When you think about the Detroit Lions, one of the first names that comes to mind for anyone is Barry Sanders. When the running back was drafted out of Oklahoma State in 1989, the franchise had not had recent success with only two playoff appearances since the AFL-NFL merger had completed. The third overall pick made an immediate impact and established himself as a top running back in the league with 1,470 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns in his rookie year to earn 1989 Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Sanders led the Lions back to the playoffs in just his third season and would help lead them there five times in his ten-year career. Rushing for over 1,000 yards every season in his career, he led the league in rushing yards four times and rushing touchdowns once. Sanders won the 1994 NFL Offensive Player of the Year with 1,883 rushing yards and 7 rushing touchdowns and later followed it up with an MVP season in 1997 in which he rushed for 2,053 yards (career high) and 11 touchdowns. He racked up many accolades throughout his career, including 10 Pro Bowl Selections and 6 First Team All-Pro selections, and later had his number 21 retired by Detroit in 2004 when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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