SportsCenter's Steve Levy and Bill Pidto broke the news that Barry Sanders was going to retire from the National Football League. There is a time and a place for it.
One of the greatest players in the history of the National Football League is getting flowers in a big way. There will be a statue of Barry Sanders outside of Ford Field in the near future.
He will be the first player to be honored outside of the arena.
The jokes have begun about the statue's height. Do you think that is true? There was a joke by sanders. Thanks to the Detroit Lions and the entire Ford family." I'm truly honored and grateful to be playing in front of these amazing fans in this great city since 1989.
Here is the official halftime announcement of the Barry Sanders statue that's headed to Ford Field ahead of the 2023 season. pic.twitter.com/IpQbHxZ1Dq
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) October 30, 2022
Chris Spielman, the Lions' special assistant to president/CEO and chairperson, made the announcement during the halftime ceremony of the Lions' game against the Dolphins.
"Lions fans are the most deserving of a monument here in Ford Field," he said. "Barry, on behalf of the Ford family, and the Detroit Lions organization, it is my pleasure to announce that we will unveil an 8 foot bronze statue of you here in Ford Field ahead of the 2023 season."
The Lions fans yelled "Barry!". There were a lot of franchise alumni standing on the field. The fourth-most rushing yards in the history of the National Football League can be traced back to Sanders. He was named first-team All-Pro six times in his legendary career in Detroit, and in 1997 he won the league's Most Valuable Player Award.
There is a statue at Oklahoma State University that is 9 feet tall.
The official celebration won't happen until next fall, but I'm looking forward to sharing that special moment with all of these fans and my teammates. I am so honored by this. Thanks a great deal.
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