Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders yesterday became the first player since 1987 to make the Associated Press All-Pro team as a unanimous selection. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young barely missed the same distinction.
Sanders made a sweep of the voting by a nationwide panel of 98 sportswriters and broadcasters. Sanders, who led the NFL with 1,883 rushing yards and scored eight touchdowns, was the first unanimous selection since San Francisco wide receiver Jerry Rice in 1987.
Young got 96 votes at quarterback, with the Miami Dolphins' Dan Marino the choice of the other two voters. The 49ers' Young, having his best season, led the NFL in passing for the fourth straight year.
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. FIRST TEAM
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Offense Wide receivers -- Jerry Rice, San Francisco; Cris Carter, Miami Tight end -- Ben Coates, New England. Tackles -- William Roaf, New Orleans; Richmond Webb, Miami. Guards -- Nate Newton, Dallas; Randall McDaniel, Minnesota. Center -- Dermontti Dawson, Pittsburgh. Quarterback -- Steve Young, San Francisco. Running backs -- Barry Sanders, Detroit; Emmitt Smith, Dallas. Placekicker -- John Carney, San Diego. Kick returner -- Mel Gray, Detroit.
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Defense Ends -- Charles Haley, Dallas; Bruce Smith, Buffalo. Tackles -- John Randle, Minnesota; Cortez Kennedy, Seattle. Outside linebackers -- Greg Lloyd, Pittsburgh; Kevin Greene, Pittsburgh. Middle linebacker -- Junior Seau, San Diego. Cornerbacks -- Deion Sanders, San Francisco; Rod Woodson, Pittsburgh. Safeties -- Eric Turner, Cleveland; Darren Woodson, Dallas. Punter -- Reggie Roby, Washington.
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. SECOND TEAM .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Offense Wide receivers -- Terance Mathis, Atlanta; Irving Fryar, Miami. Tight end -- Brent Jones, San Francisco. Tackles -- Lomas Brown, Detroit; Tony Jones, Cleveland. Guards -- Keith Sims, Miami; Steve Wisniewski, Los Angeles Raiders. Center -- Mark Stepnoski, Dallas. Quarterback -- Dan Marino, Miami. Running backs -- Marshall Faulk, Indianapolis; Chris Warren, Seattle. Placekicker -- Fuad Reveiz, Minnesota. Kick returner -- Brian Mitchell, Washington.
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Defense Ends -- Reggie White, Green Bay; Leslie O'Neal, San Diego. Tackles -- Chester McGlockton, Los Angeles Raiders; Michael Dean Perry, Cleveland. Outside linebackers -- Ken Harvey, Washington; Derrick Thomas, Kansas City. Middle linebacker -- Chris Spielman, Detroit. Cornerbacks -- Terry McDaniel, Los Angeles Raiders; Aeneas Williams, Arizona. Safeties -- Merton Hanks, San Francisco; Carnell Lake, Pittsburgh. Punter -- Rick Tuten, Seattle.
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