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Eric Woodyard
DETROIT — As Eminem’s «Lose Yourself» resonates through the Ford Field sound system, 64,201 fans erupt in excitement when the iconic rapper is shown on the giant video boards behind each end zone during the latter part of the second quarter of the Detroit Lions’ home opener on September 14.
Seated in a suite and donning a gray Lions playoff cap, the 15-time Grammy Award winner briefly salutes the audience before swiftly gesturing towards his left. As the camera captures the scene, the cheers intensify when it reveals another Detroit icon — Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders — sitting next to him.
Eminem affectionately places his left arm around Sanders, his childhood idol. The duo turns to the camera, clapping and enthusiastically shouting «let’s go» to energize the ecstatic crowd.
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Once the game resumes, Lions running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, inspired by Sanders’ presence at the stadium, re-engage in the Week 2 rout of the Chicago Bears, totaling 151 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a dominating 52-21 victory.
«Whenever he’s at the game, I aim to show out,» Gibbs, who ran for 94 yards against Chicago, remarked to ESPN. «I mean, that’s Barry Sanders. So, I strive to be at my best every time he’s watching.»
At 57 years old, Sanders has left his playing days behind, yet Gibbs and Montgomery still look to Sanders’ illustrious Hall of Fame career for inspiration. Following a heart attack in the summer of 2024, Sanders has fostered relationships with both players since their arrival with the Lions in spring 2023. They assert that his increased involvement with the team serves as a continuous reminder of the high standards he established in the Lions’ backfield — standards they are eager to uphold as Detroit readies for its «Monday Night Football» clash against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN).
«For us, it helps highlight the standard we need to meet, just knowing that Barry walked the same ground we do,» Montgomery told ESPN. «We need to honor him by running with the kind of authority he exhibited.»
In «The Making of a Heart Attack» documentary, Sanders shared his own experience alongside four others. He has also actively supported cardiovascular health by sharing his story on various panels and raising awareness about lower LDL cholesterol.
«I was unaware that I was susceptible to something like this, and it felt as if it emerged unexpectedly, which is usually not the case,» Sanders expressed. «It develops over time, which is why it’s crucial to know your health status, and the only way to achieve that is by consulting your doctor.»
On the sidelines with the Miami Dolphins, Sanders, holding an icy water bottle, observes intently as his protégés take reps during red zone drills.
«You can see they’re discovering running lanes during practice,» Sanders conveyed to ESPN. «They’re running hard. David Montgomery runs tough, fitting seamlessly with this physical offensive line that creates those gaps.»
Since teaming up in 2023, Gibbs and Montgomery have consistently located running lanes. Last season, they helped the Lions achieve an average of 146.4 rushing yards per game, the highest for the team since 1997 when the Sanders-led Lions recorded an average of 154.0 rushing yards. Gibbs, who finished third in all-purpose yards last season (1,929), and Montgomery have scored in the same game on 14 occasions since becoming teammates. Against Tampa Bay, they will have the chance to break a tie with Emmitt Smith and Daryl Johnston of the Cowboys for the most touchdowns by a running back duo in the Super Bowl era (since 1966).
Sanders anticipates a standout season for Detroit’s running backs.
As they approach Week 7, both players are on track to surpass 1,000 rushing yards. Gibbs leads the team with 390 rushing yards (12th in the NFL) and four touchdowns, while Montgomery follows closely with 334 yards (21st) and four scores.
«I’m pleased with what I’m observing,» Sanders stated, focusing on Gibbs’ potential. «… His speed, suddenness on the field, and ability to excel in open space are impressive. I think last year marked his breakout, and I’m eager to see how he performs this year.»
Despite their achievements, Gibbs and Montgomery recognize the stakes are higher. They are aware that Sanders is watching, and they do not take lightly the responsibility of maintaining his legacy.
«It feels rewarding,» Gibbs noted. «Since our arrival, we’ve discussed making history and creating an impact, and that’s our goal moving forward.»
