Why did Barry Sanders quit the NFL?
Asked by
dreamwolf (
3163
)
September 6th, 2011
I realize he retired way too early. Why did Sanders retire? Oldies but goodies only to answer the question. No kids/spammers that just learned football in the year 2000.
Observing members:
0
Composing members:
0
5 Answers
“Several years after retirement, and repeated refusals to discuss the abruptness of it, Sanders finally admitted that the culture of losing in the Lions’ organization was too much to deal with even though he said that he could still play. He explained that it robbed him of his competitive spirit, and he saw no reason to believe things were going to improve. Although Detroit had made the playoffs the season prior to his retirement (losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20–10 on the road in a 1998 NFC Wild Card game), Detroit drafted quarterback Charlie Batch in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft. It became apparent that Batch would become Detroit’s full time starter the next season, and Sanders seemed unwilling to embrace yet another change in the Lions’ seemingly endless carousel of quarterbacks and offensive philosophies. He had also gone on record to criticize Detroit’s front office (most notably Chuck Schmidt) for releasing Pro Bowl center Kevin Glover for salary cap reasons. Glover was an underrated player and close friend of Sanders in Detroit. He stated there were tears in his eyes as the Lions lost in the playoffs to Tampa in 1998, because he knew in his heart he was never going to play another game for Detroit. “I sobbed for 3 months,” Sanders said.[10]”
Wikipedia
@marinelife Sometimes, the reality of it all, can be overbearing. Such an illustrious career in my opinion. I feel like Tomlinson won’t ever touch the big dance either :/
@dreamwolf He was a great loss to the NFL. It must have been so depressing to be that good on a bad team.
@marinelife – great piece. I was hoping you had written it yourself. I was so lucky to have grown up watching him play.
@marinelife @iLove What running back in the league, or have been in the league the last 10 years might have even remotely reminded you of him? I’ve seen his highlights in my opinion he wasn’t a powerful looking guy, but just had that superb vision. Maybe the emergence of a finesse back like Chris Johnson? He doesn’t seem as stocky though.
Answer this question 
