I'm amazed and always somewhat surprised when I see and hear how fans react to athletes. And, it doesn't seem to matter whether they're "good guy" athletes or "bad guy" athletes. Two cases in point, Barry Sanders and Lawrence Phillips.

All would agree Barry Sanders is not only a great football player and running back, but also, his image is one of down to earth, classy and an unassuming person. By today's sports standards, that's rare, unique and special. However, in the flash of a press release announcing his retirement, a number of fans now think he's selfish, vengeful, petty and owes the fans something. If you ever wonder why athletes sometimes ignore fans, it's because they understand they're fickle and they'll turn on you in a heartbeat. To the fans I say, "Get real."

Barry Sanders is the "real deal." Let me tell you a story. Several years ago, I got a call from Sanders saying he wanted to do Sports Byline when he was coming back from the Pro Bowl. He would be in San Jose. I asked him if he wanted me to send a car to bring him to our studios in San Francisco. He said, "no" and that he would drive up. When he arrived, he was by himself. No driver, no entourage. We spent a wonderful on air hour talking about growing up in a large family, with 7 sisters, doing back breaking roofing work with his dad, his love for football, how he developed his running style and the dichotomy between his flashy running style and his quiet personality. After a wonderful hour, he left our studios that were in a Public Broadcasting Station. The next day I learned he stayed in the PBS station for two hours talking with a large group of people who were there in recognition of Black Awareness Month. Unannounced and unexpected, but deeply appreciated by those who where there. That was Barry Sanders the person, who also happens to be Barry Sanders the star football player. I tell the story to emphasize how little people and fans know about the person they adore and adulate as a player.

As long as the player performs and conforms to their expectations, then they support and cheer him. But let him do something they don't like or understand, then they criticize and castigate him. Sanders understood that, but more importantly, he understands himself. His press release and retirement announcement is consistent with how Sanders played the game, low key. To hold a press conference and try to explain to the media and fans his reasons would be a fruitless effort. His press release said it as honestly as it can be said. His desire not to play football is greater then his desire to play. To the great players like Jordan, Gretzky, Bird, Williams and Sanders, the desire to play is the ultimate motivational force in their careers. When the doubt or desire not to play exceeds the desire to play, for whatever reasons, the great players understand it's time to quit the game and get on with their lives. Those players that understand that also understand life is bigger then the game they play. A lot of money or the chance to set records doesn't overcome their personal honesty that they no longer possess the desire to play the game they loved and played with passion. Barry Sanders understands that. There's nothing selfish or vengeful about when he reached and announced that decision. He was thoughtful and took his time in order to make a decision he could be committed to. When he reached that decision, he announced it. The fact he made his decision public as the Lions were opening training camp is inconsequential.

If Barry Sanders is a "good guy" athlete, then Lawrence Phillips has been the poster boy for the "bad guy" athlete. A troubled kid growing up, Lawrence continued to have problems on and off the field in college and the NFL. Drinking, anger, bad choices, irresponsibility are all part of the Lawrence Phillips personal and football profile. Over the years of doing Sports Byline USA, I've learned that fans won't tolerate bad people and bad character. Unless, they're wearing the uniform of their favorite team and helping them to win. Then that black and white area in character becomes gray. The response goes from "ban the guy for life, he's a cancer" to "hey, he's young and we all make mistakes, so let's give him another chance." When the San Francisco 49ers signed the troubled Phillips, they became the latest "let's give the kid another chance" NFL team. Fan response in San Francisco and around the country was "how could you?" Well fans, here's another reality. The 49ers, like other NFL teams and all pro sports teams for that matter, are in the business of WINNING. Players are paid to win, coaches are paid to win and you fans pay to see your team WIN. How they do it and with whom they do it is inconsequential. The name of the game is WINNING. I've never heard a fan say, "I don't care if we go 0 and 16, as long as we have nice guys on the team."

There's no comparison between Barry Sanders and Lawrence Phillips, as football players or as people. So, stop acting like there is. Sanders has proven himself and deserves to make career decisions when he wants and for whatever reasons he wants. As for Phillips, he's a product of his past. And, like any other consumer industry where winning is everything, he has value only as long as he can produce.

I feel better now.

I'm Ron Barr

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