Barry Sanders Was Asked To Name The NFL’s Best RB Ever. He Didn’t Hesitate originally appeared on The Spun.
Barry Sanders is making headlines this week, but not for anything the legendary NFL running back did.
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Instead, the Detroit Lions great is making headlines because of something that an ESPN host did. ESPN host Monica McNutt appeared to forget – or truly not know – who Barry Sanders is. Comedian Druski appeared on ESPN’s “First Take” on Friday. He arrived on set wearing a Barry Sanders blue No. 20 jersey.
McNutt, shockingly, seemed to think that Druski was making some kind of reference to Shedeur Sanders.
“The jersey, let’s get into it, because obviously, this ties into Shedeur Sanders,” she said.
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Druski quickly responded: “No, no, no, no, no. This is, uh, Barry Sanders.”
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 14: Former NFL player Barry Sanders of the Detroit Lions reacts during the first half between the Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs at Ford Field on January 14, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Video of the viral moment quickly trended on social media, with fans flocking to the comment section to blast McNutt.
It was a tough moment.
Sanders, meanwhile, has made headlines of his own this summer. The legendary Detroit Lions running back was asked by The Today Show to name the NFL’s greatest running back of all-time.
The Hall of Famer did not hesitate.
“I’ll go with Walter (Payton),” he said.
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The NFL’s 5 greatest running backs ever, according to a legendary scout
Legendary NFL scout and front office man Gil Brandt has ranked the NFL’s greatest running backs of all-time. It’s tough to compare eras and players, but Brandt was around the game for more than 50 years.
If anyone was qualified to do it, it’s him.
According to Brandt, here are the league’s five greatest running backs in history:
Sanders, surprisingly, did not make the cut for the top five. He came in at No. 7 overall in Brandt’s list.
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How would you rank the NFL’s greatest running backs of all-time?
Barry Sanders Was Asked To Name The NFL’s Best RB Ever. He Didn’t Hesitate first appeared on The Spun on Aug 17, 2025
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Aug 17, 2025, where it first appeared.