The corner of Montcalm and Brush Streets in the center of downtown Detroit is now graced by an 8-foot bronze statue depicting one of the best players in NFL history in motion.
In a private ceremony on Saturday, the Detroit Lions honored Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders with a monument outside of Ford Field on the eve of their home opener against the Seattle Seahawks.
Sanders is the first athlete to earn the honor in the history of the team, and the humble star was touched by the organization’s kindness. Sanders said during the ceremony
“You heard the saying that you give a person their flowers while they’re around,”
“I don’t plan on going anywhere any time soon, I’m just saying that saying … but if this statue could be used with that analogy, then I would have to say this is one heck of a bouquet for me, so thanks a lot. I appreciate it.”
It’s official! Here’s your first look at the 8-foot bronze statue of #Lions great Barry Sanders — one of the greatest players in NFL history. He is the 1st Lions player to receive a statue. pic.twitter.com/utDAksffbk
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) September 16, 2023
Sanders loves his statue and the little details that go into it
Artists Omri Amrany and Lou Cella of Fine Art Studio Rotblatt Amrany created the monument. Along with numerous other bronze statues of sports legends, their Illinois-based company also produced the Michael Jordan statue inside Chicago’s United Centre and the Magic Johnson statue outside of Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena.
Sanders loved the finer points of the statue of himself, in which he is shown pulling off one of his trademark juke moves on a defender. Sanders said
“Little things like the cut-off gloves that I wore and obviously the very alert eyes,”
“I haven’t had a chance to really soak it in, but those were some of the things I noticed and obviously sort of the pose is like I’m in action.”
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, ex-Lions coach Wayne Fontes, hip-hop legend Flavour Flav, Hall of Fame wide receiver Calvin Johnson, Lions owner Sheila Hamp, general manager Brad Holmes, as well as loved ones, friends, past teammates, and coaches, were all present at the ceremony. Season ticket holders from Sanders’ playing days attended the ceremony with him.
A big screen was used to display a tribute video that featured Sanders’ life story, career highlights, and messages of support from athletes including Jerry Rice, Peyton Manning, Emmitt Smith, and Joe Dumars.
