On Father’s Day weekend, Detroit Lions legend Barry Sanders shared on X (formerly Twitter) that he had a health scare related to his heart. Despite feeling fine, Sanders emphasized the importance of being vigilant about our physical well-being and following the recommendations of doctors to prioritize our health.
Sanders, who is 55 years old, drafted third overall in the 1989 NFL Draft by the Lions and played for the team for 10 seasons before retiring in 1999. A documentary titled “Bye Bye Barry” from 2023 chronicles Sanders’ decision to retire despite being on the verge of becoming the NFL’s all-time leading rusher. He finished his career with 15,269 rushing yards and 109 touchdowns, falling just 1,457 yards short of surpassing Walter Payton’s record, which was ultimately broken by Emmitt Smith.
Before joining the Lions, Sanders was recruited by Oklahoma State University and won the Heisman Trophy in 1988. In 2023, the Lions honored him with an 8-foot statue outside of Ford Field. Sanders also made an appearance at the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit, where he helped announce the team’s second-round pick, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. The Lions responded to Sanders’ announcement on social media by wishing him a quick recovery.
