Barry "Quiter" Sanders (2 Viewers)

[Goat Herders]

...this is awesome.......

"YOU CAN'T QUIT!!!!!! We've made you rich so you OWE it to us to run out there and play until your body doesn't hold up! You, Mark McGwire, there's another year left on that contract. Hakeem Olajuwon, if we're paying you, you're going to suit up and go out there! Alonzo, we don't care about your kidney, get on the court!!!!!!!"

Unreal.

HERD

 

[Goat Herders]

You have no point like the rest of the fools that line up in threads like this to just rip someone that has a different opinion. If someone disagrees you point fingers and call out credibility but at least I know that the other guys that dislike me ripping their boy have the balls to make a counterpoint. Guys like you add nothing and you are supposed to be a shark? You are soft just like that Buc interior line...

You have a sharp tongue, considering how High and Mighty you seem to be...HERD

 

[Power Monster]

So is your opinion that he is not worthy of the HOF b/c he quit.That's your opinion and that's fine.But the fact is he put up HOF numbers. Can you admit that?

Sure his numbers are HOF numbers but because of the way that he left the game he is not worthy of the HOF. Remember- he quit on the NFL over money and because he did not get his way. Why is that such a noble thing? Some say he is a HOF player. Some say he is the best and some say he is better than Walter Payton. I say hogwash he is a quitter that had some nice runs. He F'd the Detroit fans and himself! I wonder what all the members of the HOF think about a guy like this? I wonder what a guy like Bronco Nagurski would think of a Barry Sanders? Guys like Nagurski made peanuts compared to Barry and played without a facemask. Guys like BN served their country in war and came back to play again but Barry gets in because he has a few years on SportsCenter highlights?

 

[Goat Herders]

Remember- he quit on the NFL over money and because he did not get his way.

He didn't get his way? What? So I guess we can all agree that Warren Sapp is a fine fellow for #####ing and moaning about everything but continuing to play?"Quiting" when you don't get your way is every bit an act of civil disobedience. In fact, I'd say the world would be a much better place if people stuck to their principles more often instead of getting bullied around by the system.HERD

 

[Power Monster]

...this is awesome.......

"YOU CAN'T QUIT!!!!!! We've made you rich so you OWE it to us to run out there and play until your body doesn't hold up! You, Mark McGwire, there's another year left on that contract. Hakeem Olajuwon, if we're paying you, you're going to suit up and go out there! Alonzo, we don't care about your kidney, get on the court!!!!!!!"

Unreal.

HERD

Your wheels are spinning. Slightly worked up over someone that disagrees with you hugghhh Herd? FYI- nice rant but the only thing insulting to me is you calling me a Lion fan. far from it! I could never support a team that plays in a dome...

 

[kt421]

Great comeback.

I guess that a guy can quit in his prime over money and a contract, leave his team high and dry over money and his contract, leave the game as probably the best RB in his era or close to it over money and a contract, forgo the chance at winning a Super Bowl over money and a contract, forgo the chance to demolish most RB records over money and a contract but he still is considered a great HOF player.I just will not get it or conceed it. He quit over money and a contract my friend and for that he is nothing more than a talented player that quit but some people admire quitters and guys that go out over money. One thing is certain, there are players and fans that love the NFL for the glory of winning and not whining. The glory of competing and not moping around belly-aching about his team and the city he plays for. If Barry left for these reasons he should have known where and when to pick his battles over coaches, teammates and ownership.

Do you have a clue what you are talking about? That's a rhetorical question, btw. Suggesting that Barry quit over money and a contract clearly indicates that you don't have a clue. Perhpas you could find some evidence to back up that claim? Because, as I recall, he was both under contract and forced to repay part of his contract when he quit. There was no attempt to renegotiate for more money. It just wasn't about money - he was sick of playing. Lots of guys get tired of playing. They retire. If you want to equate retirement with quitting, then your ire needs to be directed at a lot of players.Sure, he likely could have handled it better. But the Lions had plenty of reasons to think he would retire; starting with his comment in his rookie year that he'd probably play 10 seasons and culminating with his comment at the end of his last season that he was considering retiring. Unsurprisingly (for the Lions) they had no plan B. And if you think that Barry should have played a couple more years for the chance at the superbowl then you know nothing about the Lions franchise; there was no such possibility (unfortunately) given the lack of talent and lack of rising young players on the team he left. I don't really see the honor in hanging on to break individual records, either. That isn't exactly the "team play" attitude that you seem to thing Barry didn't possess.I'm constantly amazed that a guy who gave his all for 10 years, provided one of the only bright spots for lions' fans in the last 50 years, was one of the best RBs ever, was one of the nicest guys, exhibited tons of class on and off the field, and chose to go out on his terms is so vilified by supposed fans of the game. When you said you just "will not get it" you really meant it.

