Bob Sanders Likely To Retire
October 7, 2011 - 5:37 pm by Ryan Phillips
While most of us probably saw this coming, word has come out from several sources that former All-Pro safety Bob Sanders is not expected to play again. The 30-year-old veteran was placed on injured reserve by the San Diego Chargers last week thanks to a knee injury and is likely headed for retirement.
Sanders was once one of the most feared players in the NFL and, when healthy, was also one of the league’s top play-makers. Unfortunately for the diminutive safety he just couldn’t actually stay on the field.
Sanders has finished each of the last four seasons on IR, and has played in just nine games over the past three years. The Iowa product has also never played a full 16-game season. He did manage to stay healthy for 15 games in 2007 and all he did was win the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Overall in eight possible seasons, Sanders only played in 49 NFL games. That’s just a horrible ratio and it is evidence that Sanders’ body just couldn’t hold up to the rigors of the game.
The 5’8, 205-pound safety played like a heat-seeking missile and he had very little regard for his body. While admirable, that was a recipe for injury. Sanders simply could not continue to play that way and stay healthy. But the thing is, it’s not like he could train himself to play any other way.
Sanders will be remembered as a supremely talented guy who went all-out all the time. It’s sad to see his career end this way but we probably shouldn’t have expected anything else.
6 Responses to “Bob Sanders Likely To Retire”
What a player ! 5th,8inches tall,210 pounds of pure dynamite ! Walk on in college at Iowa,just like Dallas Clark.He will be missed by his fans and teammates,but not any running backs or receivers in the NFL !
By Hawk7458 on Oct 7, 2011
hate 2 see it end that way for sanders. While becoming a huge Peyton Manning fan watching the colts i also took notice of a standout safety on the defensive side for the colts. he was just as much fun 2 watch as peyton
By keith woods on Oct 7, 2011
Although always the enemy on the field, Bengal fans I know are sorry to see this day. What a fantastic & fearless player. Sue, he could of ‘mailed it in’ to reduce the hits and injuries, but that was NEVER Bob Sanders style. A great player who will be missed. I wish him only the best in his retirement!!
By Cincy49 on Oct 7, 2011
Hope you do well in your next endeavor, Bob.
When you were on the field, your play for the Colts was awesome.
Unfortunately, playing 49 games (plus playoffs?) in 8 years was not the career he saw for himself, and it appears that he just could not keep from being injured. Enjoy the Super Bowl ring, good luck, Bob.
By jr1966 on Oct 8, 2011
Actually Bob wasn’t a walk on at Iowa, he was referred to Kirk cause of Bob’s special teams play and through hard work he turned into one of the Greatest Hawkeyes of all time.
By JJ on Oct 8, 2011