Zero2Cool
9 years ago
Story reminds me of when I used a small portion of my relocation dispersment on a '96 Ford Explorer and my dad went "Son, treat yourself to a nice ride, damn!" lol I later sold that and used the money as a down payment on my Kia Forte which he said was good because it was more reliable for his granddaughters, haha.

Barry Sanders had one of the best seasons in NFL history in 1997, when he ran for 2,053 yards and led the Detroit Lions to the playoffs.

The Hall-of-Fame running back signed his final NFL contract just before training camp that year, and celebrated by splurging on a new car. Kind of.

Lions president Tom Lewand was asked during a question-and-answer session at a "Man Up" event for Kensington Church what the real reason was Sanders retired abruptly in the summer of 1999, and he shared this interesting story about Sanders.

"Great, great story on Barry and what a humble guy he is," Lewand said. "He had a holdout in 1997, we got him signed, we were out at the Silverdome, we both go up to training camp which at the time was at Saginaw Valley, and he signed literally the richest contract in the NFL at that point.

"At Saginaw, we both end up pulling into the parking lot at the same time. He says, 'Tom, come over and check my new ride. I rewarded myself with a new car.' I go over, it's a black Jaguar, and I look in, I peek in the window, I go, 'Barry, this car has 38,000 miles on it.' He said, 'I know, I got a great deal.'"

Sanders signed a six-year, $36-million deal in July of 1997, but played just two more seasons and eventually had to repay a portion of his signing bonus.

He retired as the second leading rusher in NFL history, less than 1,500 yards behind Walter Payton, and currently ranks third on the rushing list behind Emmitt Smith and Payton.

"A little bit of that (story) reveals I think his decision," Lewand said. "He knew that football, it wasn't his identity. It was more than just football, it was being a father, it was being a man of the community, he is a man of faith as well. But for him it was more than just football, and I think for him, that combined with some of the things that were happening with the offense and things that were happening football wise, and then I think his own body, he knew his body better than anybody.

"Those who have a better football eye than I do would pick up on some subtle things his last year that would suggest he might be slowing down just a tick as he was hitting his 30s and maybe the combination of those things. But he's a guy who's been a part of the program with us now. We have a great relationship with him and he's definitely at peace with the decision."

Dave Birkett  wrote:


UserPostedImage
uffda udfa
9 years ago
Nice little piece, there. Loved Barry Sanders more as who I believe him to be as a man than I did as a football player. Glad he retired...it was good to get him out of our division.

Most elusive and exciting RB to ever play the game. I could only begin to imagine what numbers he would've racked up behind Emmitt's line in Dallas. I guess I could say the same of Sweetness.

It's about time Green Bay has a special RB. Detroit had Barry...Chicago had Sweetness...Minnesota has/had AD... best we've had is Ahman Green but Eddie Lee Ivery was our guy who should've been up there.
UserPostedImage
Ted Thompson sits on his hands per former GM: "because they’ve had 25 fricking years of great quarterbacks. Of course it works. Try it without a special quarterback."


Cheesey
9 years ago
Sanders was the BEST, in my view.
I hope Eddie Lacy can keep getting better and better. He's the best we have had in quite a while.
UserPostedImage
dfosterf
9 years ago
I didn't like the sob when he played. He made us look foolish. Glad he retired when he did. Every millisecond he was out there against my Packers scared the living hell out of me. I hate Adrian Peterson in the same way. He should retire right now.

PLUS What about Walter Peyton?

That man was the pure running back, and he could do it all.
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