BYE BYE BARRY-Why Did Sanders Flee from the Game and Fame

BYE BYE BARRY is the compelling sports documentary screening on Prime about Barry Sanders, a Heisman Trophy winner and NFL Hall-of-Fame honoree.  This football centric film covers the career of Sanders as a star running back for OK State and then for the Detroit Lions (1989-1999) is captivating regardless of one's interest in football.  The biopic features clips of an incredibly gifted athlete with remarkable accomplishments on the field and who proves endlessly fascinating off the field. Sports writers, famous Detroit celebs, NFL players and coaches marvel at his abilities and achievements.  Watching footage of Sanders maneuver past the defensemen you can't help but agree. Football sportscaster and former NFL player Dan Dierdorf said while watching Sanders elude tacklers, "There aren't enough adjectives to describe what Sanders does on the field.  Even God didn't know what he created when he made Barry Sanders."  Sanders smarts and agility on the football lead him within breaking all-time rushing records in h.s., college and the NFL.  The drive to play the game and win as a team was his motivation. Individual stats or honors were not his end-game.  When his h.s./college coaches gave him the opportunity for playtime to enhance his stats, he declined asking his teammates be allotted game-time.  This seemed to Detroit celebrities like Jeff Daniels and Time Allen.  Eminem said "He had to know how great he was but he never showed it."  Being labeled diffident was something Sanders disagreed with. In the few reluctant interviews Sanders gave, he objected to being labeled shy, "I'm not shy.  I prefer not to be put in the spotlight and want to be respected as the individual I am."  Lauded by his teammates for refusing special attention and credited for coalescing them, Sanders helped bring the Lions within a game of a Super Bowl spot.  He was unique and humble as a  player who always handed the football off to the refs and never engaged in showy moves in the end zone.  His character was made even more notable for having a father always clamoring for the limelight.  The contrasting of two such diametrically opposed  parent and child made Sanders' stoicism all the more beguiling.  The enigma of why Sanders would walk away still in the prime of his career seemed clear to me.  His passion for playing was waning and the team he helped gel was quelled by management's disruptive decision makings.  The paradox for me is why so many are puzzled by Barry's choice to leave an arena they perceive as the ultimate pinnacle of success.  I came away not merely astonished at how he performed in the NFL, but also enthralled by the paragon of authenticity and level headedness he portrayed. Sanders left incredible NFL stats and an indelible imprint on Detroit fans.  BYE BYE BARRY provides plenty to ponder whether or not football is your end all of pastimes.  Say, aye aye to watching BYE BYE BARRY.