“Two of a Kind” Detroit Lions

Colored pencil illustration of Detroit Lions running backs Barry Sanders and Billy Sims in action poses, integrated with stylized number 20 background design

Two of a Kind, Barry Sanders and Billy Sims, colored pencil, 16in x 20in, (2006). Original Artwork Available

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A detailed view of Billy Sims in his classic leaping pose, demonstrating the intricate colored pencil work and integration with the typographic "20" background element.
Close-up detail of Barry Sanders showcasing his signature elusive running style, with careful attention to uniform detail and the dynamic interaction with the geometric background design
The completed "Two of a Kind" artwork on the drawing desk, with colored pencils visible, offering perspective on the scale and working process of the piece
Sports artist Alvin Fall displaying the finished "Two of a Kind" illustration in his studio, giving context to the artwork's actual size and presentation with the blue matting.

This 2006 illustration uniquely pairs Detroit Lions running back legends Billy Sims and Barry Sanders, highlighting their remarkable parallel paths from Oklahoma college football to wearing #20 in Detroit's backfield. The 16" x 20" colored pencil piece features Fall's innovative typographic treatment of "20" as a dynamic background element, drawing from his graphic design education. The composition captures both runners in their signature explosive styles, with Fall's personal connection to Sanders—having played youth football on "Barry Sanders Field" in Wichita, KS—adding deeper meaning to the artwork.