BARRY SANDERS

FLINT – It’s doubtful any high school football coach in the Flint area has spent more of his lifetime around the game than Holly’s Billy Keenist Jr.For as long as he can remember, Keenist has been around football. “I went to my first Lions game – I actually still have the ticket stub – when I was two months old. “I grew up going to the Silverdome, going to games. Zorn was an NFL quarterback for 11 seasons before serving as the Lions’ quarterbacks coach from 1998-2000. MORE:2022 football schedules for Flint-area teamsWho is your pick to win the Metro League football title?

On Sunday (Feb. 13), there will be a very cool local connection to the Super Bowl as two St. Clair Shores natives and lifelong friends will be part of the color guard presenting flags at the game.

We got a behind the scenes perspective from familiar Detroit faces

Lomas Brown and Barry Sanders joined us to discuss the Big Game and how Matthew Stafford factors into it.

He might play for the Los Angeles Rams now, but Matthew Stafford’s 12 seasons with the Detroit Lions left him with many fans here in Detroit.

The Detroit Lions won their last playoff game a little more than 30 years ago. That day, Lomas Brown held things down at left tackle against the Dallas Cowboys. Topics covered:-- Kyle and Ben get us started, taking on the hot topic of Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC title game. Are you actually surprised Matthew Stafford is doing so well this year? -- We welcome the legendary Lomas Brown to the Dungeon.

ALLEN PARK -- Dan Campbell arrived in Detroit touting the return of the running game. Said he wanted to run the football, but never finished better than 26th in yards per carry. The Detroit Lions are averaging 4.6 yards per carry this season, which ranks seventh in the league. “I feel like when we can run the football for four quarters, we run the football on anyone,” offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn said. In another very bad year for Detroit, the growing competency in the running game stands out as one of the year’s most encouraging developments.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions are on the road for their second preseason game, drawing the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first of two trips to the Steel City this year. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.comD’Andre Swift was back on the field this past week, but isn’t expected to play in Pittsburgh. Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell looks on during their NFL preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field in Detroit, on Friday, August 13, 2021. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.comD’Andre Swift, T.J. Hockenson not expected to play against Steelers; Jared Goff might not eitherOn that note, T.J. Hockenson, Jared Goff and several other veterans are expected to sit or have their roles diminished in Pittsburgh. Detroit Lions sign ex-Patriots OLB Rashod BerryThe Lions added an intriguing prospect after clearing some roster space in outside linebacker Rashod Berry.

Legendary running back Barry Sanders, who now serves as an ambassador for the Detroit Lions, announced Friday he has tested positive for COVID-19.

“Despite being double vaccinated, wearing a mask, and taking all the precautions I could... I tested positive for COVID,” Sanders tweeted. We’ll see you soon.”Sanders, the NFL’s fourth all-time leading rusher, has made regular appearances at Lions games in previous years. He’s an official ambassador of the franchise, for those wondering what he means by “ready to go” for the season opener. The entire Detroit Lions coaching staff has been vaccinated, with at least 90% of players joining them.

Calvin Johnson is simply in awe that he will soon join Jim Brown and Gale Sayers as Pro Football Hall of Famers inducted at the age of 35 years old or younger.

Barry Sanders has been retired for more than two decades, but the former Detroit Lions running back still carries plenty of cachet in the NFL. A game-used and autographed jersey the Hall of Famer wore Oct. 14, 1990 in a road game against the Kansas City Chiefs was sold for $55,152 at Grey Flannel Auctions on Saturday night. 20, scintillated in the NFL from 1989 to 1998, finishing with 15,269 rushing yards, which ranks fourth in NFL history. The auctioned game-used road white jersey was from a 225-yard performance against the Chiefs. He totaled 90 yards on the ground and had 135 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a 43-24 loss.

The Rocket Mortgage Classic announced it is bringing back one of its marquee special events this year as the AREA 313 Celebrity Scramble returns to the Detroit Golf Club at the end of June. Detroit Lions legend Barry Sanders, Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo and 11-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald are among the celebrity names participating in this year’s AREA 313 Celebrity Scramble. Multiple long-drive champion Maurice Allen and 14-time LPGA winner Lexi Thompson will also be among the celebrities in the scramble. The only way fans can secure tickets to the AREA 313 Celebrity Scramble is by pledging $313 or more to the “Faces of AREA 313 Presented by Priority Health” program. Each team in the AREA 313 Celebrity Scramble will also include a participant from The John Shippen National Invitational and a sponsor representative.

