Indianapolis Colts: 30 greatest players in franchise history
Bob Sanders. 18. player. 46. . Strong Safety. 2004-10
Imagine where Bob Sanders would be on this list if he had managed to maintain some semblance of health during his NFL career. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case, as he was almost always battling some sort of ailment that limited his playing time or effectiveness.
So when you consider how amazing he was despite the health issues, it’s all the more impressive. Despite never playing a full 16-game season and only managing more than six appearances twice, Sanders found a way to carve out a niche for himself as one of the Colts’ most impactful defenders of all-time.
You need look no further than his 2007 campaign for evidence of his elite talents. The closest he ever came to playing a full season (15 games), he was an unstoppable force for the Colts, proving himself to be the prototypical playmaking safety with his ability to strike fear in receivers, make plays on the ball, and shut down the run game.
Most folks will remember Sanders for his infuriating inability to stay healthy, and understandably so. When you consider how dominant he was when on the field and the integral role he played in the Colts’ 2006 Super Bowl run, though, you can’t help but give credit where it’s due.