Barry Sanders was 20 when he joined the Detroit Lions, and 37 years later, the Hall of Famer is still hearing his name chanted, this time in Munich.
The legendary running back spoke exclusively about his enduring connection to the franchise, the explosive rise of modern star Jahmyr Gibbs, and the expanding global footprint of the National Football League as the team prepares to play in Germany.
Detroit faces the New England Patriots at the Allianz Arena, marking the organization’s first international appearance since consecutive games in London in 2014 and 2015. For Sanders, who famously played in a 1993 preseason American Bowl at the old Wembley Stadium, the league’s international growth represents a massive shift from his playing days.
Sanders sits fourth on the league’s all-time rushing list with 15,269 yards, alongside an MVP award, two Offensive Player of the Year honors, four rushing titles, and 10 Pro Bowl selections. His trademark elusiveness and sudden changes of direction defined his career before he retired in 1999.
Having carried the ball with distinction for a decade entirely in Detroit—where the club honored him with a statue outside Ford Field—he sees exceptional talent in the team’s current backfield. The 24-year-old Gibbs has recorded 1,132 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns through eight games this season.
“There’s a lot of guys who are fast out there who wouldn’t necessarily be a good running back,” Sanders said.
He praised the modern runner’s complete skill set, pointing to his speed, quickness, vision, and balance on the field.
“With his speed, with his quickness, with his vision, with his balance and just, you know, being a great football player and a running back. Right. And so I think, you know, that’s what makes him great,” he said.
The franchise confirmed that Gibbs joined Sanders, who achieved the feat from 1989 to 1992, as the only players in team history to score 10 or more touchdowns in four consecutive seasons.
“He’s in the prime of his career,” Sanders said. “He has many more records in his future that he’s going to break.”
Sanders Credits Detroit Success for Global Fan Engagement
Reflecting on the passionate reception he received in Munich, Sanders credited the team’s current success, pointing to Detroit’s strong 6-2 record as a catalyst for worldwide fan engagement.
“It helps because of where the team is now too, right? How they’re playing, they’re one of the top teams in the NFL,” he said.
“But yeah, it’s something I never would have imagined, having any sort of a connection with fans across the world. But it shows you, you know, just how far the NFL has come and just how people are accepting the game, embracing the game, really,” Sanders said.
During his time in Germany, Sanders has participated in local traditions, including tapping a ceremonial keg. He said that watching the sport expand across multiple continents has been extraordinary after generations of it remaining strictly within the United States.
With league leadership discussing the possibility of placing franchises permanently in Europe, Sanders acknowledged the intrigue surrounding the prospect.
“I know that there’s conversations about maybe having a team in Europe at some point, you know, and so that’s a very interesting conversation,” he said. “As a fan in the US, it’s like, could the NFL get any bigger? But they’ve found a way to reach new markets. And as a fan, you know, it’s exciting to see, and we’ll see where it goes from here.”
Looking Ahead to Kickoff
The Lions enter the matchup carrying a four-game winning streak under head coach Dan Campbell. Alongside Gibbs, quarterback Jared Goff has delivered a stellar campaign, while wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown prepares for a special homecoming performance in front of his home country’s fans.
“For me, it means, you know, being able to do cool things like this,” Sanders reflected on his lifelong ties to the organization. “It’s my football family. You know, it’s where, you know, I came out of college. I was 20 years old. That’s how long I’ve been associated with the Detroit Lions. You know, and it’s just really one of the best things that happened in my life,” Sanders said.
Sunday’s game kicks off at 2.30 p.m. GMT.
