Barry Sanders Retires in His Prime

July 27, 1999. Barry Sanders, star running back of the Detroit Lions, writes a letter announcing his intentions to abruptly retire from the NFL. At just 31 years old, one of the game’s top players is ready to hang it up and walk away — on his own terms.

Today, Barry Sanders stuns his teammates, his fans, and the entire football world. How did Barry Sanders become one of his era's most dominant offensive weapons? And what factors contributed to him retiring from football, at the peak of his powers?

Special thanks to our guests: Charlie Batch, former NFL quarterback; Alex Kirschner and Richard Johnson, co-hosts of the “Split Zone Duo: College Football Podcast”; Pat Jones, former college football and NFL coach; and Scott Mitchell, former NFL quarterback.

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