Watching a statue or monument stand tall in all its glory can be a breathtaking experience for many, but the effort that goes into bringing it to life? That’s a whole different story. Emily Griffin, Senior Vice President for Marketing and Brand at the Detroit Lions, knows this journey all too well. She recently took on the daunting yet rewarding task of ideating and making the iconic Barry Sanders statue a reality. Talk about the process. Well, it’s far from simple.

Griffin has demonstrated remarkable work in overseeing all global brand and consumer marketing operations for the Club. But the task may also require additional efforts at times and the Griffin is no exception to this reality. As she, along with her sister Erin Griffin engages in an interview with our esteemed host Trey Holder for the final episode of Essentially Sports Think Tank Season 1, Emily shares her experiences in carrying out one of the most challenging tasks of bringing Barry Sanders statue to life. 

It was in September 2023 when the Lions unveiled an 8-foot statue outside Gate B near the corner of Montcalm and Brush streets. It perfectly encapsulates the special trait of the American player as the monument reflects Sanders clutching the football in his right hand, his left hand held out to keep a defender away, and him running forward for success. It has exquisitely captured even the minutest of details, like the cut-off gloves that Sanders wore and his wide-open eyes expressing alertness. However, such details require not just perfection but an intense process about which Griffin has a lot to share. 

When quizzed about the entire process by Holder, Griffin spoke her heart out and revealed the grueling challenges in bringing the statue to life. “From the time we selected an artist, to the time we unveiled, it was about 18 months. But it’s something that we have been talking about for a very long time. The statue monument was the first to any former Lions player or coach in our club’s history. So we talked with a number of very talented and respected studios who are capable of creating the monument,” Griffin shares. Ultimately, it was the Rotblatt Amrany Studio, under the artistic hands of Omri Amrany and Lou Cella that Griffin selected for the task.

But she knew that there was much to be done to seek perfection…

Griffin was responsible for coordination between the Studio and the sports giant, Sanders. “They photographed Barry, they spend some time, you know, sort of getting to know him, his personality. Went back to the studio and began the process,” she shared. The Marketing and Brand vice president also shared numerous pictures of the players, after spending some time deciding what could bring out his personality the best. The amalgamation of this entire process has helped her in ensuring the curation of the iconic statue and organizing an “incredible ceremony”. 

Continuing further, Griffin also emphasized why the task was not just crucial for her, but for everyone in the Detroit Lions Club. “Barry is a really amazing human being and somebody who transcends generations. He gave Detroit Lions fans a hero,” she shared. And the love for the player was evident from the fact that over 300 people including his family members, supporters, fans, and his acquaintances, as revealed by Griffin. Now, the expert marketeer seems to have overcome the challenging time, but neither the admiration for her work nor for Sander’s immense success has faded away for the Lions’ supporters.

“I see a line of people”: Emily Griffin shares a heartwarming experience about Barry Sanders’ statue 

Barry Sanders proved his mettle in the sports arena until his retirement in 1999 and confirmed his departure from the NFL in a heartwarming message. However, the legacy he has left behind has continued to resonate with his supporters till today which is witnessed by the praises that the entire NFL community sings for him time and again. While helping in the process of carving out his statue was a challenging task for Griffin, she acknowledges that she is taking pride in her work now. 

Speaking in the interview with Holder, Griffin opened up about her apprehensions. “It was a huge responsibility and I would be lying if I say I wasn’t scared at times, you know, not wanna mess it up.” However, the finalized product has not failed to mesmerize her and she cannot help acknowledging her happiness. “I am happy with the finished product and every game there I walk by or when I drive by from work at night, I see a line of people, 365 days waiting to take a photo with it. It’s heartwarming” 

This exclusive with Emily Griffin is just a sneak peek into the EssentiallySports Think Tank’s initiative to bring the best minds in sports and present them directly to our esteemed audience. Want to know what else the Griffin sisters shed light upon? Tune in to watch the complete episode only on EssentiallySports Think Tank—Where Sports Meets Smart Content.