Editing Billy Sims (section)

===Comeback attempt===
In 1988, four years after the knee injury that forced his retirement, Sims announced he was attempting a comeback with the Lions for the [[1989 Detroit Lions season|1989 season]], which would be Sanders' rookie year. He told ''[[Detroit Free Press]]'' columnist [[Mitch Albom]], that he was "as fit as he was in 1983."  He offered to play the season with a [[blank check]], allowing Lions management to assess his value and fill in the salary amount accordingly. Sims hoped to meet with Lions general manager [[Russ Thomas]] and owner [[William Clay Ford Sr.]] to discuss a spot on the team's roster.<ref name=comeback>[[Associated Press]]. [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-12-19-mn-525-story.html "IN BRIEF : Sims Hoping for Detroit Comeback."] [[Los Angeles Times]], December 19, 1988. Retrieved November 16, 2014.</ref> Despite some interest from Lions head coach [[Wayne Fontes]],<ref name=wayne>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2519&dat=19881220&id=sqhdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=S10NAAAAIBAJ&pg=5917,6596767 "A Billy Sims Comeback?"] [[Observer-Reporter]], December 20, 1988. [[Google News Archive]]. Retrieved November 201, 2014.</ref> Sims never returned to the NFL.