 

[Goat Herders]

Your wheels are spinning. Slightly worked up over someone that disagrees with you hugghhh Herd? FYI- nice rant but the only thing insulting to me is you calling me a Lion fan. far from it! I could never support a team that plays in a dome...

So you don't dispute anything I just said? Case closed....moving on.HERD

 

[Legion of Doom]

So is your opinion that he is not worthy of the HOF b/c he quit.That's your opinion and that's fine.But the fact is he put up HOF numbers. Can you admit that?

Sure his numbers are HOF numbers but because of the way that he left the game he is not worthy of the HOF.

Well I'm glad all this 'quitting' business has not blinded you to the facts. We will just have to disagree that him 'quiting' should keep him out of the HOF.

 

[Power Monster]

He didn't get his way? What? So I guess we can all agree that Warren Sapp is a fine fellow for #####ing and moaning about everything but continuing to play?"Quiting" when you don't get your way is every bit an act of civil disobedience. In fact, I'd say the world would be a much better place if people stuck to their principles more often instead of getting bullied around by the system.HERD

Yes keep feeling sorry for those millionaires Herd. That is why I watch the game so I can grovel on my knees like a sap and worship the money these players make. So I can feel sorry for a guy that decides on his own that he wants to play football for millions of dollars. Give me a break. Players will come and go but champs- they don't quit and yes Herd there is a difference between a player that retires and a guy that quits in his prime. There is no explanation for what he did with the exception that he could not play out his contract for fear that he was stuck on a bad football team. So he wants more money to stay or he wants to be released from his contract to go play for a winner. Hypocrisy you silly little man! So what does he do- he takes his middle finger and sticks it in the face of all Detroit fans and all NFL fans like you and denies you and the rest the records he could have shattered and now he comes back to pimp his book. Set your trap elsewhere and stick to the discussion of his HOF credentials. You want to flex your "in this day there is no loyalty" talk go open a thread and have at it.

 

[Power Monster]

Your wheels are spinning. Slightly worked up over someone that disagrees with you hugghhh Herd? FYI- nice rant but the only thing insulting to me is you calling me a Lion fan. far from it! I could never support a team that plays in a dome...

So you don't dispute anything I just said? Case closed....moving on.HERD

Yes like your boy quit and move on. Write a book and put some Homer quotes in it and call yourself great...

 

[Goat Herders]

. Players will come and go but champs- they don't quit and yes Herd there is a difference between a player that retires and a guy that quits in his prime.

Well then, he and Bjorn Bjorg, another QUITER by your definition, have plenty to talk about. And John Elway. And Roger Clemens. If images like Willie Mays stumbling around the outfield in the wrong uniform make you sleep better at night, keep on with it then...HERD

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Write a book and put some Homer quotes in it and call yourself great...

:rotflmao: Looks like Bronco wasn't the only one who played without a facemask.

 

[TheLaw]

Is there an age requirement on FBG?? Starting to think there should be.

 

[Iceman03]

Let me reiterate. Go buy LT's book. He need's his coke. Signed,LT... I mean Iceman. P.S. Barry is the greatest ever. I don't care rip me for saying it. I don't have to back it up Barry already did that for me on the field. I don't care what he did off the field, how he treated the fans, or why he left. Fact is nobody ever ran like him and nobody ever will.

 

[Legion of Doom]

he takes his middle finger and sticks it in the face of all Detroit fans and all NFL fans like you and denies you and the rest the records he could have shattered

Power I don't think most Detroit fans or NFL fans feel this way,I don't,but I'm just one person. Who knows maybe I'm in the minority.I think most would consider it a privilege to have seen him play and are greatful he stayed in Detroit as long as he did.

