Kansas football: Tony Sands an all-time great Jayhawk
Former Kansas football star Tony Sands is one of the all-time great Jayhawks, breaking multiple records during his time in Lawrence.
Kansas football has had some great running backs since their first season in 1890, including Gale Sayers, John Riggins, June Henley, Tony Sands, and Pooka Williams. Sands is one of the guys that doesn’t get brought up as often as the rest; however, he’s one of the best of all time.
As a matter of fact, Sands had a record-breaking career at Kansas.
In 1991 during his final game as a Jayhawk, Sands set an FBS record when he rushed for 396 yards in a 53-29 win over Missouri in the Border War. The previous record of 386 yards was set by future NFL hall of fame member Marshall Faulk. Sands’ record would eventually be eclipsed in 1999 by another NFL hall of fame member, LaDainian Tomlinson, who rushed for 406 yards as a member of TCU.
Sands’ 396 yards still stands as a Kansas record for single-game rushing yards, and the four rushing touchdowns he scored that day are tied for the most in a single game in Kansas football history. Sands is also second in all-time rushing yards at Kansas and third in all-time rushing touchdowns.
Sands graduated after the 1991 season with his degree in exercise fitness. There’s no doubt that Sands is one of the best players Kansas football has ever had, yet, he wasn’t selected in the NFL Draft. Critics pointed to Sands’ height, which was five-foot-six.
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After his playing days ended, Sands began training professional and collegiate athletes, with some of his clients being Michael Irvin, Gilbert Brown, and Nate Salley. He seems to have done well for himself despite not having a long pro career, and he’ll always be a Kansas football great.