Former Lions Quarterback Blasts New Barry Sanders Documentary

DETROIT — Former Detroit Lions quarterback Scott Mitchell blasted Amazon's new Barry Sanders documentary, "Bye, Bye, Barry," which focuses on the hall of fame running back's career with the Lions and his decision to walk away at age 31.

In a lengthy rant on Facebook, Mitchell was not happy about the film's impressions, especially the portrayal that it was his fault that Sanders and the Lions didn't win a Super Bowl title.

He also attacked the idea that Sanders' greatness provided the running back immunity from his rather lackluster playoff performances.

"I just watched 'Bye Bye Barry' on Amazon Prime," Mitchell wrote. "It was not 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 that their were several running backs that were more complete, but I won't. Barry was great!"

"However, I am so tired of hearing how I was the reason that Barry Sanders never won a Super Bowl," Mitchell added. "I'm so tired of hearing how I was not a good QB. My only response is F___K YOU ALL!!!!! That includes Eminem (and) Jeff Daniels."

Mitchell also said it was difficult to hear former Lions coach Wayne Fontes throw him under the bus after Fontes said he failed to provide Sanders a better quarterback.

"I can't even began to 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 or Warren Moon, and that the only thing that was missing from the team winning the Super Bowl was a quarterback," Mitchell wrote. "A little support from the coach might have gone a long way. Wayne never had my back!"

Mitchell, who was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 1990, signed with the Lions in 1994 after he filled-in for Dan Marino for seven games during the 1993 season. After a disappointing first season, Mitchell had a very productive season, throwing for 4,338 yards and 32 touchdowns, leading the Lions to a 10-6 record.

Mitchell suffered a rib injury the next year as the Lions replaced coaches, falling to a 5-11 record. Mitchell and the Lions won nine games in 1997 and made the playoffs, losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-10.

"Bottom line, Barry Sanders had everything in Detroit," Mitchell wrote. "Everyone loved him. Everything was built for Barry to succeed. In his 10-year career he won one playoff game and the only reason he didn't win more was everyone else was the problem? How many yards did Barry have in the playoffs in '94, '95, '97? I'll give you a hint not very many. We all are to blame for not winning a (Super Bowl) in Detroit even Barry Sanders."

Mitchell stayed with the Lions through the 1998 season, playing in just two games, before he was traded to the Baltimore Ravens. In four years with Detroit, he posted a 27-30 record as a starter, plus an 0-2 mark in the postseason.

"I will believe until I die that had we been given more time and patience with the offense, we had and the talent we had we could have made a deep run in the playoffs and competed to win a Super Bowl."