Article ex-Lions coach downs Barry Sanders - The Postgame Pub

**P J Shaker** · 06-19-2008, 07:47 PM

Former Lions coach Bobby Ross told petoskeynews.com he didn’t think Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders loved the game of football or wanted to be a leader.

Ross, 71, speaking at Beyond the Scoreboard Champions of Character Awards Dinner Tuesday at the Emmet County Fairgrounds Community Building, praised Sanders’ ability and work ethic on the field, however, "I don’t know if Barry really loved the game, but he worked hard at it," Ross said. "He did what he was supposed to do. I always wanted him to be a leader, but he didn’t really want that role.

"He was the only player I ever coached that whenever he touched the ball, you thought he would run for a touchdown."

Sanders’ father, William, said at the time of Sanders' retirement that his son retired because of continued frustration over repeated front-office ineptitude and an increasing dislike of how coach Ross ran the team. After he abruptly retired on the eve of the 1999 season, Sanders didn’t respond to dozens of phone calls from Ross.

Publicly, the running back never admitted that Ross had anything to do with his retirement decision. He said he retired "because as my desire for the game left, I could no longer put my total self into it the way I was used to doing."

Ross retired from the Lions soon after -- in the middle of the 2000 season with Detroit 5-4 and still in the playoff race.

He said he retired mostly due to health problems, though owner William Clay Ford told the Free Press at the time it was more frustration with the Lions, "I just sensed his total frustration, that he played every trick in the book that he knew and none of them were working," Ford said. "When the tank's empty, you can't go any farther."

Ross told the Petoskey News: "I had blood clots in my legs, one in my calf and the other by my knee," Ross said. "I was actually hospitalized for five days, I was on medication that I still take and I had to elevate my legs."

"I had to retire. I panicked, I got scared. I was wrong. My father was a double amputee. I just got scared."

He was the last Lions coach to make the playoffs (1999).

"We had some success and the Lions always had great fans," Ross said. "We used to just pack that Silverdome.

"I made a mistake in Detroit and I kind of went into a closet. After my time there I said I’d never let that happen again. I’d never worked a (salary) cap before and it’s best to have a GM and a coach that can work together and communicate.

"I liked Mr. Ford a lot. He was totally committed to the program and he always tried to get the best players. To this day I really enjoyed working with him."

Ross retired in Jan. 2007 as Army's football coach after a 9-25 record in three seasons. He went 27-32 in 1997-2000 as head coach of the Lions. He also coached the San Diego Chargers, whom he led to a Super Bowl loss.

SOURCE: Detroit free press, www.freep.com

Darius Ali · 06-19-2008, 07:50 PM

Well, quite honestly that may be a true statement about Barry. Although it means little to nothing. Barry Sanders is a top 3 RB of ALL TIME.

Jerome · 06-19-2008, 07:51 PM

i'll take bobby ross at his word. he's was a quality coach, and a good football man. this article sheds some light on a still murky issue that almost nobody ever talks about anymore.

the Mongoose · 06-19-2008, 08:01 PM

In Barry's book he himself said that he didnt "love" the game. But Booby Ross can go fuck himself for just walking out mid-season.

**P J Shaker** · 06-19-2008, 08:17 PM

Barry is the best back of all time...the fact that he quit in his prime with approx. 2500 yds shy of the all time rushing record....and he did that with an inferior O-Line...he would have shattered any rushing yds records and no one could have touched them...the guy was nuts..

and i do not disagree with Bobby Ross, Barry did not want to be a leader, he was a quiet, humble man that just wanted to lead from example. He was problematic year in and year out about training camp, he never made it on time and missed handfuls of days. He couldn't have been a good team leader, he didnt put up a good example, But he was the leader on the field but not the charismatic leader that they wanted...he just showed everyone else how to be the best in the game....

