Truth & Rumors > NFL

Promo_BaseballChallenge_638x30

Ex-coach: Sanders didn't love the game

Views
800
Comments
-5

Former Lions coach Bobby Ross told petoskeynews.com he didn't think Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders loved the game of football or wanted to be a leader. Ross praised Sanders' ability and work ethic on the field, however, "I don't know if Barry really loved the game, but he worked hard at it," Ross said. "He did what he was supposed to do. I always wanted him to be a leader, but he didn't really want that role." "He was the only player I ever coached that whenever he touched the ball, you thought he would run for a touchdown."

Detroit Free Press

Barry Sanders, David Maxwell/Getty Images Barry Sanders, David Maxwell/Getty Images
June 19, 2008  08:10 AM ET

Hard to arguee, Why would Sanders leave the game so early if he loved the game so much.

June 19, 2008  08:11 AM ET

If y'all would've got him some linemen like Emmitt had in Dallas...

June 19, 2008  08:15 AM ET

Okay, why is this a relavent story today? Ross is a cranky old bitter man who was pissed because a player didn't do exactly what Bobby wanted. Not every person wants to have no life other than football like you!

June 19, 2008  08:16 AM ET

Dood was one of a kind. Long live Barry and his Invisible Offensive Line...

June 19, 2008  08:25 AM ET

Human highlight reel.............left too early

June 19, 2008  08:27 AM ET

Why is it wrong to not love the game? Why do you have to love it to play it? He had talent and he used it to make a career for himself. He liked the game enough to play (for whatever reasons) and the moment he didn't, he left the game. Football is a business and perhaps that is what Barry used it as. I do NOT fault him.

June 19, 2008  08:30 AM ET

I miss Barry Sanders.

June 19, 2008  08:36 AM ET

You can't fault the guy for not wanting to be a leader, not everyone is comfortable with that role. An amazing athlete who arguably could have been the best of all time statistically if he had stayed in the game, but he could have also ended up like one of the many who have blown out knees, shoulders, etc. if he continued to play behind the line that he had. Ross should be upset that the organization didn't do a better job of building a winner around Barry while they had a chance. And yes if only they had an O-Line like the Cowboys had in the day.

June 19, 2008  08:38 AM ET

i think barry did love the game just not like most would think. Barry was one of my all time favorite players to watch. he played the game with class and left the game on his terms with his health and plenty of money to do whatever he wished after football. the records obvisouly didn't mean a thing to this guy which makes me respect him that much more.

June 19, 2008  08:41 AM ET

The Lions always seemed to have the wrong offense going. The 'run-and-shoot' or something like that. Too bad history will look at him as 'could have been the greatest', instead of just 'the greatest'.

June 19, 2008  08:43 AM ET

Also, maybe he loves the game, but not the NFL. Pro sports has so many things wrong with them. Maybe he loved college football, but wasn't happy with the NFL atmosphere. All we can do is speculate.

June 19, 2008  08:46 AM ET

Hard to arguee, Why would Sanders leave the game so early if he loved the game so much.

Hank Hill | 06/19/08, 08:10 AM

Tired of losing?

Comment has been removed
June 19, 2008  08:48 AM ET

If y'all would've got him some linemen like Emmitt had in Dallas...

arejaydub | 06/19/08, 08:11 AM

arejay,

He didn't even need that much. How many times have we seen him dodge three guys behind the line & still make a 20+ yard run?

June 19, 2008  08:50 AM ET

Tired of losing?
CowboyDave | 06/19/08, 08:46 AM

Bret Favre played for the losing Packers for years (not last year), he loved the game.

June 19, 2008  08:57 AM ET

Barry was one of the more talented RB to ever play in the NFL.

June 19, 2008  09:11 AM ET

I loved to watch Barry, put yourself inhis shoes and you would also
get Tired of Losing, QB and RB are two different players,
QB is not beat up after each play, running or blocking.
The Lions sucked for many years, bad deals,
trades, coaches, Ross didn't help with his old school style:p

June 19, 2008  09:13 AM ET

Barry was one of the more talented RB to ever play in the NFL.

pw | 06/19/08, 08:57 AM

pw,

How'd you get to be so smart?

June 19, 2008  09:14 AM ET

Bret Favre played for the losing Packers for years (not last year), he loved the game.
Hank Hill | 06/19/08, 08:50 AM

You can't compare BF & BS. Bret wanted to be a "leader" as the QB should, Barry wanted to do his job. The Packers & the Lions are so far apart when talking about how things are run from the GM down to the last player taken in the draft.

Barry was GREAT end of story.

Oh, hey Bobby, go get a job & leave Barry alone. Maybe he left the game because of YOU!

 
June 19, 2008  09:15 AM ET

I used to love watching Detroit games back then. You could only keep him bottled for so long. You knew he was gonna reel off a huge gain at some point.

Comment

Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.


The Si.com Cover Hub Go to the Cover Hub

Stub Hub

The 2009 schedule has been released. Search for tickets!

Truth & Rumors

MOST POPULAR

  1. 1
    Ex-Eagle: Cowboys everything wrong about NFL
    Views
    58701
    Comments
    861
  2. 2
    Mangini scaring off GM candidates?
    Views
    23477
    Comments
    165
  3. 3
    Notre Dame commitment may enroll early
    Views
    7104
    Comments
    106
  4. 4
    Friend: Cavs should fear LeBron leaving
    Views
    8464
    Comments
    89
  5. 5
    What's wrong with Sosa's face?
    Views
    89463
    Comments
    84

Throwdowns

Most Active Users

Comments + Blog Posts + Throwdowns

  1. 1
    Porkins: F U to Hell, BCS
  2. 2
    RobertMenn: You stole my rake
  3. 3
    Perfectpats
  4. 4
    sign here
  5. 5
    Oso: Informative Sports. com

Message Boards

  1. NCAAF > General NCAAF

    Sports Illustrated says Pac 10…
    Views
    425
    Replies
    75
  2. NCAAF > General NCAAF

    BCS Standings - Updated:…
    Views
    163
    Replies
    17
  3. MMA > General MMA

    Post - SF thoughts
    Views
    118
    Replies
    27

Blogs