 

[Legion of Doom]

Fact is nobody ever ran like him and nobody ever will.

 

[Power Monster]

Great comeback.

I guess that a guy can quit in his prime over money and a contract, leave his team high and dry over money and his contract, leave the game as probably the best RB in his era or close to it over money and a contract, forgo the chance at winning a Super Bowl over money and a contract, forgo the chance to demolish most RB records over money and a contract but he still is considered a great HOF player.I just will not get it or conceed it. He quit over money and a contract my friend and for that he is nothing more than a talented player that quit but some people admire quitters and guys that go out over money. One thing is certain, there are players and fans that love the NFL for the glory of winning and not whining. The glory of competing and not moping around belly-aching about his team and the city he plays for. If Barry left for these reasons he should have known where and when to pick his battles over coaches, teammates and ownership.

Do you have a clue what you are talking about? That's a rhetorical question, btw. Suggesting that Barry quit over money and a contract clearly indicates that you don't have a clue. Perhpas you could find some evidence to back up that claim? Because, as I recall, he was both under contract and forced to repay part of his contract when he quit. There was no attempt to renegotiate for more money. It just wasn't about money - he was sick of playing. Lots of guys get tired of playing. They retire. If you want to equate retirement with quitting, then your ire needs to be directed at a lot of players.Sure, he likely could have handled it better. But the Lions had plenty of reasons to think he would retire; starting with his comment in his rookie year that he'd probably play 10 seasons and culminating with his comment at the end of his last season that he was considering retiring. Unsurprisingly (for the Lions) they had no plan B. And if you think that Barry should have played a couple more years for the chance at the superbowl then you know nothing about the Lions franchise; there was no such possibility (unfortunately) given the lack of talent and lack of rising young players on the team he left. I don't really see the honor in hanging on to break individual records, either. That isn't exactly the "team play" attitude that you seem to thing Barry didn't possess.I'm constantly amazed that a guy who gave his all for 10 years, provided one of the only bright spots for lions' fans in the last 50 years, was one of the best RBs ever, was one of the nicest guys, exhibited tons of class on and off the field, and chose to go out on his terms is so vilified by supposed fans of the game. When you said you just "will not get it" you really meant it.

Barry Sanders labored valiantly for the Lions for many seasons, and was on the verge of breaking Walter Payton's all-time career rushing record when, instead of reporting to the Lions' preseason training camp, he flew off to the United Kingdom. He blew the team off and in his new book he states that he cried on the sideline the year before in the last game at BAL because he knew he was "retiring". But he stuck it to the Lions so when he enters the HOF will he be wearing silver and blue?This was two-and-a-half years ago, and since then, he has said basically nothing to the media, letting his agents and his father drop what hints they may about his intentions. The Lions demanded that Sanders return a prorated portion of the huge bonus they gave him when they signed him to a 10-year contract, of which he still had about 5 years to go when he quit. Incredibly, Sanders refused, and the matter was referred to NFL lawyers for arbitration, who ruled that Sanders had to return the money. But as you say this had nothing to do with money. My friend, don't bring oranges here and try to make them out as apples.Lion’s officials tried to get a straight answer from Sanders, but the answer was always, "Talk to my agent." Then the haggling over the signing bonus began. Again nothing about money here- . In the meantime, Sander’s father, William, began spouting off about how his son was unhappy in Detroit, and would never don a Lions uniform again. Still, no word from Barry Sanders himself. The only explanation he ever gave was that he was "tired of football."So, why don't you come here and prove that it was not about money. Keep pulling out lines of my statements here and there but the bottom line is the guy just was not going to get his way with either his contract or his financial situation in lieu of his desire to just quit. Maybe he couldn’t handle it any longer like Herd?

 

[Goat Herders]

Lets begin at the beginning...WHY DOES SANDERS (or any athelete) NEED TO TELL YOU THE REASONS BEHIND THEIR ACTIONS? You seem angry that he hasn't qualified his retirement to your satisfaction. I'm telling you that he doesn't have to. If you expect an explanation for every action you deem questionable, you're in for a long and frustrating existance...HERD

 

[kt421]

Players will come and go but champs- they don't quit and yes Herd there is a difference between a player that retires and a guy that quits in his prime. There is no explanation for what he did with the exception that he could not play out his contract for fear that he was stuck on a bad football team. So he wants more money to stay or he wants to be released from his contract to go play for a winner.

