Sports
Barry Sanders has revealed that he suffered a heart attack in June 2023, an incident that he says has completely changed the 10-time Pro Bowler’s outlook on health and life.
The 55-year-old, who played for the Detroit Lions from 1989-1998 and was voted NFL MVP in 1997, shared details of the medical scare in a recent interview, revealing the episode occurred while he was on a recruiting visit with his son.
“I thought it was heartburn,” Sanders recalled to CBS Sports, initially playing down the life-threatening moment until symptoms persisted, he sought medical attention and was rushed to the emergency room.
There, after undergoing a heart catheterization and further testing, doctors confirmed that he had experienced a mild heart attack, although he has since recovered to feel healthy again.
Part of that recovery has been through an improved health, thanks to a combination of lifestyle changes, medication, and increased physical activity as the moment opened his eyes.
“There was just a certain ignorance that I had about things like that,” Sanders admitted, of looking after his heart. “But all of it has been a learning process.”
Since the heart attack, Sanders has made it a priority to take better care of his body. He has embraced walking as part of a heart-healthy routine-something he once underestimated because of his life in pro sports.
“Being the kind of athlete that I was, I would see people walking and I would wonder,” Sanders continued. “Like, ‘What kind of workout is that?’
“But there’s a thing called a heart healthy workout, where you’re just getting your heart rate up a little bit over a certain period of time, and that’s just really good for your heart.”
The experience has not only altered his fitness habits but has also prompted him to take a more mindful approach to diet and daily wellness, and he has also won the help of the broader football community too.
One of the NFL greats
Barry Sanders is regarded as one of the most electrifying players in football history. After a standout college career at Oklahoma State, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1988, he was selected by the Lions and made an immediate impact.
He was named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1989 and went on to earn six First-Team All-Pro selections, producing 15,269 rushing yards, 99 rushing touchdowns, 352 receptions, 2,921 receiving yards, and 10 receiving touchdowns before retirement.
Sanders retired unexpectedly before the 1999 season, walking away at the peak of his abilities, leaving fans left to debate what more he could have achieved, although his legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats remains uncontested.
Now, following a life-altering medical event, Sanders is using his platform to encourage others to be proactive about their health. His message is clear: even elite athletes are not immune to serious health conditions.
This news was originally published on this post .
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