Lions Legend Diagnosed with Dementia at 57 – Can’t Speak, But Still Remembers Playing for the Lions

Detroit, MI – The NFL community is devastated by the news that Barry Sanders, one of the greatest running backs in NFL history and a true Detroit Lions icon, has been diagnosed with dementia at the age of 57. This heart-wrenching condition has reportedly left Sanders unable to speak and struggling to recognize those closest to him.

According to his family, the former star has moved into a full-time care facility, the only place equipped to provide the medical care he now requires. His memory and cognitive abilities have declined rapidly, a painful shift from the electrifying career that made him a Hall of Famer.

His wife shared an emotional update:

“He can’t speak anymore. He only remembers our children’s names and that he once played football. He doesn’t even know my name. Doctors say it’s Frontotemporal Dementia, and I believe constant head trauma from his football career caused it. This game gave him everything, and now, it’s taking his mind.”

The man she’s speaking about is Barry Sanders, a football legend whose rare combination of vision, speed, and agility made him one of the most electrifying players to ever step on the field. A ten-time Pro Bowler and two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Sanders is widely regarded as one of the greatest running backs of all time and an icon in Detroit sports history.

Over his ten-year career with the Detroit Lions, Sanders rushed for 15,269 yards, earning him a place in the NFL Hall of Fame in 2004. He also accumulated 99 touchdowns and a career average of 5.0 yards per carry, often dazzling fans with his ability to make defenders miss and his incredible patience behind the line of scrimmage. Sanders’ ability to change direction in a blink, combined with his unmatched vision, set him apart as one of the most exciting players the NFL has ever seen.

However, like many other NFL players, Sanders paid the price for his brilliant career. The physical toll of absorbing repeated hits and taking on the punishment that came with his position has caught up with him. His current condition serves as a sobering reminder of the long-term risks players face as they push their bodies to the limit.

Today, the glory of his playing days seems distant. Sanders can only faintly recall the record-breaking runs, the iconic touchdowns, and the Lions fans who idolized him. This is the harsh reality of dementia and the toll it has taken on a man who gave so much to the game.

Across the Lions’ faithful, fans and former teammates have rallied together in support. Barry Sanders once embodied the heart of Detroit football — elusive, explosive, and full of grace under pressure. Now, the hope is that the same fighting spirit that led him to countless accolades and records will help him face this difficult battle.

The Detroit Lions have honored Sanders' legacy by retiring his jersey number 20 and inducting him into the team’s Ring of Honor. His contributions to the franchise and the NFL will never be forgotten, and his impact on the game continues to resonate today.

As the Lions look to the future, the memory of Barry Sanders’ incredible career will continue to inspire players and fans alike. His legacy serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by athletes and the importance of supporting them as they face the challenges of life after football.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Barry Sanders and his family during this incredibly difficult time. May his strength, determination, and incredible legacy continue to inspire all who know his story.

Bad News on Cowboys’ George Pickens Contract Talks

For the Cowboys and new receiver George Pickens, there has been much to be excited about here in the early stages of his career in Dallas. Through eight games, Pickens has given the Cowboys the kind of secondary weapon to run alongside CeeDee Lamb that the team has long lacked, and the numbers have been impressive: Pickens has 43 catches for 685 yards and six touchdowns.

Pro Football Focus currently rates Pickens as the No. 5 receiver in the NFL.

The problem, and the reason the Cowboys were able to pluck Pickens from the Steelers for a third-round pick, is that Pickens is heading into free agency. There has been hopeful chatter about the Cowboys locking up Pickens on a long-term extension before he hits the market, chatter that has been amplified by a report from ESPN that the Cowboys have had “internal discussions” about a deal with Pickens, as well as statements from owner Jerry Jones.

“Any and everything about George Pickens has crossed our minds. …” Jones said on Dallas radio. “Certainly he’s a topic of interest and discussions because of the success he’s having.”

Cowboys Not Having Contract Talks With George Pickens

Now, though, is the part of the story in which we forcefully pump the brakes on the idea of Pickens getting a new deal with the Cowboys and keeping the excitement of this offense rolling past this year.

According to team insider Ed Werder of WFAA, there has been no conversation between the Cowboys and Pickens’ people about a long-term extension for the star receiver.

Wrote Werder on Twitter/X: “With a week remaining before the #NFL trade deadline, the #Cowboys have not engaged in contract extension talks with WR George Pickens or his representatives. Pickens is on an expiring contract. Franchise player designation is an option that would cost projected $28M.”

GettyOwner Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys.

George Pickens Projected for $145 Million Contract

Indeed, the Cowboys could franchise Pickens, which would keep him in Dallas for another year, but that option is not cheap at $28 million. It’s not a long-term commitment, though, and it would allow the Cowboys to keep Pickens in town for another year while the team addresses its many defensive holes.

That would probably not sit well with Pickens, though, who came to Dallas hoping to show he can be a No. 1 receiver when paired with a competent quarterback (those were few and far between in Pittsburgh). He’s done that, and should be in line for a contract that Spotrac projects to be worth five years and $145 million.

Putting him at an injury risk for a season at $28 million would obviously not be Pickens’ top choice.

Cowboys Always Planned to Move On?

Complicating matters, too, is the fact that Pickens is represented by the same agency–Athletes First–that represents Micah Parsons. One of the catalysts for the collapse of the Parsons-Cowboys relationship was owner Jerry Jones’ refusal to go through contract negotiations with the agency, as he instead tried to negotiate with Parsons directly.

If there is a hope for a Cowboys-Pickens contract, it would require Jones and the Athletes First honchos to talk. The Cowboys can have all the “internal discussions” about keeping Pickens that they want, but they’re useless unless they’re talking to Pickens’ people.

When the Cowboys traded for Pickens, it looked as though the plan was for it to be a one-year rental, with the hope of a compensatory draft pick once Pickens left in free agency. Halfway through the season, even as well as Pickens has played, that still appears the most likely outcome.

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