On Saturday afternoon, the Detroit Lions unveiled a well-deserved statue for beloved franchise icon Barry Sanders outside of Ford Field. On Sunday morning, Lions players were quick to follow through and pay tribute to the honor.
But for starters, the chosen pose for the statue could not have been more appropriate for the Hall of Fame running back. The Lions going with Sanders' signature change-of-course "juke move" where he often created something out of nothing might make for one of the better sports statues in recent memory.
A ?and his statue.@BarrySanders pic.twitter.com/SAUSIiA2Jo
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 17, 2023
As mentioned, the celebration didn't stop after Saturday's special moment for Sanders.
As players arrived at Ford Field on Sunday morning to prepare for the Seattle Seahawks, star players like Aidan Hutchinson and Amon-Ra St. Brown paid tribute to the legend in their own unique way.
Barry Day @aidanhutch97 ? @BarrySanders pic.twitter.com/YPrZUQvoH3
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 17, 2023
The smile on Hutchinson's face kind of says it all. But if we're being completely honest here, going with a true Barry Sanders throwback jersey would have been a truly top tier move. Nonetheless, the defensive beast clearly has an understanding of just how much No. 20 means to Lions fans of all ages. And really, that's probably all that matters.
Repping Pro Bowl @BarrySanders@amonra_stbrown pic.twitter.com/k2crcKJ8Gd
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 17, 2023
Then there was Amon-Ra St. Brown, who strolled in with a Barry Sanders NFC Pro Bowl jersey. Can't help but respect such an awesome and unexpected outside-the-box move. The star receiver really thought this one through and appears ready to make "Barry Day" a memorable one. Perhaps a prayer for the Seahawks secondary is in order?
Honoring the legend pic.twitter.com/3PXcdJUhz7
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 17, 2023
While safety Ifeatu Melifonwu is by no means a star player for the Lions, he seems to have come out the winner thus far. You just can't argue with a hoodie — possibly custom made — that features Sanders face and number all over the place. Feels like an instant classic and something that fans will be looking to procure for themselves.
Finally, if you didn't think it was possible to love Barry Sanders anymore than the collective NFL world already does, take a gander at his quote from Saturday's statue unveiling.
"If I could, I would go out to each and every Lions fan, give you a hug and tell you how much I appreciate you."
Unbelievable.
Barry Sanders, a living legend still somehow finding a way to touch the hearts of Lions fans on a deeper level.
