Barry Sanders, a native of Wichita, Kansas, and one of the most remarkable running backs in NFL history, made a surprising retirement announcement in July 1999. The news first appeared in a fax sent to and published by his hometown newspaper, The Wichita Eagle.
In his new documentary, “Bye Bye Barry,” which made its debut on Amazon Prime, Sanders explores the central question of why he walked away from football. While discussing his retirement from the Detroit Lions and the NFL, he candidly acknowledges that today he might use social media to make his announcement.
During the film and in interviews, Sanders expresses no regret about retiring 1,458 yards shy of breaking Walter Payton’s then-NFL rushing record. His career total of 15,269 rushing yards is now fourth all-time behind Emmitt Smith, Payton, and Frank Gore.
Despite coming off an All-Pro season in which he ran for 1,491 yards and having what many believed were good years of football ahead of him, Sanders made the decision to walk away from the game at the age of 31.
The documentary poses various hypothetical scenarios regarding Sanders’ career with the Lions, including what could have been if different coaching and personnel decisions had been made. These scenarios include potential Super Bowl runs for the Lions and the possibility of reaching the all-time rushing record.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Sanders’ retirement is his method of announcing it through a fax and then heading to London. The documentary delves into the reasons behind these decisions, offering a more profound understanding of his perspective.
The impact Sanders had on Detroit and its fans is evident in the documentary as well, with appearances by rapper Eminem, actor Tim Allen, and journalist Jemele Hill, who share their thoughts and emotions regarding his retirement.
Despite Detroit’s struggles on the field, Sanders remains a beloved figure in the city, and the film aims to reintroduce his story to both casual and hardcore football fans. Overall, Sanders believes that the documentary will help enlighten fans about his career and the cultural impact he had without any regrets about his retirement decision.
