The NFL Legend Who Retired On The Verge Of History

Throughout his first decade in the NFL, Detroit Lions legend Barry Sanders was almost superhuman – a lightning-quick, impossibly elusive force of nature who gave opposing defenses nightmares and seemed destined to shatter Walter Payton’s record for all-time rushing yards. 

And then, out of nowhere, Sanders was gone, delivering one of the most stunning retirement announcements that the NFL – and the wider sports world – has ever seen. 

[Deriv]

Barry Sander back in the day was the main reason to watch the Lions play on Thanksgiving he was so good he made a no gain run entertaining 😄 😊

[blakebrown]

Barry Sanders is the greatest running back in NFL history and is the most electric back ever. He did all of his hard work on the field while his offensive line sucked and couldn’t block for him. The only reason he retired because he was tired of not some getting help from his team. I’m still a fan of him and always will be. He is the reason why I watch the NFL.

[wowster-sosx]

Retired with Dignity and Health intact. A total humble Badass.

[TripAces]

The only way to actually 'capture' Barry Sanders was by taking his picture. :-)

[mangrove]

It wasn't entirely shocking, since he had been invisible since the end of the season, not returning any calls or messages from the Lions. There were rumors that either he would request a trade to a contender or that he would walk away from the game altogether. I also think that with Payton disclosing his illness in February of that year, Barry didn't want to break the record under those circumstances. He was never big on stats or records.

[a.ben]

Nowadays when talk about him, Lions fan blames Madden Cursed for add him the cover in few months before he retired.

[KWCline]

I always think that had Barry Sanders been traded to the Miami Dolphins, he could've helped Dan Marino and him get a Super Bowl ring.

[christophertifre]

My favorite back. He did all his work without a good O Line or fullback

[natey.]

THE GREATEST Running Back in NFL history

[erics.czernecki]

I hate to admit it, but he probably wouldn't have retired if the Cowboys or Packers drafted him. Can you *imagine* the impact he could've had on teams that were already slowly becoming juggernauts? Either team could've legitimately went 16-0 with him. *Several times over.*

[minutesintheboxwithgordo]

Barry didn’t want to break Walter Payton’s record because Walter was dying of cancer it would’ve been wrong to break Walter’s most rushing yards of all time record

[cassiusdhami]

Smith was only productive when playing on Superbowl teams. Once he wasn't his stats fell off a cliff.
He hung on for years past when any other back would have been cut, solely on his laurels.
I'll never consider him the 🐐... because he's not.
Sanders, or Payton have that honor.

[markjackson]

he could’ve had 20, 000 plus rushing yards

[charismatic]

The TRUE holder of the rushing record. Emmitt would be a distant 2nd had barry not retired. Barry had at least 4-5 years left. Averaged 1500 yards a year.
1500 at say 4 years is 6000 yards.
Record wouldnt even be close

[zeromega]

Honestly he just didn't want to play for the lions anymore but didn't throw them under the bus. There was a trade his team agreed to with the Washington but the lions refused to trade his rights so he stayed retired.

[jaykaynum]

Far from Adrian Peterson long career...child support 💜💪🏾

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