NFL legend and former Lions Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders has revealed that he experienced a “health scare” during Father’s Day weekend. Sanders’ scare was heart related.
While he didn’t provide an update on his condition, Sanders wrote on social media that he is “taking this opportunity to prioritize my health and well-being.”
“It was unexpected and served as a reminder of the importance of staying vigilant about our physical well-being, even when we are feeling fine,” Sanders wrote. “I am grateful for the amazing doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals for providing me with needed care. My family and I are thankful for your prayers and support during this time.”
Sanders, 55, currently serves as an ambassador for the Lions. He was recently seen at the 2024 NFL Draft, which was held in Detroit. During the draft, Bill Belichick said that Sanders was the most difficult opponent to defend during his 49 years as an NFL coach.
In January, Sanders and former 49ers Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana served as honorary captains for the NFC Championship game, which was won by the 49ers over Sanders’ Lions. Last September, Sanders became the first Lions player to have a statue built in his honor. In November, Amazon Prime released a documentary on Sanders detailing his career and his decision to retire despite being less than 1,500 yards away from breaking Walter Payton’s all-time career rushing record.
The explanation could be as simple as the league has decided to shut it down until training camp opens, deciding that the post-draft offseason juice isn’t worth the squeeze. Given that other decisions made by the league regarding NFL Media seem to be driven by cutting costs and increasing profits, it’s not crazy to think the league decided to mothball the show until football is back.
Or maybe the podcast has gone the way of Total Access. The once-signature NFL Network show has been canceled after more than 20 years. Before that, the league sent Good Morning Football into five months of limbo, while the show moves from New York to L.A.
With both of those developments, the NFL said what was happening. In this case, crickets.
Meanwhile, other NFL Media podcasts have continued to post new content since Around The NFL went dark.
Whatever the explanation for the 32-days-and-counting disappearance, the fact that no one from the show or the league has addressed it or explained it makes the whole thing confusing.