Overall not a very interesting interview other than the fact that he doesn't do to many, but it reminded me how good he was and one of the most exciting players to watch in my life. I dont remember the facts surrounding his departure from football, but didn't he get pissed at the Lions for some reason?

i watched it...He said he doesnt think he will come back to play football... i dont remember why he retired to begin with

something to do wit a disagreement between him and the Lions organization.... I saw the interview too... he said the only thing he missed was playing on Sundays, I dontthink his heart was into football anymore when he left.

he's a class act, and the greatest I ever saw

Everyone keeps stressing the guy... he wanted to leave while he was in his prime, what's so wrong with that? If he really wanted to come back he would have come back and owes no one an explaination on why he decided it was time to quit.

I think it had something to do with the Lions not wanting to put a winning team on the field, and I also believe he loved the history of the game so much he didn't want to break walter's rushing record...

I still remember rushing home to watch his O-State games and watching him score like 3-4 touchdowns a game...

Did he ever have a bad game? Anytime I saw him he was running for at least 100, usually breaking tackles for a 40 yd td run. The Lions didnt have crap, and he still would tear it up... the defense knew he was coming and they couldnt stop him.

I also remember busting those phat 89 score packs and parading around my junior high with my stack of Barrys. LOL

Okay folks, Lions fan here. I want to address some of the stories surrounding Sanders and the Lions... at least as best I can as a Lions fan.

First of all, there wasn't really a disagreement with Sander and the Lions. Sanders father talked to the media many times and would often run his mouth about how Sanders was supposedly feel, but we never heard anything from Sanders himself.

Likewise, Sanders Agent(s) often brought up the whole: He might come back if he was traded thing, but Sanders himself never saying anything reguarding that.

The only possible disagreements where that coach Bobby Ross wanted to try and get Sanders to participate in more of the voluntairy training camps. But even this is a weak arguement because Sanders was still really opposed to coming back after Ross left the Lions.

(There was a disagreement on money AFTER Sanders left the lions, but this obviously did not contribute to Sanders desire to leave football, though it may have soured any thoughts of returning later.)

Secondly, the Lions did try to build a winning team. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a team (with the possible exception of the Bengals) that doesn't try to improve itself regularly. Granted, teams are quite often unsuccessful, but they always try.

Furthermore, the Lions were, to an extent, sucessful. During Sanders 10 years in the NFL the Lions appeared in the playoffs at least half the time, even going to the NFC Championship game. Additionally, the year that Sanders left the Lions finished the first half of the season with the best NFL record after beating the (soon to be) SuperBowl Champs. (A second half melt down...mostly due to injuries to key players...killed what could have been a great season. :( )

Sanders was just a rare bird. He honestly did not get caught up in the hype and glamour of being a sports star. He never wanted to set records or bask in the media limelight. He looked at Football as a job, not as a ticket to stardom.

yep, Sanders was irate with the Lions management and just walked away. But since then, no one has been able to pinpoint exactly why he left.

Regardless, he made lots of money, played 10 years, and will be in Hall of Fame soon.

And, just as importantly, no major career injuries (unlike Joe Namath and his chronic bad knees, hips, back).

Sanders was a great one!!!!!

Man, I can't believe how much I missed this guy untill during the interview they started showing highlights and I was like nobody before him and nobody since him has been able to pull off such moves.

When my kids (if I ever slip up and have any) ask me who was the best RB ever, my answer will be Barry.

ok so who was better. Barry Sanders or Jim Brown. power vs. speed. they were obviously the top two running backs ever talent wise.

WhooooooBoy... that would be a tough one...

Can I select both?!? :)

I guess I'd have to select Jim Brown.

I still say Barry is and always was underated. meaning he did not get the respect he deserved.

As far as Brown/sanders... I go with Gayle Sayers. he was both of these guys. Power and speed.

i have to say sanders because no matter how strong a back is if he doesnt have good blocking he wont be too successful. a speed back (a good one) can excel with poor blockers.

yeah i saw it, classy guy, i respect him so much for walking away when he did and not budging for all the hype

i can respect a player walking away when he is still able to perform at a great level but is obviously a year or two from the point he would not be an asset to a club anymore(roger clemens and michael jordan this time). when something like what barry, mcgwire or mike(first two times) did happens i wish they would come back. i will say that barry must be very pleased in retirement because he could probably come back today and be a top five running back. he could also get a large contract from pretty much every team (but that was never what he was about).

what do u mean that was a great interview
i dont miss playing i just miss playing on sunday!
lol