The Detroit Lions have had their fair share of talented running backs over the years. From Barry Sanders to Billy Sims to Jahvid Best, the Lions have seen some of the best running backs in the NFL don the Honolulu blue and silver. In this article, we will take a look at the Lions' running backs by year and highlight some of their best performances.
The 1980s: Billy Sims and James Jones
The 1980s were a great decade for the Detroit Lions' running game. Billy Sims was the star of the show, rushing for over 1,000 yards in three of his five seasons with the team. In 1980, Sims rushed for 1,303 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning him Rookie of the Year honors. James Jones was also a solid contributor, rushing for over 1,000 yards in 1983 and 1984.
In 1988, Barry Sanders was drafted by the Lions, setting the stage for one of the most iconic careers in NFL history.
The 1990s: Barry Sanders
Barry Sanders is widely regarded as one of the greatest running backs of all time, and for good reason. In his 10 seasons with the Lions, Sanders rushed for over 1,000 yards every year except for his rookie season and his final season in 1998. He won four rushing titles, was a 10-time Pro Bowler, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.
Some of Sanders' most memorable performances came in 1997, when he rushed for 2,053 yards and 11 touchdowns, and in 1994, when he rushed for 1,883 yards and 7 touchdowns.
The 2000s: James Stewart and Kevin Jones
The 2000s were a bit of a rough patch for the Lions' running game. However, James Stewart and Kevin Jones both had some solid seasons during this decade. Stewart rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2000 and 2002, while Jones rushed for 1,133 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2004.
The 2010s: Jahvid Best and Joique Bell
In the 2010s, the Lions saw some promising young running backs come and go. Jahvid Best was drafted in 2010 and showed flashes of brilliance, but his career was cut short due to injuries. Joique Bell was a solid contributor from 2012-2015, rushing for over 500 yards in each of those seasons.
The 2020s: Kerryon Johnson and D'Andre Swift
The Lions' current running back duo of Kerryon Johnson and D'Andre Swift has a lot of potential. Johnson has shown flashes of brilliance in his first two seasons with the team, rushing for over 600 yards in both 2018 and 2019. Swift was drafted in 2020 and has already shown that he has the potential to be a star in the NFL.
In Conclusion
The Detroit Lions have had some incredible running backs over the years, from Billy Sims to Barry Sanders to Jahvid Best and beyond. While the team has had its ups and downs, the running game has always been a bright spot. With Kerryon Johnson and D'Andre Swift leading the charge, the Lions' running game looks to be in good hands for years to come.
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