His 15,269 rushing yards , third all - time behind Emmitt Smith and Walter Peyton , largely went for naught - as did Earl Campbell 's 8,574 in Houston .
When the Lions tumbled back to 5 - 11 in 1998 , Sanders finally had enough and retired .
Sanders ' 15,269 rushing yards , third all - time behind Emmitt Smith and Walter Peyton , largely went for naught - as did Earl Campbell 's 8,574 in Houston .
When the Lions tumbled back to 5 - 11 in 1998 , Sanders finally had enough and retired .