Who are the 5 greatest Detroit Lions players of all-time?

Your Detroit Lions are ditching the Same Old Lions moniker. Let’s take a look at some same old Lions … some of the greatest in players in franchise history.

The Detroit Lions haven’t had a whole lot of success at winning football games for the past 60 years or so, but they have had some excellent players along the way.

The Lions have put some players on the field that have been some of the leagues most electrifying and exciting players to watch. These are my five greatest Detroit Lions of all-time…

5. Dick Lane, CB (1960-1965)

Dick “Night Train” Lane is an obvious choice here. Lane played at the cornerback position for the Lions from 1960-1965. Before coming to Detroit, he spent six years with the Chicago Cardinals (1954-1959) and two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams (1952-1953).

Dick Lane was a premier player at his position. He garnished himself seven Pro Bowl appearances (three with Detroit) and three First-Team All-Pro nods (two with Detroit). Night Train was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974.

While Dick Lane was selected to the Pro-Bowl in his first three seasons with the Lions. In 1961 and 1962 he found himself honored with First-Team All-Pro bids. Night Train was a feared player in the secondary for good reason.

While with the Detroit Lions, Lane appeared in 66 games with 58 starts. Within them 66 games Lane registered 21 interceptions, four fumble returns, and one touchdown.

Looking at Night Train’s entire body of work in the NFL he was purely astonishing. In Lane’s 14-year career he played in 157 games with 145 starts. Lane has a career total of 68 interceptions for 1,207 yards and five touchdowns. He also has 11 fumble returns for 57 yards and one more score.

I didn’t get the pleasure of watching Dick Lane play. I have watched some replays and highlights of his play though. Between the little I have seen and the history I have read, it is clear to me that Night Train was a great Lion.