Lots of players don't ever become champs, irrespective of how long they play. Its a team game - have you noticed?Barry had a lot left, but at 30 he was hardly in his prime. I guess he should have done like Emmit and played until it was quite clear he had zip left because he wanted another chance to be a champ? Oh, wait, Emmit didn't want another ring, he wanted another individual record.I didn't hear Barry say pay me more and I'll say - did you? Perhaps something like a link might back that up? Amazingly, you actually did point out one of the reasons he retired; he was sick of losing. Shocking and shameful; a guy that would rather retire with his body in decent shape than lose for yet another year. I'm absolutely aghast.BTW, did you notice the contradiction in your criticism of Barry for not sticking around to be a "champ" and your blasting of him for wanting to play for a winner?

 

[Power Monster]

Well then, he and Bjorn Bjorg, another QUITER by your definition, have plenty to talk about. And John Elway. And Roger Clemens. If images like Willie Mays stumbling around the outfield in the wrong uniform make you sleep better at night, keep on with it then...HERD

Yes now we are comparing Sanders to tennis players and baseball players. All of your points on these players sag like the cans on an 80 year old woman Herd. Comparing these men to a little loser like Sanders is quite funny. John Elway went out on top and even came back from his desire to retire after the first SB run to win another. Clemens stated during the season that it would be his last and what a career he had. No controversy or eccentric behavior here. They didn't just become "no-shows" in Spring Training and Training Camp. These men will be respected by all and both played thru some tough times and both overcame these tough times to become champs not chumps. Bring something else besides this tired old retired point you are bringing...

 

[Power Monster]

Let me reiterate. Go buy LT's book. He need's his coke. Signed,LT... I mean Iceman. P.S. Barry is the greatest ever. I don't care rip me for saying it. I don't have to back it up Barry already did that for me on the field. I don't care what he did off the field, how he treated the fans, or why he left. Fact is nobody ever ran like him and nobody ever will.

I respect your point...

 

[Power Monster]

Power I don't think most Detroit fans or NFL fans feel this way,I don't,but I'm just one person. Who knows maybe I'm in the minority.I think most would consider it a privilege to have seen him play and are greatful he stayed in Detroit as long as he did.

I respect your point as well but I tend to think that DET homers are a little ticked off. I could be wrong but as a BEARS fan I would have been real bummed if Walter was a no-show in Training Camp back in August of 1985 and then retired with no explanation...

 

[Goat Herders]

PM,

You're going to have to quit changing the parameters of the discussion if I'm going to participate. You've jumped around the map so much, I can't really tell what you're saying anymore... Help with the following.

You are mad because:

A) He didn't tell anyone, to your satisfaction, that he was retiring

B) He didn't play, to your satisfaction, until his legs fell off

C) He didn't go out as a champion, as defined by you

D) He didn't tell everyone far in advance that he was retiring

E) All of the Above

For the record: How did you feel when Michael Jordan got kicked out of the league for gambling - Uh - I mean RETIRED on short notice after winning 3 rings with plenty left in the tank?

HERD

 

[ardethan]

I find it amazing that there are so many Barry haters out there. Aside from cowboys / bears fans who want to imagine that "their guy" was the best since jim brown and people who will never forgive the guy barry hired to read his mail for losing their football card, such hostility is inexplicable.I'm a Lions fan and I will always feel blessed for having seen such a great player on my team. It is not, however, personal for me. I do not "thank" barry for being so great--it wasn't his choice to have such freakish talent or to be drafted by detroit. Nor do I blame barry for doing what any other adult can do--and many athletes, e.g. michael jordan and jim brown have done--namely retire when he chose to. Do I wish he would have stayed on for another 3-5 years and gotten 20K-25K yards? Sure. But that's life.Nobody, least of all Barry, is claiming that they way he handled his retirement was the greatest. Much like Ricky Williams, he has a quirky personality and sometimes runs away from problems rather than face them head on. This doesn't make him classless; it just makes him human.Incidentally, I've never understood the whole obsession with class and NFL players. We can debate which of the greats is classiest, but I reckon that the most classy NFL players are guys you never heard of--class just doesn't correlate (positively or negatively) with athletic success (though work ethic does).

