards and a touchdown, while also hauling in six receptions for 96 yards.
Not to be outdone, Taylor recorded 2.5 sacks that afternoon.
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