The Lions bye week during the 100th season of the NFL inspired us here at Lions Wire to come up with our own list of the top 10 players in Detroit Lions history.
Erik Schlitt and I–with some assistance on pre-merger players from a couple of trusted sources–came up with our own list of the 10 greatest Detroit Lions.
Our list:
10. Wayne Walker, LB/PK, 1958-1972
Walker earned a place on the All-Decade team of the 1960s as a reliable linebacker who also happened to be one of the best field goal kickers of his era. A 3-time Pro Bowler, his longevity with the team carried enough weight to earn him a spot on our list.
9. Dick LeBeau, DB, 1959-1972
Before he became one of the greatest defensive coaching minds, LeBeau was one of the most feared takeaway artists in NFL history. LeBeau’s 62 career INTs were No. 3 all-time when he retired after spending all 14 of his NFL season with the Lions. He made three Pro Bowls and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.
8. Dutch Clark, QB, 1931-1938
Clark was retired by the time my grandfather hit high school, so we’re going purely off credentials here. And Clark’s are indeed impressive: 6-time first-team All-Pro, 3 NFL rushing titles, 2 MVPs, and named the best player of the entire 1930s by the AP.
7. Doak Walker, RB, 1950-1955
The first number the Lions ever retired was Walker’s No. 37. He only played six seasons but was a tremendous all-around weapon. A four-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler, he also served as the team’s kicker. Walker was in the top three in scoring in the league in five of his six seasons. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.
6. Lou Creekmur, OL, 1950-1959
Creekmur made the Pro Bowl every year from 1950-1957 and was first-team All-Pro every year but 1955 in that span. He made the Hall of Fame in 1996 and is regarded as one of the most difficult blockers to beat in NFL history.
5. Calvin Johnson, WR, 2007-2015
No receiver in NFL history has ever had a more prolific season than Johnson in 2012, with 122 receptions for 1,964 yards. Johnson was a 3-time All-Pro and earned six Pro Bowl berths. His three-season peak of 2010-2012 is unparalleled by any WR ever and will get him into the Hall of Fame in the near future despite an abbreviated career.
4. Lem Barney, CB/KR, 1967-1977
The first Lions star to wear No. 20, Barney was a tremendous cover corner but even more renowned for his ability to take the ball away. His 56 career INTs and 25 forced fumbles in just 10 seasons are remarkable rates of taking the ball away. Barney was also one of the best return specialists early in his career, too. A first-team All-Pro in 1968-1969, Barney made seven Pro Bowls. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992.
3. Bobby Layne, QB, 1950-1958
Layne was the starting QB for the most successful era in Lions history, earning 3 first-team All-Pro nods and a spot on the All-Decade team of the 1950s. He was a top-5 passer six times in eight years in Detroit. Just for kicks, he was also a top-10 kicker three times. Layne was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1967.
2. Joe Schmidt, LB, 1953-1965
Schmidt was a transcendent linebacker for over a decade, earning 8 first-team All-Pro honors in 10 years and making the Pro Bowl every season from 1954-1963. Twice he was voted the league’s best defender by his peers. Tackles were not an official statistic during Schmidt’s heyday, but he was regarded as one of the best ever.
1. Barry Sanders, RB, 1989-1998
Sanders was a pretty obvious choice as the greatest Lion ever. No. 3 on the all-time NFL rushing list, Sanders was a highlight reel run waiting to happen with every carry. He never finished worse than 5th in rushing yards and won 4 rushing titles. Sanders made 10 Pro Bowls, 6 first-team All-Pro nods, one MVP and was the RB on the All-Decade team of the 1990s. He did it with a quiet class that belied his superhuman ability to make tacklers miss.
Others considered, in no order: Jason Hanson, Ndamukong Suh, Alex Karras, Charlie Sanders, Jack Christiansen, Chris Spielman, Dick “Night Train” Lane, Yale Lary
