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Detroit Lions legend Barry Sanders says he's "absolutely" a Michigan State fan

Legendary Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders gave a glowing review of MSU after the Spartans' win over Northwestern...

Matthew Lounsberry

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In the aftermath of Michigan State men's basketball's 53-49 win over Northwestern on 'Senior Day', Detroit Lions legend Barry Sanders had nothing but good things to say about the Spartans.

Sanders' son, Nick, is currently in his second season as a walk-on in head coach Tom Izzo's program, and the sophomore scored his first collegiate basket this season when he knocked down a 3-pointer in the closing moments of MSU's win over Stony Brook on Dec. 21.

In an interview with WILX 10, the elder Sanders says playing for Michigan State has been "a great experience" for Nick and called the program "a great basketball environment". Sanders, who played his college ball at Oklahoma State and won the 1988 Heisman Trophy, has also developed into a Spartan fan himself after watching his son don the Green and White these past two years.

"Oh man, absolutely. Come on now," Sanders said. "I wouldn't say I wasn't one [before], but definitely more of one now."

Sanders' full exchange with WILX 10, including his thoughts on this past season for the Detroit Lions, can be found here.

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