Throwback Thursday: Spec Sanders

This Flicker was originally posted March 1, 2012. 

Orban Eugene Sanders was born on January 26, 1918. Everyone saw that mass of freckles on young Orban's face and started calling him "Spec." The name just stuck.

Buddy Young, who saw a lot of football as a player and later as a league official, once described Spec Sanders as being in a class with just a handful of other backs, including Jim Brown, Gale Sayers, Hugh McIlhenney and Lenny Moore. That's a pretty select group. All but Sanders are honored in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Sanders lost the early years of his career to World War II. His best years were in the All America Football Conference with the New York Yankees. So his efforts have mostly been ignored by the NFL. That's unfortunate as his 1947 season was one of the best ever. He led the AAFC with 231 carries, 114 points and his 18 rushing touchdowns was a professional record that stood until Jim Taylor rushed for 19 in 1962. His 1432 yards rushing established a record that stood until 1958 when Jim Brown ran for 1527 yards. Sanders could throw the ball as well, completing 93 passes for 1442 yards and 14 more touchdowns. He also returned kicks, taking one kickoff back for another score. Although he was used sparingly on defense, he intercepted three passes. He also averaged 42.1 yards on 46 punts. In a game against the Chicago Rockets, Sanders gained 250 yards rushing, a mark that went untouched for more than 25 years. He was removed from the game after only three quarters. If he'd remained in the game, Adrian Peterson's 296 yards against the San Diego Chargers might still be looking up at Sanders. It was an incredible season. When viewing season statistics of this era, Spec Sanders' 1947 season is so outlandish it strikes one as a misprint.

At a time when most players did a lot of things on the football field Sanders did everything better than pretty much everyone. His versatility might be matched only by the great Sammy Baugh.

Sanders suffered from knee woes and retired after the 1948 season. Despite playing only three seasons, he finished as the AAFC's second leading all-time rusher, leader in touchdowns, fourth in total points, and still found time to finish eighth in passing.

Sanders was lured out of retirement to play in the NFL in 1950 with a different but similarly named New York Yanks. Because of the knee problems, he opted to play only defense that year. In his one year in the NFL Sanders was named to the Pro Bowl after his record setting 13 interception season.

Spec Sanders had only a four year career with only one in the NFL. World War II and knee problems kept it brief. It's unfortunate that his three incredible years in the AAFC are largely forgotten. Those that saw Sanders play football never forgot him.