Barry Sanders

Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders ran for 15,269 career yards in just 10 seasons (1989-1998) before retiring abruptly at age 30. His career rushing average of 5.0 yards per carry is the highest of any back with 3,000+ carries, and he rushed for over 1,000 yards in every one of his 10 NFL seasons — a streak of 10 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons that remains an NFL record. Sanders won the 1997 NFL MVP and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.