Barry Sanders Is Excited About The Lions—And Heart Health

Detroit Lions lifer Barry Sanders is considered one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. Over a decade playing for the Detroit Lions (1989-1998), the 10-time Pro Bowler led the NFL in rushing yards four times, while also ushering his team to the postseason five times.

Sanders finished his NFL career with a rushing total of 15,269 yards and sits in fourth place on the NFL’s list of All-Time Rushing Yards Leaders. Sanders was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.

Since retirement, Sanders and his family have lived in the Detroit area and have been avid supporters of the Detroit Lions, now one of the league’s best teams.

Yet, Sanders said that in mid-2024, during a college visit to the University of Toledo with his youngest son, Noah, a health scare changed his outlook on life.

“It was a year ago, and I was ready to go on a recruiting trip with my son,” Sanders said during our Zoom interview a week ago. “That day I woke and had this heartburn type of feeling in my chest.”

Sanders said he continued his morning, trying to shake off the feeling and enjoy the day, adding, “I wasn’t sure what it possibly could be. I hadn’t bumped anything or exercised yet that morning. I was just, like, man, what is this?”

That day, Sanders was set to tour the campus and facilities at the University of Toledo. Noah Sanders graduated from Birmingham Groves High School this month and is committed to playing football for the Toledo Rockets, starting this fall.

“Since the school is just an hour away, I sent my son to campus and said, ”I’m going to drive home. I’m just not feeling good.” After getting back home to Michigan in the early afternoon, Sanders wrestled with the idea of stopping into the hospital as a precaution.

“It didn’t go away, but it didn’t worsen,” Sanders said about the discomfort. “I didn’t want to, but I figured—let me just drive to the emergency room.”

Once Sanders was at the hospital, he said no particular alarm bells went off. Yet, after conducting some routine tests and checking his vitals, the doctors performed a cardiac catheterization test, which involves injecting a special dye into the coronary arteries, followed by an X-ray to assess normal blood flow through the vessels or potential blockages.

“They did tests. Blood pressure was fine. Heart rate was fine. But then, later, they looked my my enzymes, and said my enzyme count was high,” Sanders said.

Cardiac enzyme tests, also known as biomarker tests, measure proteins released into the bloodstream when the heart muscle is damaged. Such tests can indicate potential heart conditions, such as inflammation of heart muscles, or even a heart attack.

And shortly after more analysis, doctors had notified Sanders that he had, indeed, had a heart attack.

“It took me a second—like, wow, are you serious?” Sanders said.

Taken aback by a heart attack

Since that episode on Father’s Day weekend last year, Sanders said that he’s taken the opportunity to learn more about his condition as well as make changes.

“I still exercise and always have,” Sanders said. “But now, I watch what I eat, and eat less. I definitely go on more walks, and listen to what my doctors tell me.”

But Sanders, 56, decided not only to focus on his own health, but to go a step further. He said that shortly after his heart attack, he had heard that pharmaceutical company Amgen had been working on a television documentary about the very health concern Sanders face.

VIDEO: Hall of Famer Barry Sanders narrates “The Making of a Heart Attack.”

“I learned Amgen was doing a documentary called The Making of a Heart Attack,” Sanders said, “I decided I wanted to be a part of it, and learn everyone else’s story, and tell my story.”

The Making of a Heart Attack first aired on A&E, Saturday, June 14, 2025. The documentary explores the specifics of heart disease, the world’s most widespread and costly health threat, affecting people all over the world. The film features real patient stories to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease and the role LDL-C, or “bad” cholesterol, can play in heart attacks and strokes.

Related story: Mike Greenberg says taking care of your heart is huge

The documentary is also currently screening at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, in Cannes, France, until June 26.

Dr. Sara Collins, an interventional cardiologist based in Maryland, discussed the dangers of high cholesterol, particularly when combined with infrequent monitoring of everyday health risks.

“One of the most important messages from Barry’s journey is that cardiovascular risk isn’t always obvious,” Dr. Collins said. “High LDL-C can exist without symptoms, which is why regular cholesterol testing and personalized lifestyle management and treatment are essential for preventing another heart event, no matter how healthy you feel.”

She explained that people, especially those above the age of 40, should not assume they are 100% healthy merely because they have never experienced symptoms.

“Even after a first event, it’s critical to know your LDL-C number and work with your doctor to ensure it’s at an appropriate level, because the risk doesn’t stop with recovery. Proactive management can be lifesaving.”

“It’s important to have conversations about heart health,” Sanders added, also saying, “I hope (the documentary) will help a lot of people.”

The Sanders-narrated documentary can be viewed for free at any time online.

Lions lifer and big fan

Sanders’ favorite ball club, the Detroit Lions, has been on a tear the last few years. Last season, the Lions, led by head coach Dan Campbell, logged a 15-2 regular season record, the NFC’s best. And although the Lions came up short in the postseason, after a 45-31 Divisional Playoff loss to Washington, Sanders calls them one of the NFL’s best teams.

“It’s been great to follow them, and to see what Ford Field has become within our division, and the NFL. It’s not a place where people can take it for granted that they are going to get a win,” Sanders said.

Last season, Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, tackle Penei Sewell, and punter Jack Fox went All-Pro, as the Lions led the NFC in offense, boasting an average of 409.5 yards per game and 4,474 total passing yards.

The Lions’ defense also allowed only 20.1 yards per game by opponents, the fourth-best in the conference. Quarterback Jared Goff was also short-listed for the league’s MVP Award.

“Everyone knows that now if you are playing the Lions, you’re playing one of the toughest teams.”

Sanders also points out that after a decade of missing the playoffs from 2002-2010, followed by another postseason drought from 2017-2022, Lions fans are not only resilient but some of the NFL’s most enthusiastic fans.

“It’s not uncommon for Lions fans, even when they’re not at Ford Field, to take over the stadium. There’s a feeling that is electric about the team. It’s great to see.”

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Read Frye’s recent interviews with Mike Greenberg and Deion Sanders.