My biggest takeaway from the documentary was that Barry retired because he didn’t want to break the rushing record. I was a big fan of his as a kid and you always heard “Barry doesn’t care about the accolades” “Barry isn’t in it for the individual accomplishments”, as if he was neutral or apathetic about them. But the documentary made it quite clear that he actively did not WANT the individual accolades. He didn’t want to hold the rushing title, he didn’t want the Heisman, he was so deeply uncomfortable with the spotlight that I think he dreaded being the #1 guy on the podium. I think he left because he knew he would break the record that year and he didn’t want it.
That’s not to say nothing else played a role. I imagine if he saw a path to get him and his teammates a SB he would have kept playing. But when that individual accomplishment seemed to be the only thing he was chasing I think he just said Nah.
He played 10 years and was 30 years old.
He was still good but I get kinda annoyed with people suggesting he walked away in his prime.
How many running backs hit their prime after their 10th season?
Because he played for the Lions
A 30 year old RB bellcow who had played over 150 games is hardly walking away from the game early.
Sure he could have gone on a season or two more but for what? He didn’t need to do anything else to secure his HoF legacy. He wasn’t going to win a ring playing a couple more years at the Lions.
A couple more seasons and he probably holds the all time record and Emmitt Smith never passes him. Smith finished with about 3k more yards playing five more seasons. The last 3 being in Arizona where he was recording lower numbers but he was a draw for fans because of the record. If Barry was up in the 18k range when Emmitt is let go by the Cowboys the Cardinals probably dont pick him up.
lol Lions?
Sanders hated playing for Bobby Ross, didn’t think Ross was using him right and didn’t think the team could win with Ross’ coaching and scheme.
Another fun fact is that Bobby Ross is Frank Reich’s mentor. Both coaches have had high profile, sudden retirements take place on teams they coached (Sanders & Luck)
Didn’t Ross also want him playing the full training camp/preseason and he just up and retired instead when he couldve broken the rushing record that year? I vaguely remember some type of drama from the old Army coach…
Mad at his parents
The Lions; ie… no light at the end of the tunnel. Ever.
Same reason Calvin Johnson did, to be honest.
I always read this as something only the player knows. We still saw an all time great close to his peak. But, how did he feel? Possibly he felt worn down at this point. He just saw decline and possibly injury coming.
Back then a RB wall around the early 30s happened almost as often as now.
And what light did he see at that point to keep going for? He could have tried to force a trade, but that was never Barry’s style.
He surely felt satisfied with what he accomplished and didn’t see much worth continuing for.
He didn’t. He walked away when he was 30.
Bobby Ross was an asshole.
I think you meant it’s on Prime, not in it.