List of Detroit Lions NFL All-Decade Team selections explained

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 (NFC).[1] The franchise was founded in Portsmouth, Ohio, as the Portsmouth Spartans and joined the NFL on July 12, 1930.[2] 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.[3] [4] The team plays its home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.[5]

In 1969, in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the NFL, the Pro Football Hall of Fame identified NFL All-Decade Teams for the first four decades of the history of the league (1920s, 1930s, 1940s and 1950s).[6] Players were selected based solely on their performance during the specified decade, with accomplishments before or after not considered. After each subsequent decade, a new team was identified, with the most recent being selected for the 2010s.[7] Each team has been selected by the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, which is primarily made up of national sportswriters. The Selection Committee is asked to select specific numbers of typical American football positions to construct the team.[6] [8]

From the 1920s to the 2000s, each team was split into first-team and second-team selections, whereas the 2010s Team did not make this distinction.[9] While standard offensive, defensive, and special teams positions have always been included, the position names, types of positions, and the number of positions have changed from decade to decade.[6] For example, due to its greatly reduced usage, the fullback position was not included for the 2010s team and a new "flex" offensive position was added instead.[10]

The Lions have had 23 players named to All-Decade Teams, with at least one player named to all but the 2000s Team.[11] The 1950s Team included eight Lions players, the most the Lions have had selected to one All-Decade Team.[12] Of the 23 Lions named to All-Decade teams, 16 have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and 13 have been inducted into the Pride of the Lions,[13] [14] a permanent display at Ford Field meant to honor the team's greatest players.[15] The Lions' most recent selections were Calvin Johnson and Ndamukong Suh as part of the 2010s Team.[16]

