Roar of Excellence: Detroit Lions' 10 Most Outstanding Players Who Defined the Franchise

Roar of Excellence: Detroit Lions' 10 Most Outstandin...

By Arslan Saleem August 29, 2024 22:31

Photo by AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File

The ten greatest Lions players of all time is a title that comes with great prestige, so this article considers the best to have played for storied Detroit team. With contributions on and off the pitch, heroes past who defined Lions down through their performances over the years and what they left behind. They have helped shape how this team is perceived and made a mark in the deep folds of NFL history.

1. Barry Sanders (RB, 1989-1998)

When you think of the Detroit Lions, there is no doubt Barry Sanders comes to mind almost instantly. In his ten seasons with the Lions, Sanders completely changed what a running back could look like playing position in an electrifying manner.

Accomplishments:

10-time Pro Bowl selection
6-time First-team All-Pro
NFL MVP (1997)
15,269 career rushing yards (3rd all-time in the NFL)
99 rushing touchdowns

That stamina, agility, quickness, and easy check-over would make Sanders the fastest player to play the best game ever on that NFL field. Defenders would grasp at nothing, and fans would be in amazement as he ran.

As former Lions coach Wayne Fontes said, “Barry Sanders is the once-in-a-lifetime kind of player. There is no secret why he can create something out of nothing; he's magic.

Sanders forever impacts the Detroit Lions franchise in a way that extends well beyond football performance on the field. His professionalism and humble stature in the game have raised a mark for today's players.

2. Calvin Johnson (WR, 2007-2015)

The Lions legend earned the nickname "Megatron" after dominating the field with his superhuman abilities during his nine seasons in Detroit.

Accomplishments:

6-time Pro Bowl selection
3-time First-team All-Pro
NFL receiving yards leader (2012)
731 receptions, 11,619 yards, and 83 TD

At 6'5" and with great speed and jumping ability, Johnson was a nightmare for defenders. With his size, speed, and hands, he was one of the most dynamic receivers in NFL history.

Calvin is the best receiver I've ever seen, and Matthew Stafford is a former Lions quarterback. Nobody can go get it like him, and with as many dudes around us,"

3. Bobby Layne (QB, 1950-1958)

Layne was the backbone of Detroit's success during the 1950s when they won three NFL championships (1952, 1953, and 1957).

Accomplishments:

4-time Pro Bowl selection
NFL passing yards leader (two times)
Lions 15,710 passing yards and 118 touchdowns

Layne was the standard-setter for QB toughness during his era, and he waged war against about every front seven he played against. His knack for delivering in the clutch earned him a spot among the best to ever do it with about 20 seconds left on the clock.

4. Lem Barney (CB, 1967-1977)

For over a decade, Lem Barney constituted the bedrock of Lions defenses and changed that cornerback position from one who attempted to merely stop an opponent into one whose experience is such an outstanding ball-hawker with impressive return ability.

Accomplishments:

7-time Pro Bowl selection
2-time First-team All-Pro
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1967
The 56 interceptions (Lion's franchise record)
7 Interception return TDs

Barney was one of the most feared defenders due to his ability to read quarterbacks and create turnovers that changed games. His contributions on special teams as a return specialist made him much more valuable.

5. Joe Schmidt (LB, 1953-1965)

During the Lions' championship years in the 1950s, Joe Schmidt was their heart and soul on defense.

Accomplishments:

10-time Pro Bowl selection
8-time First-team All-Pro
NFL championships (1953, 1957)
A Lions team captain over nine seasons

A cerebral player on the field, Schmidt changed the perception of middle linebackers. His gift for diagnosing plays and running the defense elevated his position in the NFL to a new level.

It's exactly what former Lions coach Buddy Parker once said: “Joe Schmidt is the smartest player I ever coached. He kind of is like a coach on the field,"

6. Dick "Night Train" Lane (CB, 1960-65)

Dick "Night Train" Lane may not have played all that long with the Lions, but during his time in Detroit and as a player throughout the league, he left an indelible mark

Accomplishments:

3× Pro Bowl selection
Detroit 2-time First-team All-Pro
6 Years a Lion - 21 Interceptions

Lane was a physical player who contributed to shutting down receivers. His "Night Train Necktie" tackling technique was so devastating that it prompted rule changes in the NFL.

7. Alex Karras (DT, 1958-1970)

Karras was a terror as the Lions defensive lineman for over ten years.

Accomplishments:

4-time Pro Bowl selection
3-time First-team All-Pro
An NFL 1960s All-Decade Team

Karras was known for his combination of strength and quickness, disrupting plays in the middle of the Lions' defense. He could pressure quarterbacks and stop running backs, making him one of the scariest defensive tackles of his time.

8. Jason Hanson (K, 1992-2012)

Jason Hanson's long career also meant high consistency, making him one of the most reliable kickers in NFL history.

Accomplishments:

2-time Pro Bowl selection
Games played in Lions history (327)
All-time Lions points leader (2,150)
3rd - Field goals made in NFL history (495)

The Lions enjoyed more than 20 years of accurate and clutch kicking before moving on from Hanson. His ability to consistently hit long-range field goals added another dimension to the Lions' offense. Jason Hanson represents what consistency and professionalism are all about.

9. Herman Moore (WR, 1991-2001)

Herman Moore is one of the most statistically prolific receivers in Lions history and holds many franchise records.

Accomplishments:

4-time Pro Bowl selection
3-time First-team All-Pro
Single-season receptions (123 in 1995)
670 catches, 9,174 yards and 62 TDs

A sure-handed receiver with the size and route-running skills to become a dependable safety blanket for Lions quarterbacks, Moore found himself on both ends of one notable passing statistic during the 1990s. His steadiness and production helped the Lions' passing game reach higher levels.

10. Doak Walker (RB/K, 1950-1955)

The Lions won back-to-back NFL championships in 1952 and '53, especially powered by great two-way player Doak Walker, who was a running back/ kicker on those teams.

Accomplishments:

5-time Pro Bowl selection
5-time First-team All-Pro
2× NFL Champion (1952, 1953)

He was a weapon unlike any the Lions have had, a true bugger that can do everything. All of which proved just as integral to part success at the key upcoming turns in a golden era for Lions football.

Their incredible performances, leadership, and impact on and away from the pitch have also defined who the team is throughout history. Whether it was Barry Sanders putting defenders on skates or Calvin Johnson making incredible catches, these guys have produced many highlight sessions for Lions fans over the years. They are doing their part to create a culture of excellence around Detroit football. These young Lions are legends, and their legacy will live on forever, so Lions fans can be confident that both men’s contributions to the franchise won't get lost in time.

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