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List of Detroit Lions in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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Joe Schmidt, a linebacker and former head coach for the Lions

The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. The Lions compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the North Division of the National Football Conference.[1] The franchise was founded in Portsmouth, Ohio, as the Portsmouth Spartans and joined the NFL on July 12, 1930, making them the fifth oldest franchise in the league.[2][3] After being purchased by George A. Richards in 1934, the franchise was relocated to Detroit and renamed to the Detroit Lions in reference to the city's Major League Baseball franchise, the Detroit Tigers.[4][5]

In 1963, the Pro Football Hall of Fame was created to honor the history of professional American football and the individuals who have greatly influenced it.[6] Since the charter induction class of 1963, 24 individuals who have played, coached, or held an administrative position for the Lions have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Of the 24 inductees, 17 made their primary contribution to football with the Lions, while the other 7 contributed only a minor portion of their career with the Lions.[7] Dwight Freeney was the most recent Lion selected to the Hall of Fame as part of the 2024 class.

Inductees

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Dick "Night Train" Lane, a defensive back who played six seasons for the Lions
Barry Sanders, a running back who played ten seasons for the Lions
Calvin Johnson, wide receiver who played nine seasons for the Lions
Doak Walker, a halfback and kicker who played six seasons for the Lions
Main article: List of Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees
Detroit Lions in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Class Inductee Position(s) Seasons with
the Lions 		Career accomplishments
All-Pros Pro Bowls[A] Awards Refs
First-team Second-team
1963 Dutch Clark Quarterback 1931–1932
1934–1938 		6 0 0 1930s All-Decade Team
100th Anniversary All-Time Team 		[8][9][10][11]
General manager 1936–1938 N/A N/A N/A
Head coach 1937–1938 N/A N/A N/A
1966 Bill Dudley Halfback 1947–1949 4 2 2 1× MVPTooltip NFL Most Valuable Player Award (1946)
1940s All-Decade Team 		[12][13]
1967 Bobby Layne Quarterback 1950–1958 2 4 6 1950s All-Decade Team [14][15]
1968 Alex Wojciechowicz Center
Linebacker 		1938–1946 2 0 0 1940s All-Decade Team [16][17]
1970 Jack Christiansen Defensive back 1951–1958 6 0 5 1950s All-Decade Team [18][19]
Hugh McElhenny Halfback 1964 5 0 6 1950s All-Decade Team
100th Anniversary All-Time Team 		[20][21]
1972 Ollie Matson Running back 1963 7 0 6 1950s All-Decade Team [22][23]
1973 Joe Schmidt Linebacker 1953–1965 8 2 10 1950s All-Decade Team
100th Anniversary All-Time Team 		[24][25][26]
Coach 1966–1972 N/A N/A N/A
1974 Dick Lane Cornerback 1960–1965 7 0 7 1950s All-Decade Team
50th Anniversary All-Time Team
75th Anniversary All-Time Team
100th Anniversary All-Time Team 		[27][28]
1979 Yale Lary Defensive back
Punter 		1952–1953
1956–1964 		3 2 9 1950s All-Decade Team [29][30]
1985 Frank Gatski Center 1957 4 0 1 [31][32]
1986 Doak Walker Halfback
Kicker 		1950–1955 4 0 5 [33][34]
1987 John Henry Johnson Fullback 1957–1959 0 2 4 [35][36]
1992 Lem Barney Defensive back 1967–1977 2 0 7 1× DROYTooltip NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award (1967)
1960s All-Decade Team 		[37][38]
1996 Lou Creekmur Offensive lineman 1950–1959 7 0 8 [39][40]
1997 Don Shula Coach 1960–1962 N/A N/A N/A [41][42]
2004 Barry Sanders Running back 1989–1998 6 4 10 1× MVPTooltip NFL Most Valuable Player Award (1997)
2× OPOYTooltip NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award (1994, 1997)
1× OROYTooltip NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award (1989)
1990s All-Decade Team
100th Anniversary All-Time Team 		[43][44]
2007 Charlie Sanders Tight end 1968–1977 3 0 7 1970s All-Decade Team [45][46]
2010 Dick LeBeau Defensive back 1959–1972 0 3 3 [47][48]
2013 Curley Culp Defensive tackle 1980–1981 1 4 6 1× DPOYTooltip NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award (1975) [49][50]
2016 Dick Stanfel Guard 1952–1955 5 0 5 1950s All-Decade Team [51][52]
2020 Alex Karras Defensive tackle 1958–1970 3 6 4 1960s All-Decade Team [53][54]
2021 Calvin Johnson Wide receiver 2007–2015 3 1 6 2010s All-Decade Team [55][56]
2024 Dwight Freeney Defensive end 2017 3 1 7 2000s All-Decade Team [57][58]

