Barry Sanders's Quotes

If I could start with anybody, I would initially draft Tom Brady. Then I would go get Ray Lewis, and then maybe an offensive lineman, or somebody like Adrian Peterson.

In all the time that people have known me, has anyone ever heard me talk about the importance of rushing records or finishing with the most touchdowns? So if that's never been important to me, then why would that be a motivation to keep playing?

It's hard to win in the NFL. You have to maintain a very delicate balance putting together the right team to be able to win and have any amount of success.

My mother was a huge influence on me. She was a living example of what a Christian should be. Her conviction, her discipline. She would rather see other people happy than herself.

Shortly after the end of last season, I felt that I probably would not return for the 1999-2000 season. I also felt that I should take as much time as possible to sort through my feelings and make sure that my feelings were backed with conviction.

The game is the ultimate significance to me because it is so important to a lot of people. It has left a mark on our culture to be voted as one of the best to ever play.

You can look at everything from pre-Heisman to post-Heisman, and I think that's why it ranks up at the top, because before then, I didn't even think I was good enough to be a professional ballplayer.

I really love peace and quiet.

Christianity affects your whole life. I feel I'm more competitive, a better player, but off the field is where there is always a battle.

My desire to exit the game is greater than my desire to remain in it. I have searched my heart through and through and feel comfortable with this decision.

I'm not better than anyone else. I'm not supposed to be on a pedestal. I've always stayed away from that.

It was a wonderful experience to play in the NFL, and I have no regrets. I truly will miss playing for the Lions. I consider the Lions' players, coaches, staff, management and fans my family. I leave on good terms with everyone in the organization.

As a kid, I played my share of football in the street or in a vacant lot.

I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do in school, but I definitely didn't have adequate time to reach my full potential as a student.

I don't know the right way to retire.

I like retirement.

I quit because I didn't feel like the Detroit Lions had a chance to win. It just killed my enjoyment of the game.

I want to thank all of the fans and media who made playing in the NFL such a wonderful experience. I have had the pleasure of meeting many of them.

I wish my teammates, coaches and the entire Lions organization all the best.

Individual goals never meant that much to me. The Heisman is no exception.

Let's just win it and go home.

Life doesn't stop with football.

Nothing ever turns out the way people expect it to.

Running back was always my favorite position.

The Heisman is the biggest award I've ever won.

You know, I'm fairly intelligent, but I don't think my grades reflected that.