Lions unveil Barry Sanders statue in ceremony at Ford Field - ESPN

DETROIT — An 8-foot bronze statue of one of the greatest players in NFL history in action now graces the corner of Montcalm and Brush Streets in the heart of downtown Detroit.

On the eve of their home opener against the Seattle Seahawks, the Detroit Lions immortalized Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders with a statue outside of Ford Field on Saturday in a non-public event.

Sanders is the first player in franchise history to receive the honor, and the humble star was grateful for the organization's gesture.

«You heard the saying that you give a person their flowers while they're around,» Sanders said during the ceremony. «I don't plan on going anywhere any time soon, I'm just saying that saying… but if this statue could be used with that analogy, then I would have to say this is one heck of a bouquet for me, so thanks a lot. I appreciate it.»

It's official! Here's your first look at the 8-foot bronze statue of <a href=«https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lions?src=hash&ref_src=» https:>#Lions

great Barry Sanders — one of the greatest players in NFL history. He is the 1st Lions player to receive a statue. pic.twitter.com/utDAksffbk

The statue was produced by artists Omri Amrany and Lou Cella of Fine Art Studio Rotblatt Amrany. Their Illinois-based company also created the Michael Jordan statue located inside Chicago's United Center as well as the Magic Johnson statue outside of Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena, among many other bronze sculptures of sports legends.

Sanders admired the details of his statue, in which he is depicted performing one of his signature juke moves on a defender.

«Little things like the cut-off gloves that I wore and obviously the very alert eyes,» Sanders said. «I haven't had a chance to really soak it