 

[CanadianNFLJunkie]

I consider that a slap to his great career for him to be referred to as a quitter. He had no desire to play even though he was inches away from breaking the all-time rushing record. You just don't understand!

 

[ardethan]

Power I don't think most Detroit fans or NFL fans feel this way,I don't,but I'm just one person. Who knows maybe I'm in the minority.I think most would consider it a privilege to have seen him play and are greatful he stayed in Detroit as long as he did.

I respect your point as well but I tend to think that DET homers are a little ticked off. I could be wrong but as a BEARS fan I would have been real bummed if Walter was a no-show in Training Camp back in August of 1985 and then retired with no explanation...

Actually, in viewing this thread in all of its weekly incarnations, it's usually lifelong barry-haters who are PO'ed now. Lions fans, having lived with the nightmare Barry lived with as a player, are usually pretty understanding of his decision.

 

[Power Monster]

Lets begin at the beginning...WHY DOES SANDERS (or any athelete) NEED TO TELL YOU THE REASONS BEHIND THEIR ACTIONS? You seem angry that he hasn't qualified his retirement to your satisfaction. I'm telling you that he doesn't have to. If you expect an explanation for every action you deem questionable, you're in for a long and frustrating existance...HERD

Try again Herd. I can care less about him one way or the other. He is soaking in millions so God Bless him. He will have followers like you around to buy his book so he can make a million more telling a side to his story that should have been told the year prior to his big no show at camp. He was talented but no HOF player in my book. He wanted out so goodbye Barry. Actually, I cannot wait to see his induction speech. That is going to be something else. I can care less about a guy retiring but there was a lot of weirdness here and certainly some unbelievable situations...

 

[Goat Herders]

Sanders on Rome right now..."I retired for a lot of reasons.... I felt like I'd accomplished a lot of the things I wanted to accomplish...I wasn't going any further where I was...It was time to move on.""At the end of the day....playing football, you pay a big price. At the end of 10 years, I didn't see our team doing much more and I wanted to pursue some other things. I've gotten married and started a family...""There were certain things that happened (with the Lions) that I questioned. There were things that happened that made us a worse team and decisions that didn't have to be made."From the Book - "When I realized management didn't care about winning, it slammed me harder then any linebacker ever had."HERD

 

[Goat Herders]

PM,

Answer the question. You say you're a Bears fan, so you may very well be from Chicago...



How did you feel when Michael Jordan retired suddenly after the 3rd Bulls title? He had plenty left in the tank. He'd given no warning.

Be careful, hypocrites tread lightly...

HERD

 

[Power Monster]

PM,

You're going to have to quit changing the parameters of the discussion if I'm going to participate. You've jumped around the map so much, I can't really tell what you're saying anymore... Help with the following.

You are mad because:

A) He didn't tell anyone, to your satisfaction, that he was retiring

B) He didn't play, to your satisfaction, until his legs fell off

C) He didn't go out as a champion, as defined by you

D) He didn't tell everyone far in advance that he was retiring

E) All of the Above

For the record: How did you feel when Michael Jordan got kicked out of the league for gambling - Uh - I mean RETIRED on short notice after winning 3 rings with plenty left in the tank?

HERD

Herd-WOW! Who is jumping here and there. First tennis and baseball and now Michael Jordan! Come on junior you are taking this discussion into the ground. And your multiple choice setup is funny! Hard to get mad talking football about really something that will never effect either of us at all. Just some bored FF freaks in my book...

