DETROIT – Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders, the NFL’s third all-time leading rusher, announced his plans for a comeback at the age of 41 today at a sparsely-attended press conference. Football journalists agreed that while the Sanders’ surprising announcement was “somewhat interesting,” it paled in comparison to reports anticipating Brett Favre’s first preseason game with the Minnesota Vikings.
At Sanders’ press conference, he possibly stated his reasons for coming back to the league 11 years after his shocking retirement at the age of 30. Reports of what exactly was said are unclear, as the only reporter to attend Friday’s press conference was a reporter from Examiner.com, who only asked questions relating to Brett Favre. The only footage of the conference was shown during a 10-second clip on ESPN and was apparently shot by Sanders’ agent.
“So I’m, umm, coming back,” Sanders tentatively said to the conference room full of reporter. “I never thought I would be back, but the amazing journey I’ve been on the last year has made me…seriously, do I even have to finish this thing?”
“I guess it’s pretty cool that Barry Sanders is coming back,” said Sports Illustrated and NBC NFL expert Peter King. “But let’s face it: he’s just not as sexy as Brett Favre. I mean, he’s only retired once? Give me a break! By the way, I’ve got an exclusive interview with Brett Favre’s podiatrist today that gives you some incredible news about his footwear plans for this season. You won’t believe what kind of socks he’s wearing!”
ESPN football analyst Chris Mortensen said that it will be interesting to track the impact Sanders’ comeback has this season.
“I think the most important question is: how will Barry Sanders coming back effect Brett Favre?” Mortensen said. “He’ll be facing the Vikings twice this season, so it will be interesting to see if Favre can overcome this obstacle and lead his team to two improbable victories over the Lions.”
Mortensen said that Sanders’ picked “a bad season” to attempt a comeback, since it was likely to be overshadowed by important news such as Favre’s comeback, Plaxico Burress’ sentencing on gun charges and Michael Vick’s return to the NFL.
However, Sanders’ comeback is not the only major NFL to get lost in the hype surrounding Brett Favre. There are other major stories that Mortensen notes “might have been underreported” so far this preseason, but Mortensen insists there are good reasons. They include:
- Colts QB Peyton Manning losing his left arm in a combine accident at his family farm in Mississippi.
Mortensen: “If it was his throwing arm, this would be a bigger deal.” - The announcement by Titans QB Kerry Collins that he was leaving the NFL to start his own religious cult in a compound outside of Plano, Texas.
Mortensen: “I think we all saw this coming.” - Raiders head coach Tom Cable killing four people and injuring 12 others during a six-hour shooting spree from his perch on a crane above Oakland Raiders training camp.
Mortensen: “Just another day in the circus that is the Raiders.”
Mortensen said he hopes to address the Sanders comeback on ESPN before the start of the season, but that could change if something happens “like Tom Brady being seen applying some sort of balm or salve to his knee in practice. Now that would be a big story!”
