Fans were alarmed by last weekend’s news that NFL legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Barry Sanders suffered a health scare.
Reports emerged that the Detroit Lions great had a heart-related issue over Father’s Day weekend.
Sanders posted on social media that, despite feeling well, he had an upsetting experience that should remind everyone to be diligent about their health.
The retired legend added that he is grateful for the support pouring in from around the league, and part of that emotion came from the team he suited up for during ten memorable seasons.
In a show of respect for the greatest player ever to don the blue uniform, the Lions posted on the team’s official X account, “Get well soon, Barry.”
🙏 @BarrySanders pic.twitter.com/GDwaLN7NRC
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) June 21, 2024
The Lions paid the ultimate tribute to Sanders last season when the team unveiled a statue that now stands outside of Ford Field in the Motor City.
The 55-year-old Sanders retired unexpectedly in 1998 after a career that will be remembered as long as professional football is played.
He still ranks fourth all-time with an astounding 15,269 rushing yards for his efforts.
His unique style of making defensive players miss with a variety of athletic moves has never been duplicated, and his 99 touchdowns on the ground are a testament to his will to win.
However, losing may have ultimately ended Sanders’ playing days while he was still physically capable of gaining huge yardage.
Sanders was many times the only weapon on notoriously bad Lions teams, and the toll of working so hard for so little success eventually wore him down.
