Netflix Drops Stunning Barry Sanders Documentary: “Running Away” Captures the Legend’s Silent Greatness
May 24, 2025 | Detroit, MI
In a move that has sports fans and film critics alike buzzing, Netflix released its much-anticipated documentary “Running Away,”* a compelling look at the life and career of NFL icon Barry Sanders.
Known for his quiet demeanor and jaw-dropping agility, Sanders left the game at his peak, and this new film aims to peel back the layers of one of football’s most enigmatic legends.
The documentary, which premiered Friday, explores Sanders’ decade-long tenure with the Detroit Lions from 1989 to 1998—a time during which he consistently redefined what was possible for a running back.
Each of his 10 seasons saw him rush for over 1,000 yards, culminating in an unforgettable 1997 campaign when he eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark. Despite these feats, Sanders remained famously modest, often letting his cleats do the talking.
“What Barry did on the field was art,” says former teammate Herman Moore in the film. “But what made him special was what he didn’t do. He didn’t showboat, he didn’t complain, he just ran. And ran. And ran.”
The documentary also dives into Sanders’ shocking 1999 retirement—a decision that stunned the sports world. Walking away just 1,458 yards shy of Walter Payton’s all-time rushing record, Sanders turned his back on glory in a fashion that still provokes debate.
In rare interviews featured in the film, Sanders reflects on the choice with calm clarity. “I didn’t want to chase numbers. I wanted to leave the game as I loved it,” he says.
*Running Away* doesn’t just focus on Sanders’ on-field accomplishments, including his 10 Pro Bowl selections and his 2004 induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It also explores the man behind the myth: the son, the teammate, the private figure who rarely sought the spotlight but always commanded it.
Directed by Emmy-winner Ava Benton and produced in collaboration with NFL Films, the documentary blends game footage, intimate interviews, and a poignant soundtrack to bring Sanders’ story to life. Critics have already called it “a masterclass in understated greatness.”
For fans who remember his zig-zagging runs and humble persona, Running Away is both a nostalgic journey and a powerful tribute. For those who never saw him play, it’s a window into the quiet brilliance of a man who made history, then vanished.