(CBS Detroit) – Detroit Lions legend Barry Sanders revealed Friday that he experienced a “heart-related health scare” over Father's Day weekend.
“This was unexpected and a reminder of the importance of continuing to look after your physical health, even when you're feeling well.” Sanders said on X (formerly Twitter):.
Sanders said he will follow his doctor's advice and prioritize his health and well-being.
Lions People reacted to the announcement on social media“I'll be fine soon, Barry,” he said.
Sanders was selected third overall by the Lions in the 1989 NFL Draft and played 10 seasons before retiring in 1999. The 2023 documentary “Bye Bye Barry” follows Sanders' decision to retire despite being on the verge of becoming the NFL's all-time leading rusher.
The former running back finished his career with 15,269 rushing yards and 109 touchdowns, and was 1,457 yards away from passing Walter Payton as the NFL's all-time rushing leader, a record that was broken three years later by Emmitt Smith.
Before joining the Lions, he was recruited by Oklahoma State University and won the Heisman Trophy in 1988.
The Lions honored Sanders with an 8-foot-tall statue outside Ford Field in 2023. Sanders also made an appearance at the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit, helping to announce the team's second-round pick, Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
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