SideLion Report
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Top 5 former Lions who won a Super Bowl after leaving Detroit

By Payne Schanski

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Kyle Van Noy #53 of the New England Patriots reacts after the Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 during Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Kyle Van Noy #53 of the New England Patriots reacts after the Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 during Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

1. Cliff Avril– Defensive End (2008-12)

As a Lion: Avril was a rookie during the infamous 0-16 season in 2008, and developed into a regular starter and borderline Pro Bowl candidate in Detroit. During his next four seasons, Avril was a near-star on a fast improving defensive line, including 11 sacks, six forced fumbles, and two defensive touchdowns in 2011, with the game-sealing interception return to clinch the Lions’ return to the playoffs.

He probably was a beneficiary of the massive amount of attention that Ndamukong Suh required from opposing offensive lines, but Avril was a key piece to the defense during that time. Losing him to free agency right in the middle of his prime left a lot of fans with a bad taste, with disputes over whether Avril initially wanted to leave or felt forced out. If I remember right, my brother didn’t take the news of his departure very well, and still might hold a grudge over the way Cliff left Detroit.

Super Bowl moment: After taking a smaller role and less money than he could have earned in Detroit, Avril immediately got his reward in the 2013 season in Seattle. Despite only starting two games, Avril racked up eight sacks and the ‘Legion of Boom’ took care of the rest, rolling Peyton Manning and the Broncos 43-8 in Super Bowl XLVIII. Avril started the scoring in the Super Bowl by tackling Knowshon Moreno in the end zone for a safety.

Out of the guys on this list, I put Avril as number one mainly due to what could have been had he remained in Detroit, even for just two more years. The 2014 Lions were as close to a Super Bowl contender as we’ve had in decades, with the #2 overall defense and arguably the best defensive line in the league already.

Anchored by Ndamukong Suh and Ziggy Ansah*, now picture that same defense and add Cliff Avril in his prime. A little disheartening to think about, isn’t it? Not only that, but he won his Super Bowl ring the very next year.  I wonder if my brother has forgiven him for that murky contract dispute yet.

Next. Ranking every Detroit Lions team from the last 25 years. dark

*I know, if Avril stayed, Ziggy might not have been drafted by Detroit to begin with; but maybe he still would, so that’s the hypothetical I went with, and that would have been an unbelievable defensive line, period.

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