Barry Sanders
Barry Sanders
Barry Sandersis a former American football running back who spent his entire professional career with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. A member of both the college and professional football halls of fame, he was ranked by NFL Top 10 as the most elusive runner in NFL history, and also topped their list of greatest players never to reach the Super Bowl. Averaging over 1,500 rushing yards per season, Sanders left the game 1,457 yards short of breaking...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionFootball Player
Date of Birth16 July 1968
CityWichita, KS
CountryUnited States of America
My desire to exit the game is greater than my desire to remain in it. I have searched my heart through and through and feel comfortable with this decision.
The game is the ultimate significance to me because it is so important to a lot of people. It has left a mark on our culture to be voted as one of the best to ever play.
I quit because I didnt feel like the Detroit Lions had a chance to win. It just killed my enjoyment of the game.
I was always conscious of the fact that I didn't make it to a Super Bowl, but it hits me even more now because the game is in Detroit. You feel the impact more.
Anyone who has played the game professionally, you're always taught that the ball is the most important, most precious thing, so when the ball hits the ground, it's always a mad scramble. It's amazing how many times there is a fumble, and the person who recovers it initially doesn't walk away with the ball.
I quit because I didn't feel like the Detroit Lions had a chance to win. It just killed my enjoyment of the game.
That's one of those runs that definitely caught me off guard. That's one of those that brings you out of your seat. What I always understood about running is that a lot of it had to do with vision and reaction and responding to what you see. He is an uncommon threat.
A lot of times I did lose yards on a run, but it wasn't for lack of trying.
Christianity affects your whole life. I feel I'm more competitive, a better player, but off the field is where there is always a battle.
It's probably similar to being in New York City and having a cab driver behind you and you're driving too slow. It's not the most pleasant thing.
To me, he has his own style. He doesnt remind me any more of myself than I did (other tailbacks). I did things to remind people of Tony Dorsett, but it was a different style. Hes a guy who can catch balls like Marshall Faulk or somebody like that.
I sat behind Thurman Thomas for my first couple of years, then my first year starting I won the Heisman. After I won the Heisman, that's when things changed as far as going to the NFL.
If I could start with anybody, I would initially draft Tom Brady. Then I would go get Ray Lewis, and then maybe an offensive lineman, or somebody like Adrian Peterson.
I just felt like I had run out of steam. I just felt like it was my time.