PS: MJ did come back and get 3 more. That is at least 6 more championships than BS... :rotflmao:

 

[MarshallRob]

Unbelievable. Look, Sanders was not a quitter or a "quiter" since he was under no obligation to keep playing. As I understand it multi-year NFL contracts are actually a series of one-year deals so as long as Sanders didn't stop playing during a season or a game he did not quit. For whatever reason, he just didn't want to play anymore. Playing 10 years and performing at a Hall-of-Fame level while the team around you gets worse and worse has to be incredibly difficult. With no realistic chance of a Super Bowl, the only reason for Sanders to continue playing would be for money, to pad his career stats, or for the love of the game. Apparently, the former two didn't mean that much anymore to Sanders and the latter no longer existed. Ten years in a brutal sport is a long time and if the guy didn't want to do it anymore he had every right to leave. He now admits he should have handled it better but there was nothing at all wrong with the decision itself.As for him deserving entry into the Hall-of-Fame, I cannot believe anyone could question that. A running back helps his team by advancing the ball forward and by scoring touchdowns. Sanders did a lot of both, and did it better than almost anyone. He was one of those rare players that fans wanted to see play regardless of what team he was on. Football's a team sport. You could probably field several all-star teams of players who never won a championship. It's a team sport and one guy, no matter how great, cannot make up for the performances of the other 40 or so guys on his team. The Lions never had the horses to win when Sanders was there. He did all he could do and then just didn't want to do it anymore. I don't understand attacking him as a quitter or denigrating his on-the-field performance.

 

[Power Monster]

PM,

Answer the question. You say you're a Bears fan, so you may very well be from Chicago...



How did you feel when Michael Jordan retired suddenly after the 3rd Bulls title? He had plenty left in the tank. He'd given no warning.

Be careful, hypocrites tread lightly...

HERD

Jordan will be known as the greatest player ever. He should have never come back and his play showed in WASH but he was there to try and teach the young guns how to play. He was wrong but he will merit more than Sanders ever will. Take all the shots at MJ or me that you want but these are different type of scenarios. MJ delivered and he will be as big as Walter, Ditka, Banks and Williams in Chicago for a very long time. It would have been the same if MJ was a no-show in camp and just retired but he left the first time over the gambling. I call that a two year time out NBA style. His second reign when the Bulls just dominated w Rodman was and will always be legendary. Plus, he honored his contracts. As you can recall, he went to become GM in WASH because he always desired a front office gig and he even wanted his own team. It wasn't so much MJ leaving CHI as it was more another chance to see him play because most NBA fans were fans of MJ...

 

[Goat Herders]

All of that is a fact, but you didn't answer the question. Jordan did exactly what Sanders did: He retired without notice. Albeit, he retired after the team won 3 rings. They still had the same team, could have won more, but he just hung it up.Without knowing he could have come back, would have come back, you're telling me that you WEREN'T pissed off? You didn't say, "How can he retire! They could win it again and he's just going to quit?" While you're so busy trying to be right and look smart, you're ignoring the exact same situation that happened in your own backyard...HERD

 

[Power Monster]

Unbelievable. Look, Sanders was not a quitter or a "quiter" since he was under no obligation to keep playing. As I understand it multi-year NFL contracts are actually a series of one-year deals so as long as Sanders didn't stop playing during a season or a game he did not quit. For whatever reason, he just didn't want to play anymore. Playing 10 years and performing at a Hall-of-Fame level while the team around you gets worse and worse has to be incredibly difficult. With no realistic chance of a Super Bowl, the only reason for Sanders to continue playing would be for money, to pad his career stats, or for the love of the game. Apparently, the former two didn't mean that much anymore to Sanders and the latter no longer existed. Ten years in a brutal sport is a long time and if the guy didn't want to do it anymore he had every right to leave. He now admits he should have handled it better but there was nothing at all wrong with the decision itself.As for him deserving entry into the Hall-of-Fame, I cannot believe anyone could question that. A running back helps his team by advancing the ball forward and by scoring touchdowns. Sanders did a lot of both, and did it better than almost anyone. He was one of those rare players that fans wanted to see play regardless of what team he was on. Football's a team sport. You could probably field several all-star teams of players who never won a championship. It's a team sport and one guy, no matter how great, cannot make up for the performances of the other 40 or so guys on his team. The Lions never had the horses to win when Sanders was there. He did all he could do and then just didn't want to do it anymore. I don't understand attacking him as a quitter or denigrating his on-the-field performance.

