Barry Sanders wasn’t just a great running back — he was, and still is, THE running back. The Detroit Lions legend was the kind of player who shattered one defensive game plan after another. But before racking up 15,269 yards and 99 touchdowns in his NFL career from 1989 to 1998, he was just a kid watching football, admiring the greats who came before him. And like the rest of us, there were some players who simply got on his nerves.
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One would expect a student of the game like Barry to look up to great backs, such as Walter Payton, Tony Dorsett, or Gale Sayers. And he did. Sanders even admitted to watching Dorsett’s Heisman-winning campaign. But he found the face of the league when he was a kid — none other than Roger Staubach — annoying.
Yes, that Staubach. The Dallas Cowboys icon, the two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback, and the man who embodied clutch performances. However, young Sanders wasn’t that impressed. But why so?
Sanders revealed that he had Staubach fatigue, much like many fans have Kansas City Chiefs fatigue today. Not being a Dallas Cowboys fan amplified the feeling. However, as he grew up, Sanders learned more about being a pro, and he realized how wrong he had been about Staubach.
“He was the face of the NFL in the 70s—him and Terry Bradshaw. I wasn’t a Dallas Cowboys fan, but Roger was such a great competitor and winner. He annoyed me so much as a kid, but as I grew older and realized the journey he traveled in the military and just how great of a player he was, I had to respect him,” Sanders said on Green Light with Chris Long.
While Sanders’ perspective on Staubach evolved, what about the NFL community’s?
Is Staubach an overlooked NFL legend?
Cowboys legend Staubach’s name isn’t always the first that comes to mind when talking about the greatest NFL quarterbacks of all time. But make no mistake — his legacy is undeniable. Before beginning his NFL journey, Staubach took an unconventional path by serving in the U.S. Navy.
This meant that the Cowboys legend didn’t have a long NFL career, making his NFL debut at the age of 27, in 1969. But when he finally stepped foot into the league, he was nearly unstoppable. In his 11-season stint in Dallas, Staubach led the Cowboys to four Super Bowls, while winning two (VI and XII).
As far as stats go, Roger ‘the Dodger’ Staubach had an impressive record of 85-29, while throwing for 22,000 yards with a 57% completion rate.
From a modern lens, Staubach may come across as an inaccurate QB, but it’s important to remember that he played in an era when the game was as physical as it could get. He also played at a time when passing wasn’t as dominant.
Considering he did nothing but dominate during his short NFL career, Sanders might have grown tired of the monopoly Staubach established. That said, there’s no denying the immense respect he has for the Cowboys legend now. After all, greatness recognizes greatness.
