OTish: Denard meets Barry Sanders and a "cool story bro"
Today I went to a mall in Sterling Heights to get my helmet signed by Denard. The special thing about this helmet is that Mike Hart signed it back in 2008. The place was packed. Not only because Denard was signing but Barry Sanders made an appearance before him. The line stretched all the way around the mall for Barry.
Denard was scheduled to arrive at 5:30pm. To be safe and avoid being cut off in the line like fan day 2011, I came to the mall the signing was at at 2:30pm.
Denard is such a nice guy had the huge Denard smile as soon as he walked into the store. The thing about this helmet is that is signed by the All-Time Leading Rusher, Mike Hart. And the All-Time Leading QB Rusher, Denard Robinson. Whoever breaks those records in the future, I will have them sign the helmet. I highly doubt Denard's will ever even be in danger of being broken given the offense going back to the pro style.
Anyways, in the back room of the store where both Barry and Denard exited through, they were hanging out for awhile in between the layoff from Barry's signing to Denard's. The store, Detroit City Sports, tweeted the picture of Denard and Barry. Just thought I'd post this pic if anyone is a big Lions fan as well as a Wolverine fan. Pretty cool pic, of some pretty amazing stars IMO.
My helmet with Denard's sig on the wing, Mike Hart's in gold on the side-
Denard signing the guy in front of me's footballs-
February 9th, 2013 at 10:37 PM ^
as a cool story, bro.
February 9th, 2013 at 10:52 PM ^
Two of my most favorite football players of all time. Nice to see them together.
February 9th, 2013 at 10:53 PM ^
That's awesome! I have such a high respect for the way Barry played the game. There's nothing cooler than handing the ball off to ref after an awesome touchdown run. I'm thankful I got to see him Jordan play the game in their prime.
February 10th, 2013 at 12:30 PM ^
Barry sold the lions out and screwed them up by not reporting to camp.
why does everyone give him a pass for that?
jdon
February 10th, 2013 at 1:05 PM ^
instead of negging me how bout explaining why Barry Sanders gets a pass when he quit on the team and effectively ruined our team to a point where we still haven't recovered...
please defend him, please explain to me how he should have the honor of standing next to Denard.
February 10th, 2013 at 1:37 PM ^
Yes, I agree that he should have retired at a more appropriate time so they could better prepare, but by 1999 they had signed James Stewart at RB. He wasn't great, but probably the best they could do on the free agent market. I don't think it made much of a difference. Sanders wouldn't have been there for more than another year or two at most.
The Lions went 8-8 and 9-7 the two years after he left (which was better than the 5-11 the Lions had in his last year). The Lions were ruined by first Bobby Ross's poor drafts and then of course Matt Millen's. Blaming Barry Sanders for this is ridiculous.
February 10th, 2013 at 4:11 PM ^
I overstated a little...
but I remain confused by the people's acceptance of Barry after what he did to the team (reprecussions be damned).
jdon
February 10th, 2013 at 4:23 PM ^
When he was drafted Barry said he was going to play 10 years which is exactly what he did. Is it his fault the Lions didn't draft Olineman to make his job easier. Is it his fault they constantly let quality players leave so they could overpay stiffs like Scott Mitchell.
Did you ever think maybe he was coming back, but the injuries he sustained in his off season accident didn't heal as quickly or the way he expected?
February 9th, 2013 at 10:54 PM ^
Considering Denard is the leading QB rusher in ALL of college football history, I dont think you have too much to worry about any wolverine coming in and beating that any time soon.
February 9th, 2013 at 10:55 PM ^
That's pretty badass.
February 9th, 2013 at 10:55 PM ^
Figuring Denard is still enrolled in College. Can he get paid for these events?
February 9th, 2013 at 11:01 PM ^
Yes, he can. He has no NCAA eligibility left. All the proceeds from today went to Denard and he is gonna give half to a charity I was told by the manager.
Which will be a pretty big profit for both parties given there were at least 300 people there, and anything other than a 11x14 or smaller photo was $35 plus $10 for inscription.
February 10th, 2013 at 9:52 AM ^
Great to know that a guy finally able to draw a paycheck for his abilities thinks also of a cause other than himself to benefit. His parents did a TREMENDOUS job raising that young man; it is an honor to have had him playing for Michigan these last four years.
February 10th, 2013 at 12:04 PM ^
Great player, most importantly a great person. I wish nothing but the best for him and his family. My niece and I met him at fan day, and his smile made my niece fall in love with him. Go Denard, Go Blue!
February 9th, 2013 at 11:08 PM ^
yes- he has exhausted college eligibility
many players take advatage of these sign for pay events.
they also receive other benfits- all star games, combines, agents, etc.
however, the schools and boosters still can not give them benefits.
February 10th, 2013 at 12:21 AM ^
He's probably already signed with an agent too. A lot of times agents will loan these guys a million + just to sign with them.
February 10th, 2013 at 12:30 AM ^
Denard deserves the $ earned from the signings. He doesn't owe anything to charity either IMO.
February 9th, 2013 at 11:04 PM ^
Hopefully some of Barry's NFL success rubbed off on Denard while taking that photo.
February 9th, 2013 at 11:39 PM ^
Very cool. Wish I could have been there. Also, Barry is really short if Denard is only 5'11
February 9th, 2013 at 11:42 PM ^
Thats awesome dude. There are some things that you cannot put a price tag on and this is one of them.
February 10th, 2013 at 12:43 AM ^
Barry looks ... happy.
February 10th, 2013 at 8:32 AM ^
That's the biggest smile I've ever seen Barry show off.
February 10th, 2013 at 1:42 AM ^
What is denard doing with his time these days? I assume training for the combine?
February 10th, 2013 at 5:38 AM ^
Barry and Denard, 2 of my all-time favorite athletes.
February 10th, 2013 at 8:59 AM ^
Very cool! I'm glad Denard is doing some signings around here before going pro. I missed the one at the MDen last weekend but was able to sign up for one March 16th in Grand Rapids. Time to get that UTL jersey signed!
February 10th, 2013 at 10:08 AM ^
Barry- best waste of talent ever. He wouldn't practice or lead the team in any capacity. That spread through the Lions like cancer. We had such a great team with Barry, but he wouldn't practice. I was lucky to go see the 49ers practice at the end of Jerry Rice's career. Jerry was the first there and the last to leave. It was amazing to see the work that team put in to winning. Lions, no such luck.
February 10th, 2013 at 10:10 AM ^
is that on the inside, he's as joyful as Denard.
February 10th, 2013 at 1:15 PM ^
They look like they could be teamates. Damn Barry looks young.
February 10th, 2013 at 1:39 PM ^
LOL turn that frown upside down Barry!! :P
I once randomly saw Barry at an appliance store. I was like a freshman in HS at the time and was all excited and nervous at the same time, like, "OMG, that's Barry Sanders!!" But I went up to him anyways, said hi, shook his hand, introduced myself, and wished him luck on the upcoming season. Super nice guy.
</cool story bro>
February 10th, 2013 at 10:07 PM ^
My favorite football player growing up along with my current favorite.