Barry Sanders Breaks Silence on What Led to His Sudden Departure from the Lions
Regarded as one of the NFL’s all-time great running backs, Barry Sanders left the football world in shock when he unexpectedly retired just before the 1999 season.
Now, Sanders is speaking up about why he made that stunning decision, which he revealed via a faxed letter to The Wichita Eagle, his hometown paper, just ahead of training camp.
During a recent appearance on the “Get Got Pod” with Marshawn Lynch and Mike Robinson, Sanders explained that there came a point in his career where he no longer felt the passion. “That everyday grind, all those little things you have to do to stay on top of your game. For me, when I got to 28-29, I just felt like it wasn’t there,” he said.
He also mentioned team struggles, noting that Detroit was in a rebuilding phase and he had done all he could except win a Super Bowl. “We were kind of rebuilding, there was no need to stay around. That drive, that passion I always had, it just wasn’t there in the same way,” he continued. “I need to be somewhere else on Sunday if my mind and heart really isn’t there.”
Sanders retired with 15,269 rushing yards and 99 touchdowns.
In a message to the current Detroit Lions, Sanders acknowledged the team’s dramatic transformation into a Super Bowl contender. Despite missing defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit is among the top contenders for the championship this season. Sanders shared his belief that this could be the Lions’ year.
“It has to be, it has to be absolutely,” Sanders stated regarding their title prospects. “In this game, nothing is promised. You look at going back three years ago just how they’ve slowly built this roster offensively and defensively.”
He pointed to the team’s steady progress, noting how they were fighting for respectability just two years ago, before advancing to the NFC Championship Game last season. “We don’t have to go through the details of that game and how we were in command at halftime.”
With the Lions now only trailing the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl odds, their path to glory seems clearer than ever.
