As Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” blared through the Ford Field sound system during the Detroit Lions’ home opener on September 14, the crowd of 64,201 erupted when the legendary rapper appeared on the video boards. Seated in a suite, the 15-time Grammy winner gestured to his left, and the roar intensified as the camera revealed another Detroit icon beside him: Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders.
Eminem wrapped an arm around his childhood hero as the two legends urged the stadium to its feet. On the field below, running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery took notice, channeling the energy into a dominant performance. The duo combined for 151 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a 52-21 demolition of the Chicago Bears.
“Every time he’s at the game, I just want to show out,” said Gibbs, who rushed for 94 yards that day. “That’s Barry Sanders. I try to make sure I’m on point.”
Though Sanders’ playing days are long past, his presence serves as a powerful motivator for Detroit’s current backfield. The 57-year-old, who survived a heart attack in the summer of 2024, has built relationships with both Gibbs and Montgomery since they joined the Lions in 2023. As Detroit prepares for its “Monday Night Football” matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, his legacy provides the standard they strive to meet.
“It allows us to realize the standard we have to live up to, just knowing that Barry walked the same grounds that we walk,” Montgomery explained. “It’s only right for us to respect him by paying homage, by running with the kind of authority that he ran with.”
The bond was forged the moment Gibbs arrived in Detroit as the 12th pick in the 2023 NFL draft. Sanders was among the franchise legends waiting to greet him, and the two shared a car ride to the team’s facility. Gibbs, who wore No. 20 in middle school in honor of Sanders and studied his highlights on YouTube, was admittedly “starstruck.” Since that initial conversation, the two have maintained a close connection.
“He just says, ‘Go kill ’em.’ That’s all he needs to say,” Gibbs shared. “I’m already self-motivated, but when he says those words, I appreciate it.”
Montgomery, who also grew up admiring Sanders’ game, connected with the Hall of Famer shortly after signing as a free agent in March 2023. Though he prefers to keep their conversations private, Montgomery confirmed Sanders’ profound impact, saying, “He’s definitely shared some information with me that I hold close to my heart.”
Now a team ambassador, Sanders is more involved with the organization than at any time since his abrupt retirement in 1999. Gibbs and Montgomery have witnessed the unveiling of his bronze statue outside Ford Field and attended the premiere of his documentary, “Bye Bye Barry,” gaining a deeper appreciation for his historic career.
“That made me just want to work harder,” Montgomery said. “I want to do as much as I can to even be like a morsel as good as he was.”
Sanders’ renewed presence carries even greater weight following a life-altering health scare on Father’s Day weekend in 2024. After experiencing a persistent burning sensation in his chest, he drove himself to the hospital, where doctors informed him he had suffered a heart attack due to high LDL cholesterol. After a three-day stay, Sanders began a new regimen of diet, exercise, and medication.
The usually private Sanders has since opened up about his health, participating in the documentary “The Making of a Heart Attack” to raise awareness about cardiovascular health. The news shocked the Lions organization, but Montgomery expressed confidence in the legend’s resilience. “He’s a fighter, so I wasn’t too much worried about how he was going to recover.”
That inspiration, fueled by a legend’s mentorship and resilience, is translating into historic production on the field. In 2024, Gibbs and Montgomery helped the Lions average 146.4 rushing yards per game, the team’s best mark since Sanders led them to 154.0 in 1997. The pair has also scored a touchdown in the same game 14 times, tying them with the Dallas Cowboys’ Emmitt Smith and Daryl Johnston for the most by running back teammates in the Super Bowl era.
Entering Week 7, both are on pace to surpass 1,000 rushing yards this season. From the sidelines of a joint practice in August, Sanders watched his protégés with admiration. “David Montgomery runs tough and just fits perfectly with this offensive line,” he said. “When you see [Gibbs] on the field, you see how much faster he is, the suddenness in his game. I’m excited to see what he does this year.”
Despite their accomplishments, Gibbs and Montgomery remain focused on the responsibility of carrying Sanders’ legacy.
“It feels good,” Gibbs said. “Since we’ve both got here, we’ve been talking about making history and making a difference, and that’s what we plan on doing.”
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