Team selections

Key
SymbolMeaning
Inducted into the Pride of the Lions (the Detroit Lions' ring of honor)
Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Inducted into the Pride of the Lions and Pro Football Hall of Fame
All-Decade
Team		 of Lions
selected		PlayerPositionYears with
Lions
1930s3Tackle[17] [18]
Quarterback, [19]
Guard[20]
1940s4Halfback[21] [22]
Fullback[23]
Halfback[24]
Center[25]
1950s8Safety[26] [27]
Cornerback[28]
Safety, [29]
Quarterback[30]
Running back[31]
Running back[32]
Linebacker[33]
Guard[34]
1960s2Cornerback[35] [36]
Defensive tackle, [37]
1970s1Tight end[38] [39]
1980s1Kicker[40] [41]
1990s2Kick returner[42] [43]
Punt returner
Running back[44]
2000s0[45]
2010s2Wide receiver[46] [47]
Defensive tackle[48]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Why are there divisions and conferences in the NFL? How do they work? . . April 12, 2023 . Astbury . Matt . May 27, 2024 . May 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240529171559/https://www.dazn.com/en-US/news/american-football/why-are-there-divisions-and-conferences-in-the-nfl-how-do-they-work/1shbb9cpvf4th1iwph93x97hgp . live .
  2. Web site: Team Facts . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231206112104/https://www.profootballhof.com/teams/detroit-lions/team-facts/ . December 6, 2023 . November 10, 2023 . Pro Football Hall of Fame.
  3. Web site: Detroit Lions . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231104170345/https://operations.nfl.com/learn-the-game/nfl-basics/team-histories/national-football-conference/north/detroit-lions . November 4, 2023 . November 10, 2023 . National Football League.
  4. Web site: February 2, 2022 . How did your NFL team gets its name? Origins explained for all 32 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230607170953/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32814182/how-did-your-nfl-team-gets-name-origins-explained-all-32 . June 7, 2023 . November 15, 2023 . . en.
  5. Web site: Astbury . Matt . Detroit Lions stadium: What is Ford Field's capacity and does it have a roof? . . June 19, 2024 . January 15, 2024 . June 21, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240621170015/https://www.dazn.com/en-CA/news/football/detroit-lions-stadium-what-is-ford-fields-capacity-and-does-it-have-a-roof/j98185nll5d51crytunmlzhgg . live .
  6. Web site: NFL's All-Decade Teams . . https://web.archive.org/web/20220716023259/https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2020/04/news-nfls-all-decade-teams/ . July 16, 2022 . live . April 9, 2024.
  7. Web site: All-Decade Teams . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240425182538/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/all_decade.htm . April 25, 2024 . live . April 10, 2024.
  8. Web site: Selection Process . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240329193037/https://www.profootballhof.com/hall-of-famers/selection-process/ . March 29, 2024 . live . April 10, 2024.
  9. Web site: Change to all-decade team eliminates virtual rubber stamp into Hall of Fame . . April 6, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240422195827/https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/change-to-all-decade-team-eliminates-rubber-stamp-into-hall-of-fame . April 22, 2024 . live . Williams . Charean . April 22, 2024.
  10. Web site: Kyle Juszczyk not happy fullbacks were excluded from all-decade team . . April 6, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240429230344/https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/kyle-juszczyk-not-happy-fullbacks-were-excluded-from-all-decade-team . April 29, 2024 . live . April 10, 2024.
  11. Web site: All-Decade Teams . . July 23, 2024 . en . April 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240425182538/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/all_decade.htm . live .
  12. Web site: Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Teams – 1950s . . July 23, 2024 . en . March 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230320151810/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/pfhof_all_decade_1950.htm . live .
  13. Web site: Team Greats . . July 23, 2024 . October 9, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241009134357/https://www.profootballhof.com/teams/detroit-lions/team-greats/ . live .
  14. Web site: Detroit Lions to induct Calvin Johnson into Pride of the Lions . . July 15, 2024 . Buczek . Joseph . July 23, 2024 . October 9, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241009134356/https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/detroit-lions-calvin-johnson-pride-of-the-lions/ . live .
  15. Web site: Calvin Johnson Jr. to be inducted into Detroit's Pride of the Lions in Week 4 vs. Seahawks . . July 15, 2024 . Patra . Kevin . October 16, 2024.
  16. News: Birkett . Dave . Ex-Detroit Lions Calvin Johnson, Ndamukong Suh make NFL all-decade team of 2010s . July 23, 2024 . . April 6, 2020 . February 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230208081204/https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/06/detroit-lions-calvin-johnson-ndamukong-suh-nfl-all-decade-team/2954904001/ . live .
  17. Web site: Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Teams – 1930s . . May 13, 2024 . en . December 5, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221205210306/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/pfhof_all_decade_1930.htm . live .
  18. Web site: George Christensen Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College . . May 13, 2024 . en . May 13, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240513175127/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ChriGe20.htm . live .
  19. Web site: Dutch Clark Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240516033245/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ClarDu20.htm . May 16, 2024 . live . May 13, 2024 . en .
  20. Web site: Ox Emerson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College . . May 13, 2024 . en . May 13, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240513175127/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/EmerOx20.htm . live .
  21. Web site: Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Teams – 1940s . . May 13, 2024 . en . March 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230320163250/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/pfhof_all_decade_1940.htm . live .
  22. Web site: Bill Dudley Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226200937/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DudlBi00.htm . February 26, 2024 . live . May 28, 2024 . en .
  23. Web site: Pat Harder Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College . . May 28, 2024 . en . March 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230319220037/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HardPa00.htm . live .
  24. Web site: Whizzer White Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College . . May 28, 2024 . en . December 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231203102216/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WhitWh00.htm . live .
  25. Web site: Alex Wojciechowicz Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College . . May 28, 2024 . en . December 5, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231205015846/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WojcAl20.htm . live .
  26. Web site: Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Teams – 1950s . . May 13, 2024 . en . March 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230320151810/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/pfhof_all_decade_1950.htm . live .
  27. Web site: Jack Christiansen Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240118212236/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ChriJa00.htm . January 18, 2024 . live . May 28, 2024 . en .
  28. Web site: Night Train Lane Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240410231632/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LaneDi00.htm . April 10, 2024 . live . May 28, 2024 . en .
  29. Web site: Yale Lary Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240118212435/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LaryYa00.htm . January 18, 2024 . live . May 28, 2024 . en .
  30. Web site: Bobby Layne Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College . . May 28, 2024 . en . April 6, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230406093953/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LaynBo00.htm . live .
  31. Web site: Ollie Matson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College . . May 28, 2024 . en . January 16, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240116132014/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MatsOl00.htm . live .
  32. Web site: Hugh McElhenny Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College . . May 28, 2024 . en . October 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030185219/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McElHu00.htm . live .
  33. Web site: Joe Schmidt Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240516033248/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SchmJo00.htm . May 16, 2024 . live . May 28, 2024 . en .
  34. Web site: Dick Stanfel Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College . . May 28, 2024 . en . October 31, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231031185541/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StanDi00.htm . live .
  35. Web site: Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Teams – 1960s . . May 13, 2024 . en . March 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230320160958/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/pfhof_all_decade_1960.htm . live .
  36. Web site: Lem Barney Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College . . May 13, 2024 . en . January 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230117124818/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BarnLe00.htm . live .
  37. Web site: Alex Karras Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240509204610/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KarrAl00.htm . May 9, 2024 . live . May 13, 2024 . en .
  38. Web site: Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Teams – 1970s . . May 13, 2024 . en . February 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240211195023/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/pfhof_all_decade_1970.htm . live .
  39. Web site: Charlie Sanders Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225062800/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SandCh01.htm . February 25, 2024 . live . May 13, 2024 . en .
  40. Web site: Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Teams – 1980s . . May 13, 2024 . en . June 25, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230625211551/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/pfhof_all_decade_1980.htm . live .
  41. Web site: Eddie Murray Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240118211709/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/murraedd01.htm . January 18, 2024 . live . May 13, 2024 . en .
  42. Web site: Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Teams – 1990s . . May 13, 2024 . en . March 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230320164424/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/pfhof_all_decade_1990.htm . live .
  43. Web site: Mel Gray Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240224061545/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GrayMe00.htm . February 24, 2024 . live . May 13, 2024 . en .
  44. Web site: Barry Sanders Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240409033009/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SandBa00.htm . April 9, 2024 . live . May 13, 2024 . en .
  45. Web site: Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Teams – 2000s . . May 13, 2024 . en . October 2, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221002051457/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/pfhof_all_decade_2000.htm . live .
  46. Web site: Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Teams – 2010s . . May 13, 2024 . en . January 16, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240116131821/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/pfhof_all_decade_2010.htm . live .
  47. Web site: Calvin Johnson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240427221252/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JohnCa00.htm . April 27, 2024 . live . May 13, 2024 . en .
  48. Web site: Ndamukong Suh Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College . . May 13, 2024 . en . April 10, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240410101754/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SuhxNd99.htm . live .

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