Detroit Lions: 30 greatest players in franchise history
player. 50. . Running Back, Kicker, Punter. (1950-1955). Doak Walker. 15
Ewell Doak Walker II was another short-term Lion legend from the 1950s that impacted the game in several different areas. Walker affected the game primarily as a part of the offense from his left halfback position, but he was also a special teams standout as he performed kicking and punting duties for his team.
During his first year in the NFL, Walker was 92.7 percent on extra point attempts as he made 38 for 41. The next year in 1951, he was even better as he made 43 of 44 extra points and in 1954, he was a perfect 43 for 43.
Incredibly, even during Bobby Layne’s heyday as the Lions’ hurler, Walker even saw some time at quarterback! He only completed 25 percent of his 28 pass attempts, but two of his seven completions went for touchdowns. That should count for something, right?
To hammer the point home even further about his football versatility, Walker also chipped in on the defensive side of the ball and he had two career interceptions to show for it.
Though he may not have been the star of Detroit’s passing game, the former SMU Mustang was decidedly electric for his era as an offensive weapon. Beginning in 1950, Walker immediately put his unique stamp on the game by scoring 11 touchdowns (five rushing, six receiving) on 118 total touches during the 12-game regular season.
Voted as a first-team All-Pro consecutively during the 1950-1951 and the 1953-1954 seasons, Walker being reunited with his former high school quarterback from Highland Park, Texas (more on that school later), Layne, was pure magic for Detroit’s offense and tragic for the defenses they faced.
Walker made the Pro Bowl each year of his career save for the 1952 season. After he hung up his cleats for good in 1955, Detroit awarded him the distinction of being the first player in franchise history to have his jersey number (No. 37) retired.
Walker was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1959. He was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986 by his longtime friend/teammate Bobby Layne.
Another great honor was bestowed upon him in 1990, as the NCAA debuted the Doak Walker Award, one of college football’s top prizes. It is given annually to the best running back in the NCAA.