My Take On The Barry Sanders Doc Bye Bye Barry – Meltdown
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 18: Barry Sanders during the Pro Football Hall of Fame half time show during the Chicago Bears v Detroit Lions game at Ford Field on October 18, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Well, I finally had a chance to finish watching the new documentary, Bye Bye Barry. Man, it brought back a lot of memories and emotions.
Let me start by telling you that I had just come to Detroit smack-dab in the middle of the 1995 football season. November 1st to be exact. I was learning about the city, the sports teams, the people, all of it. But there was one thing I didn’t have to learn too much about, and that was Barry Sanders. I was a fan when I arrived. So much so, that I got tickets to a game just so years later I could say that I saw him play live. He WAS the game.
There were many things I liked about Bye Bye BARRY. One was the Fox Theater. A lot of Barry’s speaking takes place on the stage of the famed venue. That place is UNREAL! They even give you a little background and show the famous wall where many acts signed their autograph.
Secondly, is that it spoke to the dad in me. Watching Barry’s dad talk about his son was something I can relate to. Maybe not as much as him, since I only have one, but the overall philosophy of sports and why we play them. He was trying to build a man, not so much a legend, like he did.
And thirdly, watching one of the greatest running backs ever do what he did. He was unpredictable, explosive, a team player, everything you’d want in a teammate. I liked, and still do, how he would bust out a big play, or score, and there were no absurd choreographed dances or anything like that. To quote Jeff Daniels, he acted like he’d been there before.
Oh, and let’s not forget the famous Detroiters past and present sprinkled throughout the show. It was great to see my friend, Jamie Sameulson for a brief moment. Tom Kowalski was another dearly missed sports voice as well. Plus, Eminem, Tim Allen, some of Barry’s former teammates, and more.
I know, people were pissed when he walked away. I get it, I was too. It’s like we felt robbed of watching one of the greats. I won’t give it away, but Barry answers the question as to why he left, in a very Barry way, surrounded by his sons.
This probably doesn’t need to be said, but if you’re a Lions fan, Barry fan, or just a sports fan, this is a must-see documentary. Believe it or not, I’ve never met Barry….one day!
-Meltdown-
That’s it, a GREAT weekend with Metallica in the books! Barry approves!
Dan Campbell Dishes on the Detroit Lions' Unbelievable Comeback
The Detroit Lions pulled off an unbelievable comeback on Sunday (Nov. 19) up against the Chicago Bears. It was a game they were expected to win. But, with Bears quarterback Justin Fields back for the first time in four games, it was tougher than thought. Fields was out for blood. Not only was it his first time back on the field in more than month, but he’s fighting to prove he’s the right guy for the Bears in the long term.
But, Fields wasn’t the only one fighting. Detroit Lions’ David Montgomery was traded from the Bears last season, and he made sure to prove that the Bears should have known the gem that they had and not let him go. In the end, a sturdy Jared Goff and David Montgomery pulled off a raging winning touchdown. Then, when the Bears got the ball back with less than 30 seconds on the clock, Aiden Hutchinson helped sack Fields, which ended up turning into a fumble and a 2-point gain for the Lions.
This is one of the most exciting games I’ve ever seen, but I’m staying that a lot this season. As a lifelong Lions fan, I’m not used to this level of electricity. I personally love how cool Goff kept things, even after his interception throws. Even with less than 3 minutes on the clock and the Lions needing two touchdowns to win, Goff was calm and confident. And that translated into a win.
After the game, coach Dan Campbell had lots of good things to say about Goff and the team. “It speaks volumes (about Goff),” Campbell stated. “He didn’t have his best game, but really when you needed him the most in a two-minute drive at the end of the half, that was pretty big.”
Check out Campbell and Goff’s remarks below. Also, let’s do football together. Listen to my NFL podcast “The Squad with Anne Erickson” below, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Dan Campbell Dishes on the Detroit Lions’ Unbelievable Comeback
Meltdown started on the mighty WRIF on the evening of Halloween, 1995. Technically, his first on-air shift was the morning of November 1st. Moving to the Motor City from Buffalo, N.Y., he has built a career and family. Over his almost three-decade stint at RIFF, he's had the privilege to work with some of the biggest personalities in Detroit radio history. He boasts of being just the second-afternoon drive jock in the station's illustrious 53-year history.
Along with his love for rock music and attending concerts, he's also an avid Harley-Davidson enthusiast and hockey player. He plays year-round and manages to squeeze in a few charity games throughout the year. Meltdown writes about the Detroit Red Wings, rock music, and Detroit concert venues.
