Why did Barry Sanders retire? A brand new documentary pulls again the curtain

Whereas the fashionable NFL has moved away from counting on star linebackers, the league has seen some elite ball carriers over time. Among the many finest was Barry Sanders. The Detroit Lions star has by no means received a Tremendous Bowl, however his pace, elusiveness and, maybe most significantly, his stat line nonetheless loom massive.

Properly, the operating again is about to return to the highlight.

No, Sanders is not planning a stunning comeback at 55 years previous. As a substitute, he would be the topic of a brand new Prime Video documentary titled Bye, bye Barry. Viewers will hear from Sanders, in addition to celebrities like Eminem, Jeff Daniels, Tim Allen, Emmitt Smith, Calvin Johnson, Herman Moore, Rodney Peete, Chris Spielman, Kevin Glover, Jalen Rose, Jemele Hill, Dan Patrick, and Invoice Belichick, in an exploration . From the legendary operating again and his stunning resolution to depart skilled soccer behind.

Let’s take a better look.

He walks away in his prime

On the planet of sports activities, there’s quite a lot of subjectivity. Anybody who has sat in a bar watching a match can verify this reality. Nonetheless, the statistics and numbers largely converse for themselves.

In these classes, Barry Sanders stands tall. In his closing NCAA season at Oklahoma State, He has accumulated an astonishing 2,628 yards and 37 speeding touchdowns en path to profitable the Heisman Trophy. He then joined the Detroit Lions because the third general decide of the 1989 NFL Draft, paving the way in which for soccer historical past.

Within the Motor Metropolis, the hits saved coming. Sanders recorded greater than 15,000 receiving yards throughout 10 skilled seasons, together with a 2,053-yard marketing campaign in 1997. His trophy case, although missing a Tremendous Bowl title, boasts six All-Professional nods, and two Offensive Participant of the 12 months crowns for that of the yr and the 1997 NFL MVP award. When he touched the ball, you knew one thing particular may occur.

However there’s extra to the story than simply the accolades. On the eve of the 1999 season, Sanders all of a sudden retired with out fanfare. The person who appeared virtually sure to interrupt Walter Payton’s speeding file hung up his helmet and left the nation. Followers have been astonished, just like the defender who was pulled out of his boot by Sanders.

Now, Prime Video is pulling again the curtain on Sanders’ profession and his resolution to depart the Lions.

“Bye bye Barry“The definitive, live-action presentation of Barry Sanders’ exceptional life story will premiere on November 21 solely on Prime Video in additional than 240 international locations and territories world wide, excluding Japan,” the corporate mentioned in a press launch. He launched a trailer at the side of the premiere date announcement. Bye bye Barry is the most recent addition to Prime membership.”

“Watching operating again Barry Sanders be a witness to the thriller,” added Angela Torma of NFL Movies, co-director and co-producer of the movie. However Sanders’ profession ended with a a lot better thriller: Why did one of many best operating backs of all-time move away in his prime, on the cusp of breaking the league’s all-time speeding file? Bye bye Barry“, we uncover why he retired, and why he nonetheless resonates so powerfully throughout at present’s sports activities panorama.”

Throughout his time on the courtroom, Sanders did his half to carry again the Lions’ roar. Now, in a becoming flip of occasions, the dwelling legend will probably be again within the highlight as his previous workforce seems to be hitting their stride.