Barry Sanders Statue Unveiled in Detroit

STILLWATER – Barry Sanders is now a two statue football hero as joining the statue that was dedicated outside Boone Pickens Stadium on Nov. 13, 2021 is a new statue of Sanders as a Detroit Lion with a similar pose. The eight foot statue of Sanders is similar in size to the one on the Oklahona State campus where he won the Heisman Trophy and set 36 NCAA rushing records with the single greatest season on college football history. 

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Sanders poses with family including Barry J. Sanders, far left, and Flavor Flav (in the white.)

The new forever likeness of Sanders in his professional football home sits outside the Lions home stadium of Ford Field in downtown Detroit at the corner of Montcalm and Brush streets. 

Oddly enough, Sanders is the first Lions player to ever be honored with a statue as this season the Lions celebrate their 90-year anniversary. Alos, this weekend, one of Sanders’ primary blockers in offensive tackle Lomas Brown was inducted in the Pride of the Lions, it is their ring of honor.

Sanders was there for that too with the game against the Seattle Seahawks, which the LIons lost in overtime 37-31. 

At the statue ceremony Sanders had his family, former teammates, and celebrity Flavor Flav there. 

"You heard the saying that you give a person their flowers while they're around," Sanders said during the ceremony. "I don't plan on going anywhere any time soon, I'm just saying that saying ... but if this statue could be used with that analogy, then I would have to say this is one heck of a bouquet for me, so thanks a lot. I appreciate it."

Pat Kinnison - Chief Photographer

Sanders’ statue at Oklahoma State.

Sanders suddenly and abruptly retired from the Lions and the NFL in 1999. He had 3,062 carries for 15,269 yards, 352 catches for 2,921 yards and scored 109 touchdowns. He was selected to play in 10 Pro Bowls. He won 2 Offensive Player of the Year awards, the Offensive Rookie of the Year award and 1 MVP award. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.

Sanders also enjoyed the statue unveiling in Stillwater where he was a two-time All-American, one season as a kick returner and then 1988 when he rushed for 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns in winning the Heisman.

Sanders has a Netflix documentary series coming out on his life, football career, and surprising retirement called Bye Bye Barry that will debut on Nov. 21/