Barry Sanders is speaking out for the first time in 25 years about his decision to leave the Detroit Lions and retire from the NFL, and his former quarterback has reacted angrily.
Sanders abruptly retired just as the Lions were about to begin training camp in 1999, citing a loss of passion for the game and a lack of direction for the franchise. Sanders provided a more detailed explanation in a new Amazon documentary, stating that he believed Detroit’s Super Bowl window had closed.
“For me, just that thing that drove me to play, which is that passion, just wasn’t there,” Sanders told reporters. “There was really nothing left to play for.” I didn’t think we were a serious Super Bowl contender. … I felt like I was making a sound decision. “I just felt like this was pretty much it in my mind.”
The remarks rekindled some criticism for quarterback Scott Mitchell, who responded and defended himself on Facebook.
Scott Mitchell Expresses His Opinion
Mitchell responded to criticism that he was one of the primary reasons the team’s Super Bowl window had closed, praising Sanders but emphasizing that he was not the one holding the team back.
Mitchell posted on Facebook, “I just watched ‘Bye Bye Barry’ on Amazon Prime,” according to the Detroit News. “It wasn’t a pleasant experience.” For five years, I was Barry Sanders’ teammate. I witnessed some of the most incredible plays in NFL history. He will never have an equal in the NFL as a pure runner. I could argue that there were several more complete running backs, but I won’t. Barry was fantastic!
“However, I am so tired of hearing how I was the reason that Barry Sanders never won a Super Bowl,” he said. “I’m sick of hearing how bad I was as a quarterback. F-K YOU ALL!!!!! is my only response. Eminem (and) Jeff Daniels are among them.”
Mitchell’s comments sparked some debate, and he appeared on WFAN on November 22 to explain that he was tired of hearing how “if Barry just had a quarterback, he would be a Super Bowl winner.”
“I just felt like I had to defend myself,” Mitchell explained, adding that he didn’t think he had enough time in Detroit’s system to make things work.
Barry Sanders Discusses Retirement
Sanders stated in his documentary that he saw no hope in the near future. Despite reaching the NFC championship game in 1991, the Lions did not win another playoff game during his tenure. From 1994 to 1997, they were eliminated in the wild card round three times before dropping to 5-11 in 1998.
Following the 1998 season, the team made significant roster changes, parting ways with a number of key players. Sanders explained in the documentary that the roster overhaul left him unsure of the franchise’s direction.
“You go to war and go to battle with those guys, you form a bond, obviously,” Sanders went on to say. “Some of the guys they might have brought in to replace those guys weren’t the same, but you have to take the field with the guys you practice with.” We could have done much better and won some playoff games if that group had been able to stay together.”
After Sanders’ retirement, the Lions improved to 8-8 in 1999 and made the playoffs, but they would not return to the postseason until 2011.
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