Barry Sanders said he never imagined having any connection with fans across the globe.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer made the remark in an exclusive interview with DAZN News ahead of the Detroit Lions’ matchup against the New England Patriots at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
Sanders, who played his entire 10-season NFL career in Detroit and rushed for 15,269 yards, pointed to the current team’s strong performance as a driving factor behind the international interest.
Sanders offered high praise for running back Jahmyr Gibbs, identifying him as the complete package.
“Il y a beaucoup de gars rapides qui ne feraient pas nécessairement un bon RB,” Sanders told DAZN, before describing Gibbs’ traits in English.
All effort. All grit. pic.twitter.com/VLIC0nitjs
“With his speed, explosiveness, vision, balance and just being a great football player and a running back,” Sanders said of what makes Gibbs great.
Gibbs recorded 1,132 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns through his first eight games of the season. On Nov. 1, the team confirmed Gibbs joined Sanders as the only players in franchise history to score 10 or more touchdowns in four consecutive seasons.
“He is in the prime of his career,” Sanders said. “He still has plenty of other records to break in the future.”
Reflecting on the sport’s international reach, Sanders recalled playing in the 1993 American Bowl at the old Wembley Stadium, where the Lions tied the Dallas Cowboys 13-13 in a preseason exhibition.
The Lions have arrived in Munich 🇩🇪#NFLonDAZN #NFLMunichGame pic.twitter.com/vSB5An3cgG
“For many generations, it was simply a sport limited to the U.S., right?” Sanders told DAZN. “But as it has grown and is played on so many different continents, as a former player, it is really incredible to see.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell previously stated he has no doubt the league will eventually place franchises outside the United States. Sanders said that the ongoing discussions about adding a team in Europe represent an intriguing conversation for the sport.
A 🐐and his statue.@BarrySanders pic.twitter.com/SAUSIiA2Jo
Sanders retired in 1999, and the franchise unveiled a statue in his honor outside Ford Field in 2023.
“For me, it means, you know, being able to do cool things like that,” Sanders said of what it means to remain associated with the organization. “It’s my football family. That’s where, you know, I landed straight out of college. I was 20 years old.”
The Lions enter the game in Germany carrying a four-game winning streak. Quarterback Jared Goff and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown join Gibbs in leading the Detroit offense under head coach Dan Campbell.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, with the game broadcast live on NFL Game Pass.
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