University of Texas football fans no doubt remember the fits that Barry Sanders caused the Longhorns in the 1980s. Those same fans will be interested to hear that the college and professional football legend recently filed for divorce.
Sanders married his wife more than 11 years ago. But in papers filed in circuit court in another state, Sanders did not cite a reason for the divorce.
The couple lives with their three sons, who are 10, 8 and 4 years old. Sanders has an adult son from a previous relationship.
Sanders has requested joint custody of the couple’s children and has agreed to pay child support as outlined in state recommendations. He has asked that his wife maintain health insurance for their sons.
Sanders, 43, played running back for the Detroit Lions for 10 years before surprisingly retiring in 1999. He continues to live in Michigan since retiring.
No date has been set for the estranged couple’s court appearance. In the interim, Sanders and his wife were ordered by the court to take part in an education program that is intended to show couples the effect that divorce has on children. The course is designed to help parents make the transition to divorced life easier for the kids.
It is likely that the couple did not have a prenuptial agreement in place, since Sanders is now making specific requests for a settlement. But Texas residents should be aware that since the Lone Star State is a community property state, without a prenuptial agreement in place, a court could divide all assets equally for a divorce settlement.
Source: Detroit Free-Press, “Barry Sanders files to divorce wife,” John Wisely, Feb. 27, 2012