Detroit Lions Hall of Famer Barry Sanders is divorcing his wife, Lauren Sanders, after more than 11 years of marriage. Sanders, 43, of West Bloomfield, filed for divorce Friday in Oakland County Circuit Court, and the case was assigned to Judge Lisa Gorcyca.
Sanders married Lauren Campbell, who works as a weekend anchor at WDIV-TV Channel 4, in November 2000 in Detroit. The couple has three boys, ages 10, 8 and 4.
Barry Sanders is seeking joint custody of the boys and is prepared to pay child support as recommended by state guidelines, while the filing asks Lauren Sanders to continue health care coverage for the boys.
The filing lists no reason for the divorce, other than a breakdown in the marital relations. The pair was ordered to attend a court-run education program that teaches divorcing couples the effects of their actions on their children and how to talk to them through the divorce proceeding and afterward.
Barry and Lauren Sanders could not be reached for comment, and Barry Sanders’ attorney did not return a call seeking comment.
Barry Sanders is considered one of the best running backs in football history. A Heisman trophy winner at Oklahoma State, Sanders went on to rush for 15,269 yards over 10 NFL seasons with the Lions. He finished the 1997 season with 2,053 yards, joining O.J. Simpson and Eric Dickerson as the only backs in history to top 2,000 yards in a single season.
He retired in 1999 and entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004. The Lions retired his number 20.
Barry Sanders files to divorce wife | Detroit Free Press | freep.com