11/27/23

Jay C. Brandriet

Last week I heard Barry Sanders talking to Dan Patrick about his new documentary. I wasn’t in a rush to watch it, but had it on my list.

That night I saw something on my phone about former Lions teammate Scott Mitchell being “pissed about the show.”

I read what Scott had posted.

I then had to watch the doc right away.

WHO SCOTT MITCHELL IS TO ME

When I was in junior high, he was a stud quarterback at the University of Utah.

It was a Saturday morning in 1988. I was in a Dixie Davis led kitchen full of pancakes, while watching Mitchell help Utah roll BYU 57-28.

In 1990, he was drafted in the fourth round by the Miami Dolphins.

A few years later, he was given a big contract from Detroit.

Scott spent five years with the Lions.

I met him at Sportsmans Warehouse in the late nineties. He was buying a float tube and some waders. He was cool and talked some ball with me. Mitchell got in an awkward social situation in the checkout line and handled it really well.

Over the last three years, I’ve enjoyed Scott on a radio show in Salt Lake City. He’s got the personality for it and brings a cool bag of NFL stories.

He does excellent broadcast work for University of Utah football games.

MITCHELL SAID THE FOLLOWING ON HIS FACEBOOK PAGE

“I just watched “Bye Bye Barry” on Amazon Prime and It wasn’t a very pleasant experience. I was Barry Sanders teammate for five years. I had a front row seat to some of the most amazing plays in NFL history. He will never have an equal as a pure runner in the NFL. I could argue there were several backs more complete, but I won’t. Barry was great!!

I am so tired of hearing that I was the reason Barry Sanders never won the Super Bowl. I’m so tired of hearing that I wasn’t a good QB. My only response is F### you all! That includes Eminem and Jeff Daniels.

I can’t even tell you what a disappointment it is to hear my own coach, Wayne Fontes, who went out in free agency and actively pursued me to the point of begging me to come to Detroit, say that he wanted Joe Montana and Warren Moon, and that the only thing missing from the team winning the Super Bowl was a quarterback. A little support from the coach may have gone a long way. Wayne never had my back!

Bottom line. Barry had everything in Detroit. Everyone loved him. Everything was built for Barry to succeed. In his 10-year career, he won one playoff game and everyone else was the problem? How many yards did Barry have in the playoffs in 94, 95, and 97? I’ll give you a hint: Not very many. We are all to blame for not winning a SB in Detroit, even Barry Sanders.”

MY THOUGHTS ON SCOTT MITCHELL’S/BARRY SANDERS POST

This subject is personal to Scott.

He has every right to his opinions, emotions, and can choose to air it in public.

I’d remind him this was not a Detroit Lions team video covering the 1994 to 1998 seasons.

It was a Barry Sanders celebration.

Yes, I could also argue there were “more complete backs” than Sanders, we don’t need YOU to say it, Scott.

I’ve been having “G.O.A.T. running backs conversations” for almost four decades.

I’ve never heard any human say, “Scott Mitchell is why Barry Sanders never won a Super Bowl.”

Know what they DO say?

“If Barry had Emmitt Smith’s O line”………..

I don’t remember Scott’s name coming up in this film.

Wayne Fontes wanted Joe Montana and Warren Moon?

We all wanted Joe Montana and Warren Moon.

Did Fontes look like he was covering his rear by saying these things on camera?

Come across a little tacky?

Sure.

Him “having your back” or not was the paycheck.

Barry was the most visually appealing offensive player in the sport.

He was obviously THE guy on those Lions teams.

The franchises failures are naturally going to be viewed as, “what the roster lacked.”

Barry has to own the losing as well?

Well, ya. It’s not like he pretends he has a ring.

Did he have an awesome post season career?

No.

These conversations make sense in a sports bar.

They don’t make as much sense coming from someone, he shared a backfield with.

THE FRANCHISE WAS GOING TO BE BLAMED ANYWAY

Mitchell could have stayed on the down low and let history do the talking.

The Detroit Lions have one playoff win in the last 62 seasons.

Hide behind the stench of the Lions.

We should point out that Sanders was THE star of that one win.

Scott and Barry were on some very good teams.

The top NFC squads over that window of time, we’re just better.

MY MESSAGE TO MITCHELL

You ARE the one that handed the ball to #20 before some of the greatest plays ever.

Your left arm is linked to the massive success of Herman Moore.

Anyone who had a 4,300-yard passing season in that era (32 td/12 int) was legit.

On a daily basis, you prepared next to Dan Marino.

How about “AFC Offensive Player of the Month” with a team you’re not even associated with?

You were coached by Don freaking Shula!

You played the most important position.

Takes bravery for a variety of reasons.

A solid career that produces zero playoff wins, is going to be attacked.

You experienced the bumps of NFL failure which most of us can never understand.

It is true that a lot of people, fans, and media members have bad mouthed your pro career.

Some griped about the money you made.

It’s also true that in 1995 you were one of the five to eight best QB’s ON EARTH!

If you’re gonna “suck”, suck like that.

You’re a legit NFL figure for life.

In football in general?

On the streets?

You’re royalty!

That’s also why you don’t need to point the finger at a LEGEND after HIS documentary.

He didn’t post your playoff stats on social media.

Barry’s shadow is a large one. It’s all good.

Being associated so closely with him gives you NFL swag,

You didn’t need to post any of that crap bro.

Calling out Eminem and the guy from Dumb & Dumber was funny though.

Jay C. Brandriet