06-19-2008, 07:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
P J Shaker On the verge of greatness Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,052 vCash: 52045 Donate XBL Gamertag: P J Shaker Rep Power: 100	ex-Lions coach downs Barry Sanders Former Lions coach Bobby Ross told petoskeynews.com he didn’t think Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders loved the game of football or wanted to be a leader. Ross, 71, speaking at Beyond the Scoreboard Champions of Character Awards Dinner Tuesday at the Emmet County Fairgrounds Community Building, praised Sanders’ ability and work ethic on the field, however, "I don’t know if Barry really loved the game, but he worked hard at it," Ross said. "He did what he was supposed to do. I always wanted him to be a leader, but he didn’t really want that role. "He was the only player I ever coached that whenever he touched the ball, you thought he would run for a touchdown." Sanders’ father, William, said at the time of Sanders' retirement that his son retired because of continued frustration over repeated front-office ineptitude and an increasing dislike of how coach Ross ran the team. After he abruptly retired on the eve of the 1999 season, Sanders didn’t respond to dozens of phone calls from Ross. Publicly, the running back never admitted that Ross had anything to do with his retirement decision. He said he retired "because as my desire for the game left, I could no longer put my total self into it the way I was used to doing." Ross retired from the Lions soon after -- in the middle of the 2000 season with Detroit 5-4 and still in the playoff race. He said he retired mostly due to health problems, though owner William Clay Ford told the Free Press at the time it was more frustration with the Lions, "I just sensed his total frustration, that he played every trick in the book that he knew and none of them were working," Ford said. "When the tank's empty, you can't go any farther." Ross told the Petoskey News: "I had blood clots in my legs, one in my calf and the other by my knee," Ross said. "I was actually hospitalized for five days, I was on medication that I still take and I had to elevate my legs." "I had to retire. I panicked, I got scared. I was wrong. My father was a double amputee. I just got scared." He was the last Lions coach to make the playoffs (1999). "We had some success and the Lions always had great fans," Ross said. "We used to just pack that Silverdome. "I made a mistake in Detroit and I kind of went into a closet. After my time there I said I’d never let that happen again. I’d never worked a (salary) cap before and it’s best to have a GM and a coach that can work together and communicate. "I liked Mr. Ford a lot. He was totally committed to the program and he always tried to get the best players. To this day I really enjoyed working with him." Ross retired in Jan. 2007 as Army's football coach after a 9-25 record in three seasons. He went 27-32 in 1997-2000 as head coach of the Lions. He also coached the San Diego Chargers, whom he led to a Super Bowl loss. SOURCE: Detroit free press, www.freep.com

06-19-2008, 07:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
Darius Ali PGP HoFer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cheyenne, Wyoming Posts: 2,616 vCash: 29888 Donate My Blog: BallAboveAll-Basketball news and analysis PSN Gamertag: DariusJustinAli Blog Entries: 5 Rep Power: 56 Awards Showcase Total Awards: 2	Re: ex-Lions coach downs Barry Sanders Well, quite honestly that may be a true statement about Barry. Although it means little to nothing. Barry Sanders is a top 3 RB of ALL TIME. __________________ "Just Win Baby"

06-19-2008, 07:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jerome PGP HoFer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sacramento, California Posts: 2,000 vCash: 5460 Donate Rep Power: 57 Awards Showcase Total Awards: 2	Re: ex-Lions coach downs Barry Sanders i'll take bobby ross at his word. he's was a quality coach, and a good football man. this article sheds some light on a still murky issue that almost nobody ever talks about anymore.

06-19-2008, 08:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
the Mongoose PGP Bench Warmer Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 43 vCash: 2784 Donate Rep Power: 1	Re: ex-Lions coach downs Barry Sanders In Barry's book he himself said that he didnt "love" the game. But Booby Ross can go fuck himself for just walking out mid-season. __________________ My Better smells like french toast! New Orleans-Bigframe79

06-19-2008, 08:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
P J Shaker On the verge of greatness Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,052 vCash: 52045 Donate XBL Gamertag: P J Shaker Rep Power: 100	Re: ex-Lions coach downs Barry Sanders Barry is the best back of all time...the fact that he quit in his prime with approx. 2500 yds shy of the all time rushing record....and he did that with an inferior O-Line...he would have shattered any rushing yds records and no one could have touched them...the guy was nuts.. and i do not disagree with Bobby Ross, Barry did not want to be a leader, he was a quiet, humble man that just wanted to lead from example. He was problematic year in and year out about training camp, he never made it on time and missed handfuls of days. He couldn't have been a good team leader, he didnt put up a good example, But he was the leader on the field but not the charismatic leader that they wanted...he just showed everyone else how to be the best in the game....