Great points but you prove many things in your arguement about the personality of today's current NFL player or the majority of the NFL player. It is all about the $$$$$$$$$$$ but with BS I agree 100% that his heart was not in it because for me, he could not handle the preparation and he quit. Yes, the NFL is a tough sport but so is the job of a guy that has to swing a sledge hammer, the guy that has to run a country and the guy that has to steady a jack hammer in Chicago in the middle of January. No one put a gun to his head to force him to play football and no one put a gun to his head to sign a 10 year contract for which I believe he only played 5 years. BS was a highlight film w great moves and the Lions had their chances. In the nFL, a team can turn it around in a year or two. Look at the Bengals now. Look at the Pats when they won it all or the RAMS. They came out of no where. If he wanted to play or even retire he would have done the right thing. Now he is just pimping to make money off of people like Herd...

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

All of that is a fact, but you didn't answer the question. Jordan did exactly what Sanders did: He retired without notice. Albeit, he retired after the team won 3 rings. They still had the same team, could have won more, but he just hung it up.Without knowing he could have come back, would have come back, you're telling me that you WEREN'T pissed off? You didn't say, "How can he retire! They could win it again and he's just going to quit?" While you're so busy trying to be right and look smart, you're ignoring the exact same situation that happened in your own backyard...HERD

Did you ever think that Jordan's "retirement" had anything to do with his gambling?

 

[BlueOnion]

I am one who is not overly impressed by Barry Sanders but I think labeling him a 'quitter' is a little harsh.

For myself, I consider Barry Sanders one of the greatest pure runners I have ever seen, but that does qualify him as a great running back (in my own opinion).

Here is an interesting spin that best illustrates why I am not high on Barry Sanders.

If somebody is going to consider Barry Sanders (great natural ability) a better running back than Emmitt Smith (good athletic ability, great system player), than wouldn't one also have to consider Randy Moss (great natural ability) a better wide receiver than Jerry Rice (good athletic ability, great system player)? Sure, there are other things to consider, but at a high level the comparison makes sense. What if Barry played in Dallas? What if Moss' quarterback was Steve Young and Joe Montana?

This is not a general 'blanket' statement about those who like or dislike Barry, but for myself Barry reminds me a lot of Randy Moss, which is hard for me to say as a die-hard Viking fan but I never felt Barry could consistently step it up in big games or in big situations and sadly I feel that way about Moss.

I don't want to highjack the thread by bringing up Sanders-Smith, Rice-Moss arguments, but those are my reasons for not being that high on Sanders.

The BlueOnion

Edited to highlight my contribution to the thread - highlighted in red.

 

[Legion of Doom]

Power I don't think most Detroit fans or NFL fans feel this way,I don't,but I'm just one person. Who knows maybe I'm in the minority.I think most would consider it a privilege to have seen him play and are greatful he stayed in Detroit as long as he did.

I respect your point as well but I tend to think that DET homers are a little ticked off. I could be wrong but as a BEARS fan I would have been real bummed if Walter was a no-show in Training Camp back in August of 1985 and then retired with no explanation...

Of course I would have been bummed,but I would not turn around say he did not deserve the HOF. I would not forsake everything he had done for my team b/c he decided he had enough.I would be pissed @ the team,specifically old man Ford,for thier inability to field a competitive team year after year or the desire to,that is what drove away the greatest rb to ever play,not money.

 

[Power Monster]

All of that is a fact, but you didn't answer the question. Jordan did exactly what Sanders did: He retired without notice. Albeit, he retired after the team won 3 rings. They still had the same team, could have won more, but he just hung it up.Without knowing he could have come back, would have come back, you're telling me that you WEREN'T pissed off? You didn't say, "How can he retire! They could win it again and he's just going to quit?" While you're so busy trying to be right and look smart, you're ignoring the exact same situation that happened in your own backyard...HERD

Keep setting traps Herd. When you fish you scare the school away. When you hunt the deer point and laugh. Back in HS the girls saw you coming with that Herd charm. I was never even once burned, mad or moved one bit when MJ retired because we knew that he was leaving all along and we knew the team was going to break apart. He reached his level and was mentally and phys tired and the fans knew it. He honored his contract and he came back after he re-charged the batteries. Unlike the quitter, he played and played until he was a champion. He did not cry and quit when the Bulls did not have the soldiers. He kicked the freaking door open an he told the brass what the team needed to win. He was and will always be respected for having the balls to accomplish the ultimate team goal- SIX times...

