Barry Sanders Reacts Furiously After Alex Anzalone Is ‘Snubbed’ From the Pro Bowl, Sending Detroit Lions Fans Into an Uproar
Detroit, Michigan – December 24, 2025
Hall of Famer Barry Sanders publicly criticized the NFL Pro Bowl after Alex Anzalone of the Detroit Lions was shockingly left off the roster. According to Sanders, the decision was not only unfair, but completely contradicted what Anzalone showed on the field — a season defined by consistency, efficiency, and rare leadership at the linebacker position in today’s NFL.
Anzalone just completed what many consider the best season of his career: steady tackle production, excellent coverage ability, and a leadership role in organizing the Lions’ defense. He is not a “flashy” player, but rather the one who holds structure, controls tempo, and relieves pressure across the entire back seven. That a player like this didn’t even make the alternate list left many inside the Lions organization stunned.
“I don’t understand what the NFL is looking for anymore,” Sanders said bluntly. “When you have a linebacker who plays consistently all season, does everything the right way, sacrifices for the team, and still gets overlooked, then something is clearly wrong. Alex played the kind of football every coach wants — and that deserves respect.” Sanders’ comments spread rapidly, becoming a voice for the growing frustration among Detroit fans.
The outrage from Lions fans goes beyond Anzalone simply being left out, and cuts to the reason behind it: the Pro Bowl has increasingly favored name recognition, highlight plays, and media narratives over real on-field value. While players with eye-catching statistics get the call, “quiet backbones” like Anzalone are pushed aside. For Detroit supporters, that feels like an insult to the discipline- and team-first philosophy the franchise is building.
Despite not receiving a Pro Bowl invitation, Anzalone retains the highest form of respect — from the locker room, the coaching staff, and legends like Barry Sanders. And for Lions Nation, this episode only reinforces the belief that a player’s true worth is not defined by a voting list, but by his real impact on the field. Still, that belief doesn’t erase the bitter taste left behind by a snub many in Detroit won’t soon forget.
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