Media Honor Sanders

Thu., Jan. 22, 1998

Compiled From Wire Services

Barry Sanders, who rushed for 2,053 yards this season, has been named the NFL player of the year.

The Lions star received 81 percent of the votes in a poll of more than 200 sports writers and broadcasters, the award’s highest winning margin.

Giants coach Jim Fassel was named The Sporting News coach of the year. Barry Sanders was named player of the year and Buccaneers running back Warrick Dunn was named top rookie.

Kerry Collins’ rocky stay with Carolina hit another bump when the team elected against paying him a $6 million bonus needed to extend his contract three more years. Collins, 22-16 as a starter, originally signed a six-year contract that called for the Panthers to pay him a $6 million bonus at the end of this season if they wanted to keep the remaining three years of the deal intact. Otherwise, Collins can become a restricted free agent.

The Redskins will designate defensive tackle Sean Gilbert their “franchise player” but cleared the way for him to sign with another team once the free-agent marketplace opens on Feb. 13.

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Media Honor Sanders

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