Shortly after the end of last season, I felt that I probably would not return for the 1999-2000 season. I also felt that I should take as much time as possible to sort through my feelings and make sure that my feelings were backed with conviction. Barry Sanders More Quotes by Barry Sanders More Quotes From Barry Sanders I just felt like I had run out of steam. I just felt like it was my time. Barry Sanders steam my-time running I don't know the right way to retire. Barry Sanders right-way retiring way Let's just win it and go home. Barry Sanders nfl winning home If I could start with anybody, I would initially draft Tom Brady. Then I would go get Ray Lewis, and then maybe an offensive lineman, or somebody like Adrian Peterson. Barry Sanders lineman offensive rays According to the United Nations' latest count, of the approximately 3,000 languages spoken in the world today, only some 78 have a literature. Of those 78, a scant five or six enjoy a truly international audience. Barry Sanders literature today world Nothing ever turns out the way people expect it to. Barry Sanders turns people way I want to thank all of the fans and media who made playing in the NFL such a wonderful experience. I have had the pleasure of meeting many of them. Barry Sanders nfl media football As a kid, I played my share of football in the street or in a vacant lot. When we were playing in the street, it was more touch football, so we didn't hit each other into cars. Barry Sanders car football kids I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do in school, but I definitely didn't have adequate time to reach my full potential as a student. Barry Sanders full-potential adequate school It's probably similar to being in New York City and having a cab driver behind you and you're driving too slow. It's not the most pleasant thing. Barry Sanders cities new-york football A lot of times I did lose yards on a run, but it wasn't for lack of trying. Barry Sanders nfl running trying Christianity affects your whole life. I feel I'm more competitive, a better player, but off the field is where there is always a battle. Barry Sanders battle player christian You can look at everything from pre-Heisman to post-Heisman, and I think that’s why it ranks up at the top, because before then, I didn’t even think I was good enough to be a professional ballplayer. Barry Sanders good-enough looks thinking I really love peace and quiet. Barry Sanders peace-and-quiet nfl quiet I wish my teammates, coaches and the entire Lions organization all the best. Barry Sanders lions organization wish Running back was always my favorite position. Barry Sanders nfl my-favorite running It was a wonderful experience to play in the NFL, and I have no regrets. I truly will miss playing for the Lions. I consider the Lions' players, coaches, staff, management and fans my family. I leave on good terms with everyone in the organization. Barry Sanders regret player sports I sat behind Thurman Thomas for my first couple of years, then my first year starting I won the Heisman. After I won the Heisman, that’s when things changed as far as going to the NFL. Barry Sanders nfl couple years Individual goals never meant that much to me. The Heisman is no exception. Barry Sanders individual-goals individual goal As a kid, I played my share of football in the street or in a vacant lot. Barry Sanders nfl football kids