Lions Hall of Famer Barry Sanders

Detroit Lions Barry Sanders sits dejected in a cloud of mist from the cooldown machines on the sidelines during a game at Tampa Bay, November 22, 1998.

(from left) Four Detroit sports icons meet on the field at old Tiger Stadium, when Joe Dumars, Steve Yzerman and Barry Sanders dropped in on Cecil Fielder during batting practice, September 13, 1990.

Barry Sanders was on the last Detroit Lions team to win a division title, in 1993-94, and had a memorable game, with 187 yards in a Week 10 victory, a 23-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that helped the Lions move to 7-2.

Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders avoids a tackle from David Rocker of the Los Angeles Rams for a four-yard run in the second quarter in Anaheim, California on Oct. 24, 1993. Sanders ran for 91-yards on 21 carries to help his team defeat the Rams 16-13.

Detroit running back Barry Sanders leaps over a fellow Lion during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida on October 2, 1994.

Detroit Running Back Barry Sanders carries the ball and tries to avoid Washington Redskin Marc Boutte during a game at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C., October 22, 1995.

(from left) Detroit running back Barry Sanders avoids a tackle by Chicago’s Joe Cain, Jim Flanigan, and Mark Carrier during a game at Soldier Field, November 19, 1995.

Chicago Bears linebacker Barry Minter lunges in an attempt to tackle Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders as he turns upfield in the second quarter, November 19, 1995, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.

Detroit Running back Barry Sanders carries the football during the Lions 26-15 win over the Green Bay Packers at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, September 28, 1997.

Detroit Running back Barry Sanders carries the football during the Lions 26-15 win over the Green Bay Packers at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, September 28, 1997.

Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders is stopped by Derrick Brooks of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 28, 1997 during their NFC Wild Card playoff game at Houlihan Stadium in Tampa, FL. The Bucs won the game 20-10.

Running back Barry Sanders of the Detroit Lions looks on during the pre-season game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, August 14, 1998.. The Falcons defeated the Lions 7-3.

Running back Barry Sanders of the Detroit Lions in action during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, November 26, 1998. The Lions defeated the Steelers 19-16.

6 Dec 1998: Barry Sanders of the Detroit Lions carries the ball during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, December 6, 1998. The Jaguars defeated the Lions 37-22.

People wait for a bus in front of a giant mural of Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders in downtown Detroit, MI, 28 July, 1999. Barry Sanders announced 28 July his decision to retire from the NFL. Sanders needed 1,458 rushing yards this season to break Walter Payton's record to become the NFL's all-time leading rusher.

Detroit Lions Barry Sanders eludes Green Bay Packer defenders at Lambeau Field, September 6, 1998.

Detroit Lion Barry Sanders runs during a loss to Baltimore, December 27, 1998.

Barry Sanders and his father William hang out together on the sidelines during a game against the Indianapolis Colts, November 23, 1997.

Barry Sanders breaks through the grasp of Chicago Bears defensemen Steve McMichael (left) and Richard Dent, December 10, 1989 at Soldier Field. Sanders rushed for 120 yards in the Lions' 27-17 victory.

Former Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders give his speech after his induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio August 8, 2004. Sanders rushed for more than 1,000 yards in his ten NFL seasons with the Lions, and walked away from the game in 1999 at the age of 31.

Former Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders speaks about his career and the Super Bowl during a press conference, February 1, 2006, with Kansas City Chiefs Michael Strhan, San Diego Chargers Tony Gonzalez, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Antonio Gatres.

Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders of the NFC Team stands on the sidelines during the NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on February 5, 1995 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The AFC defeated the NFC 41-13.

Detroit Lions owner William Clay Ford Sr., left, talks with former Lions running back Barry Sanders before the start of an NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007.

Former Detroit Lions Barry Sanders, left, and Charlie Sanders hang out before a Monday night game between the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, October 10, 2011.

Former Detroit Lions and football hall of fame inductee Barry Sanders cast his hand prints and signature in cement during a ceremony at the Detroit Historical Museum, August 1, 2012.

Ezekiel Ansah of the BYU Cougars stands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (L) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Barry Sanders (R) as they hold up a jersey on stage after Ansah was picked #5 overall by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 25, 2013 in New York City.

Former Lions running back Barry Sanders chatted, played Four Square, jumped rope and had lunch with local grade school children at Eastern Market in Detroit, on October 15, 2013.

Detroit Lions alumni running back Billy Sims, left, and Barry Sanders, who both wore the number 20, are recognized on the field during half-time during a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Ford Field in Detroit, October 27, 2013.

Detroit Lions NFL Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders chats with NFL Hall of Fame tight end Charlie Sanders on the bench before a game against the New York Giants at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on September 8, 2014.

(from left) Detroit Lions NFL Hall of Famers running back Barry Sanders, defensive back Lem Barney and linebacker and head coach Joe Schmidt show off their Rings of Excellence after a halftime ceremony during a game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field in Detroit on Oct. 18, 2015.