“Bye Bye Barry” (2023) / Z-View
Bye Bye Barry (2023)
Director: Paul Monusky, Micaela Powers. Angela Torma
Stars: Barry Sanders, Tim Allen, Jeff Daniels, Eminem, Jemele Hill, Calvin Johnson, Dan Patrick, Rodney Peete, Jalen Rose, Emmitt Smith and Bill Belichick.
Tagline: The Greatest Mystery in Sports History.
The Plot…
Barry Sanders played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. In his junior year, Sanders rushed for 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns in just 11 games. He was a unanimous choice for the All American team and he won the Heisman Trophy.
The following year, Barry Sanders went into the NFL draft and was selected by the Detroit Lions. Sanders made an immediate impact and was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Barry Sanders went on to play ten years for Detroit. He led the league in rushing four times and in rushing touchdowns once. Barry Sanders was selected for the Pro Bowl every year that he played. He was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player (1997), the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year (1994, 1997), and led the league in rushing touchdowns (1991).
Barry Sanders had earned 15,269 rushing yards (the most ever by any NFL player in a 10-year span). He was just 1,457 rushing yards short of Walter Payton’s career rushing record. Fans everywhere knew that if Sanders had a healthy year, he would become the new NFL rushing king. But just one day before the Lions opened their training camp, Barry Sanders announced his retirement.
By a fax.
Barry Sanders was healthy and in the prime of his career. Yet, he walked away from his multimillion dollar contract and never looked back.
Why?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Barry Sanders is arguably the best running back to ever play the game. He was humble and cared more about the team than individual records. Although I’m a lifelong Chicago Bears fan, I always enjoyed watching Barry Sanders play. He was so good. And so likeable.
After watching Bye Bye Barry, I found reasons to admire him even more.
Bye Bye Barry (2023) earns 5 of 5 stars.