Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions are a National Football League team based in Detroit, Michigan. The team began play in 1930 as the Portsmouth Spartans, one of the league's small town teams, but moved to Detroit in 1934 due to the Great Depression.

Players of note

Current roster

Pro Football Hall of Famers

• Dutch Clark, QB (1963)
• Bill Dudley, HB (1966)
• Bobby Layne, QB (1967)
• Alex Wojciechowicz, C, LB (1968)
• Jack Christiansen, DB (1970)
• Joe Schmidt, LB (1973)
• Dick "Night Train" Lane, DB (1974)
• Yale Lary, DB, P (1979)
• Doak Walker, HB (1986)
• Lem Barney, DB (1992)
• Lou Creekmur, G, T (1996)
• Barry Sanders, RB (2004)

Retired numbers

• Dutch Clark (7)
• Lem Barney (20)
• Billy Sims (20)
• Barry Sanders (20)
• Note: The #20 was retired specifically for Sanders, but most people recognize the retired number as representing Barney and Sims, both of whom are noteworthy Lions, as well.
• Bobby Layne (22)
• Doak Walker (37)
• Joe Schmidt (56)
• Chuck Hughes (85)
• Note: Hughes died of a heart attack during a game on October 24, 1971, and his number was unofficially retired in that no player has worn it since. Currently, receiver Kevin Johnson is wearing #85 after asking permission from the Hughes family as he has worn that number throughout his professional career.
• Charlie Sanders (88)
• Note: The #88 has been in and out of the rotation in recent years. Currently, it is being used by wide receiver Mike Williams.

Not to be forgotten

• Jerry Ball
• Lomas Brown
• Roger Brown
• Jeff Chadwick
• Mel Farr
• Alex Karras
• Greg Landry
• Dick LeBeau
• Chuck Long
• Herman Moore
• Rodney Peete
• Milt Plum
• Robert Porcher
• Glenn Presnell
• Billy Sims
• Chris Spielman
• Pat Swilling
• Wayne Walker