Detroit Lions’ top 10 defensive players of all time
DETROIT (BVM) — The Detroit Lions have featured a number of all-time great defensive players over the years. Seven of the pride’s top defenders are Hall of Famers. Here are the 10 best in franchise history.
10. Bennie Blades, FS, 1988-96
The hard-hitting free safety from South Florida left his mark in Detroit. Blades is No. 2 all time in tackles for the Lions. The 6-foot, 220-pound playmaker places seventh in franchise history with nine forced fumbles. He played a big part in Detroit winning two division titles. Blades earned an All-Pro selection in 1991.
Bennie Blades saying hello to Tom Waddle #NFL #DetroitLions pic.twitter.com/t3FH1RTdg8
— Football History by SGPN (@FootballSGPN) May 14, 2022
9. Richard “Night Train” Lane, DB, 1960-65
“Night Train” Lane put fear into the hearts of his opponents. Lane grabbed 21 picks during his Lions career. In addition, he scored first-team All-Pro awards in 1961 and 1962. The Night Train’s final stop would be Canton, Ohio at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974.
“Old Days”A DB feared by all Receivers and RBs in The 1950s and 1960s NFL,Dick”Night Train”Lane.#Rams #Cardinals #Lions #Detroit #1950s pic.twitter.com/vHN5uJSzGL
— Tom's Old Days (@sigg20) December 12, 2019
8. Chris Spielman, MLB, 1988-95
No. 54 is the all-time leader in tackles (1,138) for the Lions by a wide stretch. The Ohio native ties for third in franchise history with 17 fumble recoveries. Spielman posted four Pro Bowl seasons and a first-team All-Pro pick with Detroit.
Ahead of his induction into the Pride of the Lions on Sunday, enjoy a #TBT look back at Chris Spielman's career in Detroit! pic.twitter.com/sjEAwyyDxp
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 28, 2021
7. Jack Christiansen, S, 1951-58
It’s no coincidence that just after Christiansen arrived, Detroit won two consecutive league crowns. The star safety picked off 46 passes, which charts him at No. 4 all time in Motown. Christiansen seized first-team All-Pro honors in six straight seasons (1952-1957) with the Lions.
https://twitter.com/Ol_TimeFootball/status/1431732719164166147
6. Dick LeBeau, CB, 1959-72
LeBeau leads the franchise with 62 career INTs. To add, he’s No. 3 all-time in picks returned for a TD. Detroit’s brilliant defensive back banked two second-team All-Pro years and three successive Pro Bowls with the pride. In 2010, LeBeau was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Most career INT in Detroit #Lions history:
1. Dick LeBeau (62)
2. Lem Barney (56)
3. Yale Lary (50)
4. Jack Christiansen (46)
5. Jim David (36)pic.twitter.com/vOwJCsPd20— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) September 7, 2022
5. Yale Lary, DB, 1952-64
The Lions captured three NFL championships with Lary. He racked up 50 interceptions as a Lion, which is third in team history. Lary made nine Pro Bowl teams and logged first-team All-Pro years in 1956, 1958 and 1962. He’s a Hall of Famer as well.
HOF safety Yale Lary with a nice playing coming out of secondary for tackle for loss on Vitamin T. Smith pic.twitter.com/W2VhnJNRnj
— ᑭᖇO ᖴOOTᗷᗩᒪᒪ ᒍOᑌᖇᑎᗩᒪ 🏈 (@NFL_Journal) August 25, 2022
4. Robert Porcher, DE, 1992-2003
The South Carolina-born defensive end ranks second all-time for the franchise with 95.5 sacks. And he ranks seventh all-time in tackles. The 6-foot-3, 275-pound powerhouse adds three Pro Bowls to his resume. Porcher owns the franchise record with 18 forced fumbles.
#Lions Legend Robert Porcher talks about his Thanksgiving Day memories with @MikeOHaraNFL presented by @BETMGM. pic.twitter.com/MfRHFqeC4N
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 24, 2020
3. Alex Karras, DT, 1958-70
“The Mad Duck” created mayhem for the opposition. Karras tops the Lions with 100 career sacks. What’s more, he sits second all-time with 18 fumble recoveries. The Honolulu Blue and silver’s Hall of Fame tackle totaled three first-team All-Pro accolades.
Enjoy these highlights from Alex Karras' #Lions career.
Congratulations, Karras family. pic.twitter.com/SHRX5LFjPt
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) May 2, 2021
2. Lem Barney, CB, 1967-77
The dynamite defensive back from Jackson St. burst on the scene, taking NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He slots No. 2 in career INTs (56) for the Honolulu Blue. Barney is tied at No. 3 in fumble recoveries (17) for Detroit. Plus, he added two first-team All-Pro campaigns and seven Pro Bowl selections. In 1992, Barney got called to Canton for induction into the Hall of Fame.
The ubiquitous Lem Barney, #Lions legend
Cornerback, sticker, ballhawk, return man, and for two seasons even a full-time punter. Could do it all.
PFHOFer pic.twitter.com/mB0ZQh9G9a
— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) February 25, 2022
1. Joe Schmidt, MLB, 1953-65
Schmidt shares third place in team history with 17 fumble recoveries. He snared 24 INTs — from the middle linebacker position. Schmidt tallied 10 Pro Bowls and paces the pride defense with eight first-team All-Pro selections.
Happy Birthday to Hall of Famer Joe Schmidt!#HBD | @Lions pic.twitter.com/ewMzAKX3sB
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) January 18, 2022