Footnotes

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  1. ^ Includes all selections to the NFL All-Star team (1939–1942), the Pro Bowl (1951–present), and the AFL All-Star game (1961–1969).

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Astbury, Matt (April 12, 2023). "Why are there divisions and conferences in the NFL? How do they work?". DAZN. Archived from the original on May 29, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  2. ^ "Team Facts". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on December 6, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  3. ^ "List of all the Pro Football Franchises". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  4. ^ "Detroit Lions". National Football League. Archived from the original on November 4, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  5. ^ "How did your NFL team gets its name? Origins explained for all 32". ESPN. February 2, 2022. Archived from the original on June 7, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  6. ^ ""This is Football Heaven"". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on June 19, 2024. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  7. ^ "Hall of Famers by Franchise – Hall of Famers". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on October 27, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  8. ^ "Earl (Dutch) Clark". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  9. ^ "Dutch Clark Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  10. ^ "Detroit Lions Executives & Owners". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  11. ^ "Detroit Lions Coaches". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on September 8, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  12. ^ "Bill Dudley". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on May 7, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  13. ^ "Bill Dudley Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  14. ^ "Bobby Layne". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on October 31, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  15. ^ "Bobby Layne Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  16. ^ "Alex Wojciechowicz". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on June 30, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  17. ^ "Alex Wojciechowicz Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  18. ^ "Jack Christiansen". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on December 28, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  19. ^ "Jack Christiansen Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  20. ^ "Hugh McElhenny". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on December 27, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  21. ^ "Hugh McElhenny Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  22. ^ "Ollie Matson". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  23. ^ "Ollie Matson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  24. ^ "Joe Schmidt". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on March 4, 2024. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  25. ^ "Joe Schmidt Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  26. ^ "Joe Schmidt Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  27. ^ "Dick (Night Train) Lane". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on June 29, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  28. ^ "Dick Lane Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  29. ^ "Yale Lary". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on June 30, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  30. ^ "Yale Lary Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  31. ^ "Frank Gatski". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on July 1, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  32. ^ "Frank Gatski Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  33. ^ "Doak Walker". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on February 27, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  34. ^ "Doak Walker Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on August 6, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  35. ^ "John Henry Johnson". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on February 18, 2009. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  36. ^ "John Henry Johnson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  37. ^ "Lem Barney". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on June 29, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  38. ^ "Lem Barney Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  39. ^ "Lou Creekmur". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on June 29, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  40. ^ "Lou Creekmur Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  41. ^ "Don Shula". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  42. ^ "Don Shula Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  43. ^ "Barry Sanders". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  44. ^ "Barry Sanders Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 9, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  45. ^ "Charlie Sanders". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on July 31, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  46. ^ "Charlie Sanders Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 25, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  47. ^ "Dick LeBeau". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on June 29, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  48. ^ "Dick LeBeau Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  49. ^ "Curley Culp". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on June 29, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  50. ^ "Curley Culp Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  51. ^ "Dick Stanfel". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on June 29, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  52. ^ "Dick Stanfel Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  53. ^ "Alex Karras". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on December 18, 2021. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  54. ^ "Alex Karras Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  55. ^ "Calvin Johnson". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on February 7, 2021. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  56. ^ "Calvin Johnson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 27, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  57. ^ "Dwight Freeney". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on February 7, 2021. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  58. ^ "Dwight Freeney Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
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