Calvin Johnson is officially a first-ballot member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, joining the star-studded class of 2021. He’s a former six-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro and member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2010s. Lions great Barry Sanders welcomed Johnson to the Hall of Fame in a video, which showcased David Baker surprising the receiver with word of his induction. Calvin Johnson is now a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Related: Calvin Johnson opens up on rift with Lions: ‘It straight up stung’Johnson is now the 22nd former Lions player to make the Hall of Fame.

It seemed even fewer showed up to do their shows at socially distanced tables at the Super Bowl Media Center inside the Tampa Convention Center. “We still had live guests, including live guests from the Chiefs and Buccaneers. “Radio Row is a spectacle every year that has a buzz and excitement for media, athletes and sponsors,” Onaindia said. One of the benefits of Radio Row is the organic networking that happens between everyone in attendance. We all missed that this year.”The idea of Radio Row at the Super Bowl originated in 1992 in Minneapolis when New York’s WFAN broadcast on-site from a local hotel.

ALLEN PARK -- Barry Sanders ran for a lot of yards in his 10 seasons with the Detroit Lions. “Oh, I was wowed man,” Sanders said during a Zoom call on Tuesday. We’re really turning the page, and I guess we’re really writing a new chapter -- starting a whole new book, basically. But yeah, I mean, Coach Campbell has been around the game, he’s been around successful organizations and successful personalities within this game, where you understand the building blocks to success. Obviously, he still has a great passion for the game, he loves Lions football, he’s a good man.

ALLEN PARK -- Chris Spielman, the new assistant to Detroit Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp and team president Rod Wood, will address reporters for the first time Tuesday afternoon. Hit refresh to keep up:-- Rod Wood opening the press conference“Initially, he’ll be incredibly involved in our coaching and GM search,” Wood says. Spielman, sitting in front of an old Detroit Lions helmet from the 1990s, says he feels completely in synch with Wood and Ford Hamp. But, I do know this business and how this works.”Says it doesn’t hurt to have a brother in this phase of the business -- Minnesota Vikings general manager Spielman. Felt it was important to bring him in before the coach and GM search went deeper.

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 28: Former Detroit Lions Barry Sanders talks with Head Coach Matt Patricia prior to the start of the game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on November 28, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)DETROIT – The Detroit Lions announced Tuesday that Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders will serve as an advisor and participate in interviews for the team’s general manager and head coach search. Spielman will report directly to President and CEO Rod Wood and participate in interviews for the team’s general manager and head coach search. Hopefully Sanders’ presence can help this once-storied NFL franchise get some kind of winning spirit back. More: Detroit Lions news

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have struck out for years, for decades, on their searches for people capable of turning around the longest loser in professional football. The Lions announced on Tuesday they’ve hired former linebacker Chris Spielman as a special assistant to owner Sheila Ford Hamp and team president Rod Wood, while Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders will join two others as part-time advisors to the search for general manager and head coach. He will report directly to Rod Wood and participate in interviews for the team’s next general manager and head coach. “Chris Spielman has been a tremendous ambassador for the Detroit Lions since the day he first put on a uniform as a rookie in 1988,” Hamp said in a written statement issued through the team. “The opportunity to work with Rod Wood and every single person in the Lions organization can’t get here fast enough.

WORTHINGTON, OH - DECEMBER 06: Chris Spielman addresses students as Muscle Milk teams up with Chris Spielman to support high school athletics at Thomas Worthington High School on December 6, 2011 in Worthington, Ohio. (Photo by Greg Bartram/WireImage)DETROIT – Former Detroit Lions linebacker and Fox NFL analyst Chris Spielman is joining the organization’s front office. “Chris Spielman has been a tremendous ambassador for the Detroit Lions since the day he first put on a uniform as a rookie in 1988,” reads a statement from Chairman Sheila Hemp Ford. PONTIAC, MI - DECEMBER 17: Linebacker Chris Spielman of the Detroit Lions looks on from the field after a game against the Minnesota Vikings at the Pontiac Silverdome on December 17, 1994 in Pontiac, Michigan. More: Detroit Lions news

Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard, center, watches from the sidelines wearing a boot on his right foot during an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard has opted out of the rest of the season and will prepare for the NFL draft. Hubbard ran for 625 yards and five touchdowns this season. Hubbard's 2019 season was the best by an Oklahoma State back since Barry Sanders' 1988 Heisman-winning season. He rushed for 221 yards against Oregon State, 256 against Tulsa, 296 against Kansas State and 223 against TCU.

