Total Pro Sports
Barry Sanders stunned the football world last year when he announced he had suffered a health issue, leaving fans concerned and curious. Now, the NFL icon is opening up with the full story, turns out, the problem was far more serious than anyone expected.
In a recent sit-down with CBS Sports, the Detroit Lions legend revealed he suffered a heart attack while on a recruiting visit with his son. At the time, he brushed off the discomfort as simple heartburn.
“I couldn’t believe it, honestly,” Sanders admitted. “I thought it was like heartburn, but it just kind of persisted.”
Sanders, now 56, said the possibility of a heart attack never even crossed his mind. “Of all things, I don’t know why, that just never entered my mind,” he told CBS. The Hall of Famer added that the experience has become a wake-up call, pushing him to learn more about heart health. He now appears in a new television special that aims to raise awareness.
“It’s been an education for me,” Sanders said***. “I’m learning through this process that there aren’t necessarily any warning signs, unless you do what we’re encouraging people to do—go to the doctor, get tested for LDLC levels, or bad cholesterol.”***
He stressed that physical appearance doesn’t always indicate heart health. “You don’t have to fit a certain physical profile. It’s not something you’re going to be able to feel,” he explained. Sanders hopes the documentary will serve as a wake-up call for others, sharing that he found the stories of fellow participants both powerful and eye-opening. “It’s just really amazing. I think it will get a lot of people’s attention,” he added.
Fans still admire Barry Sanders in the football world. The former Detroit Lions running back earned respect with his quiet demeanor and unmatched agility. He still holds the NCAA single-season rushing record and retired just before breaking the NFL’s all-time rushing mark. Though he never captured a Super Bowl title.
Now healthy and focused on the future, Sanders is using his story to push for prevention, education, and more honest conversations about heart health.
Also Read: NFL Hall Of Fame RB Barry Sanders Suffered A Heart Attack
