Breaking news: Barry Sanders WAS a mudder.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz explained on Monday that Reggie Bush was benched in Sunday’s loss because he’s not at his best running on a wet, sloppy surface. 

Or in horse-racing lingo, he’s not a mudder. It’s a term that refers to horses who run well on wet, muddy tracks. 

In fact, Schwartz invoked the name of Barry Sanders saying he probably had the same issues, that he wasn’t a mudder either.

Didn’t recall that so I looked it up.

In an Associated Press story on Jan. 8, 1992, previewing the NFC Championship game with the Lions playing at the Washington Redskins, Sanders’ skills were discussed regarding the wet field.

Here’s the money quote: “Redskin running backs Ricky Ervins and Earnest Byner proved last week they can dash and dart in the slop, but Sanders also is a good mudder.’’

There you go.

And if you don’t believe the Associated Press, ask Lions GM Martin Mayhew who was a cornerback for the Redskins in that championship game.

Or Wayne Fontes who was the AP NFL coach of the year for that 1991 season.

I watched Barry Sanders, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, for season after season. 

My recollection?

He was a tough mudder.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)