My legal team is working through the process to shut this down ASAP. pic.twitter.com/STCnX2fuGS — Barry Sanders (@BarrySanders) November 23, 2020A request for comment from the brewery was not immediately returned early Monday afternoon. UPDATE: The brewery said in a message to MLive that they stopped production and promotion of the brew upon hearing the complaint. Eastern Market Brewery Co. announced the release of the “Same Old Lager” in a Facebook post, which is currently missing as of this writing. Column: Enough is enough for Matt Patricia in DetroitLions grades ($): Detroit’s offense doesn’t threaten once with ultra-conservative approach

DAndre Swifts favorite all-time running back is Barry Sanders, even though he was born after the Hall of Famer ended his career with the Detroit Lions. Detroit took Swift early in the second round of the NFL draft on Friday night with a slightly surprising pick. Lions general manager Bob Quinn disputed a report that Detroit backed out of a trade to acquire the No. With its first pick of the night, Detroit decided Swift was too good to pass up at No. When Jackson was still on the board in the third round, Detroit moved up 10 spots to get him.

Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions had a chance to build a big lead in the first half. When they left the door open for the Green Bay Packers, Aaron Rodgers took over. Putting up points as touchdowns, not field goals.The Lions were in position for a big NFC North road win after they opened a 22-13 lead with 12:17 remaining. Prater connected from 54 yards after Justin Coleman intercepted a Rodgers pass that went off Darrius Shepherds facemask at the Lions 2. But Detroit (2-2-1) was shut out the rest of the way, and Rodgers led the Packers on two scoring drives.

DETROIT (AP) Leave it to the internet to interpret Garth Brooks wearing a Barry Sanders jersey during a concert in Detroit as a political endorsement of a certain liberal presidential candidate. 20 jersey to pay homage to him since they both went to Oklahoma State University. I love this man.After the show, Brooks posted a photo on social media of himself wearing the jersey, which has Sanders and 20 emblazoned on the back. Annoyed fans ripped Brooks in the comment sections under the photo, believing he was endorsing Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and the self-proclaimed democratic socialist's 2020 presidential campaign. How much did KFC pay you to wear this? a commenter wrote, referring to another famous Sanders: Colonel.

Facebook forgot who Barry Sanders is and is freaking out at Garth Brooks for wearing a jersey and Im dying. 20 jersey.Brooks posted the photo after his show, but the story became news when careful observers noticed that fans were still mad more than five days later. )For the record ( and Barry holds a lot of em ), Barry never wore a gray jersey, and he never played a down at Ford Field. Since it is 2020, a safer choice for Brooks mightve been a Billy Sims jersey . But next time he shows up at Ford Field, we suggest Garth wear a No.

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 18: Barry Sanders during the Pro Football Hall of Fame half time show during the Chicago Bears v Detroit Lions game at Ford Field on October 18, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)The greatest Detroit Lion ever, Barry Sanders, was known for being a quiet, private, humble star. But even Barry was upset after last night's referee debacle in the Lions-Packers game. Yes, we could have scored TDs, but @Lions played too well to have the game end this way. #replayhelpneeded Barry Sanders (@BarrySanders) October 15, 2019Related: What referee said after blown Lions-Packers callsCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions had a chance to build a big lead in the first half. When they left the door open for the Green Bay Packers, Aaron Rodgers took over. Putting up points as touchdowns, not field goals.The Lions were in position for a big NFC North road win after they opened a 22-13 lead with 12:17 remaining. Prater connected from 54 yards after Justin Coleman intercepted a Rodgers pass that went off Darrius Shepherds facemask at the Lions 2. But Detroit (2-2-1) was shut out the rest of the way, and Rodgers led the Packers on two scoring drives.

Celebrities such as Tim Izzo and Barry Sanders stepped on the green for the Rocket Mortgage Classic kickoffCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

Football's Barry Sanders warns about brain condition PBA Football Hall of Famer Barry Sanders is working to raise awareness of a condition affecting many former players who suffered head injuries on the field. PseudoBulbar Affect, or PBA, can result in uncontrollable outbursts of laughing or crying.