Barry Sanders

Although Barry Sanders earned all-state honors in high school football, many college recruiters overlooked him because of his height. Undeterred, Sanders used his size to his advantage for the rest of his career. Accepting a scholarship from Oklahoma State University, he set several college football records and earned the Heisman Trophy as 1988's most outstanding player. In only his junior year of college, he was the third overall pick in the NFL draft, where he was selected to play for the Detroit Lions. He stayed with the Lions for his entire career and achievedPro Bowl status in all of his 10 seasons as a pro. At the age of 30, still healthy and a season away from topping Walter Payton's career rushing record, Sanders stunned fans when he unexpectedly announced his retirement from the game. In addition to spending time with his family, this former MVP and NFL record-holder now raises funds for various charities, including those for scleroderma, a chronic connective tissue disease.