By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
In this throwback story, Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders had a good showing in his first NFL game. The Lions were defeated by the Phoenix Cardinals 16-13 at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan.
This was the first game of the 1989 season.
Sanders had 71 rushing yards in the game. The talented back had nine carries in the contest.
He was the only back, who had more than 30 rushing yards in the game for the Lions. Bob Gagliano had 28 rushing yards.
Tony Paige and Carl Painter had 26 rushing yards each.
In fact, the 71 rushing yards were the most by a running back in the game. Cardinals running back Stump Mitchell led his team with 52 rushing yards.
In the third quarter, Sanders scored on a three-yard rushing touchdown. At the time, Sanders’ rushing touchdown gave the Lions a 10-6 lead.
Sanders was the third overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft. He played college football with the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
Unfortunately, for the Lions fans, Sanders first game performance was not enough as the Cardinals came back to win the game.
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