After years of missing the playoffs, the Detroit Lions needed a superstar to turn the franchise around. They got just that when they selected running back Barry Sanders third overall in the 1989 NFL Draft. Detroit had instant improvement behind his dominant performance in his first couple years, but really took a turn in year three. In 1991, Sanders helped lead the Lions to the playoffs with 1,548 rushing yards and a career-high 16 rushing touchdowns, and then scored a touchdown in the Divisional Round to help Detroit win its first playoff game since the AFL-NFL merger. He would take the Lions to the playoffs four more times in his career, making them regulars in the postseason throughout the 1990s. Sanders’ strongest performance came in 1997, when his 2,053 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns led to him winning a share of the MVP award. The legendary running back remains the most important player in Lions history, with his jersey number retired by the franchise after his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction in 2004.

This jersey is autographed by Barry Sanders. Sanders’ signature was witnessed by an Upper Deck representative as part of UDA’s 5-step authentication process.