 

[Power Monster]

Power I don't think most Detroit fans or NFL fans feel this way,I don't,but I'm just one person. Who knows maybe I'm in the minority.I think most would consider it a privilege to have seen him play and are greatful he stayed in Detroit as long as he did.

I respect your point as well but I tend to think that DET homers are a little ticked off. I could be wrong but as a BEARS fan I would have been real bummed if Walter was a no-show in Training Camp back in August of 1985 and then retired with no explanation...

Of course I would have been bummed,but I would not turn around say he did not deserve the HOF. I would not forsake everything he had done for my team b/c he decided he had enough.I would be pissed @ the team,specifically old man Ford,for thier inability to field a competitive team year after year or the desire to,that is what drove away the greatest rb to ever play,not money.

LOD,The Lions had competitive teams during the Sanders era but you and I both know that Walter went thru a lot of hell to reach the ultimate goal and that is why he went to the HOF in grand style w no astericks or no mixed feelings...

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

lol at all those taking the bait

 

[kt421]

Bring something else besides this tired old retired point you are bringing...

Ummm...bring something besides this unsupported "he quit over money" point you've made...or can you?

 

[Legion of Doom]

He kicked the freaking door open an he told the brass what the team needed to win.

Your right! So did Sanders,the only problem is the Ford's were more concerned with making a profit,instead of making the playoffs.What would have happened to MJ if the Bulls never built a team around him like the Lions did to Sanders?

 

[packersfan]

Speaking as a Packers fan who saw a whole lotta Payton and Sanders (and even Emmitt) over the years, Sanders was the most exciting and the best running back I've ever seen (I'm not old enough to have seen Brown and was too young to remember O.J. in his prime). As a football fan, he gave me years of unbelievable highlights I'll never regret and if I was a Lions' fan I would be grateful he spent so many years in Detroit playing at a level few running backs will ever attain. He doesn't owe anybody anything. The guy was a winner - even if his team wasn't.

 

[Power Monster]

I consider that a slap to his great career for him to be referred to as a quitter. He had no desire to play even though he was inches away from breaking the all-time rushing record. You just don't understand!

No u just do not understand my friend. First off, I do not hat the man but I still think he is lame for leaving on "his" terms. Second, he should have left the game in a more respectable manner. He did owe the fans and the team that much...

 

[Power Monster]

lol at all those taking the bait

Maybe you should go back to the free for all and spread more of your govt BS around. LOL at the guys that want to maybe have a discussion regardless of opinion? Get a life dude. Try a little something in the world besides tickling yourself with your schmaltz!

 

[Power Monster]

Ummm...bring something besides this unsupported "he quit over money" point you've made...or can you?

Sure I can and I have regardless of right and wrong but I can respect Herd and anyone else that can bring a point. A guy like you- you cut and paste and jump on other's coat tails. Not a fun way to go thru life is it?

 

[Power Monster]

The bottom line here is Sanders is going to the HOF. I do not agree and I am in the minority here but I have given my reasons. I can thank the guys that wanted to hang and go at it like Herd and LOD and some others. I respect your points and the ball busting goes back and forth but to the clowns that just come her with their usual message board smart ### cut and paste comments? Well they are just thread killers and when I drop the mouse here it is all just a good fun day of talking about the greatest sport w the guys that want to talk football. Show me a thread where we all agree 100% on every issue. The fun of the board...

 

[kt421]

Sure I can and I have regardless of right and wrong but I can respect Herd and anyone else that can bring a point. A guy like you- you cut and paste and jump on other's coat tails. Not a fun way to go thru life is it?

Did you happen to read any of my posts above? You know, the ones where I make my points and ask that you provide some support for your incorrect assertions. Or is it that you can't find any support so you set up a straw man argument about coattails and cutting and pasting (whatever that really means)?

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

My opinion on Barry is that he is the greatest RB I have ever seen run.And he is not a quitter. He would not have been there, if he was.Don't confuse personal choices/life with quitting.Carry on...

 

[Goat Herders]

Sonny,I am actually quite certain that his retirement had to do with his gambling.HERD