Barry Sanders reveals real reason behind sudden retirement from Lions

Widely considered one of the greatest running backs in NFL history, Barry Sanders shocked not just the Motor City but the entire sports world when he abruptly retired before the 1999 season.

Now, Sanders is finally opening up about why he stunned the Detroit Lions by announcing his retirement on the eve of training camp, a decision he conveyed through a faxed letter to The Wichita Eagle, his hometown newspaper.

Sanders made a recent appearance on the “Get Got Pod” co-hosted by Marshawn Lynch and Mike Robinson and explained that there came a certain point in his career where it just didn't feel “it” was there, via X.

“That everyday grind, all those little things you have to do to stay on top of your game. For me, when I got to 28-29, I just felt like it wasn’t there. Also, things going on with the team. I felt like we were kind of rebuilding, there was no need to stay around. I had pretty much-done everything besides win a Super Bowl.

Being that we were kind of rebuilding, I didn’t really see that in my sights. That drive, that passion I always had, it just you know, wasn’t there in the same way. I need to be somewhere else on Sunday if my mind and heart really isn’t there.”

Sanders left the game after amassing 15,269 rushing yards and 99 rushing touchdowns.

Barry Sanders issued a plea to the current Detroit Lions

The current edition of the team is nothing like the mostly hapless Lions squads that Sanders played for during his career. Detroit is a legitimate Super Bowl contender, even without the services of defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.

And their successes this season didn't go unnoticed by Sanders, who believes the time is now for the franchise to finally win the elusive Super Bowl.

“It has to be, it has to be absolutely,” Sanders said about Detroit's championship prospects this season. “In this game, nothing is promised. You look at going back three years ago just how they’ve slowly just build and constructed this roster offensively and defensively.”

“Every year, they’ve added a few more wins, and two years ago going into Green Bay, Green Bay had a chance to go to the playoffs. We were knocked out, but we were still fighting for respectability. Then last year come back, NFC Championship game, we don’t have to go through the details of that game and how we were in command at halftime.”

The Lions trail only the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs in betting odds to win their first title.