Man of mystery

Sporting News, The, August 9, 1999 by Paul Attner

But the Super Bowl remains a far-fetched dream for the Lions (they have produced a 78-82 regular-season record during the Sanders era), and after so many carries and so many losses, Sanders' zest to compete is gone. He talked last year of being torn between wanting to continue to play and looking forward to retirement. "I can't wait to retire," he said then. "I mean, you can't walk around like you think the notoriety you have will follow you to your grave." During this offseason, the lure of freedom from football won out.

Remember what Nolan Ryan said during his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame a couple of weeks ago? He said it took him two years to adjust to retirement, to find a life after baseball. Sanders won't have that problem. He already is the majority owner of a bank in Oklahoma and is intrigued by the intricacies of succeeding in business. He has an active mind, a keen interest in history, an opinion on every current event. Wherever he goes, he carries a notebook so he can write down words he doesn't understand; later, he looks up their definitions. He plays chess against a computer and Jeopardy against competitors on television. He never has been exactly sure what he would do alter football, but he never fretted that he would have difficulty occupying his days.

Now, he will have every chance to see if he is right about life after football. Lions vice chairman William Clay Ford Jr. already has asked Sanders' father to arrange a meeting with Barry to discuss the future. When they do talk, expect Barry to tell Ford he needs time. It is a request the Lions have no choice but to honor.

Senior writer Paul Attner covers the NFL for THE SPORTING NEWS.