Barry Sanders didn’t just play running back; he redefined it. Drafted third overall in 1989 by the Detroit Lions, he racked up 15,269 rushing yards, 99 rushing touchdowns, and 10 Pro Bowl selections in just 10 NFL seasons. He led the league in rushing four times and was named NFL MVP in 1997, sharing the honor with Brett Favre after a staggering 2,053-yard campaign. Now, this illustrious career is something which many RBs would love to achieve. But Noah Sanders, the youngest of Barry Sanders’ four sons, is boldly stepping out from the shadow of his Hall-of-Fame father.
A multi-sport athlete at Birmingham Groves High School, Noah plays running back, channeling his dad’s iconic No. 20 jersey into his own pursuit of excellence. It’s no small task carrying that number in Detroit-area football circles. But Noah, a three-star recruit, has embraced the challenge, carving his identity through hard work and athletic versatility. However, this week, he added one more special possession to his name, besides his football talent.
His mother, Lauren Sanders, recently posted a photo of a cross pendant around his neck with a quiet smile on the young boy’s face. It seemed like a fine image until she revealed a soul-stirring story behind it. His grandmother (and Lauren’s mother), Oneka K. Campbell, passed away on May 15, 2025.
Sanders’ wife aptly wrote on the IG story, “Noah ordered this…excited to surprise and show my mom (Nana) who’s been wearing her ankh for decades….She passed the day before it arrived” with a folded hands emoji. However, her emotions were overflowing as she added, “Thank you for the knowledge, Mom“, with a heart emoji. It wasn’t revealed how this member of the family died. But no doubt, the loss is definitely soul-wrenching for the family.
In such moments of grief, it’s a powerful reminder that being close to the family helps to be strong. But despite all the support, the pain of seeing the loved ones go forever remains etched into the hearts. Similarly, for Barry Sanders’ wife, the grief is still there.
“One of a Kind, Ma,” Heartfelt Goodbye by Barry Sanders’ spouse
Barry Sanders’ beau offered a tribute to her mother on May 31 following her passing in mid-May. In a post overflowing with raw emotion and gratitude, Lauren wrote, “I’m still at a loss for words in many ways. It’s one of the heaviest weights I think we can feel.” Yet even in the gravity of grief, her message carried warmth and clarity; her mother didn’t just live in the world, she moved through it with intention, heart, and an uncanny knack for seeing the light in others.
More than a mother, Campbell was a teacher of roots. A storyteller. A Nana who made sure her grandsons, Barry and Lauren’s boys, understood real history, especially the kind you don’t find in textbooks. From local stories to cultural truths, she passed down not just knowledge, but identity. That connection to place and purpose now lives on in the next generation, shaped by a woman who lived with passion and refused to dim her brilliance.
Lauren signs off simply, “Thank you, mom… One of a kind Ma. One of a kind. Love, Beanie.” It’s not just a farewell, it’s a love letter. A reminder to hug harder, ask more questions, and record the stories. Ah, we’re lucky enough to hear while we still can. Additionally, it also proved one more fact. While almost 3 decades have passed since Barry Sanders hung up his cleats, he still has a home in the hearts of Lions fans, as many admirers stepped up to pray for the departed soul and the Sanders family.
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