OT: A List of Obscure / Favorite Lions
i'm not one for creating board posts, but at the gym this morning i was thinking about how long i've been a fan (a.k.a. "victim") of this team, and how much fun i'm having with this team right now.
then i was remembering that greg landry was my first favorite football player. then charlie sanders, and altie taylor, and lem barney (i got his autograph, once), and mike lucci (oh, man i LOVED mike lucci), and steve owens, and...
okay, old farts and less-scarred younguns. your list of lions. no barry sanders, no calvin, no stafford, just your list of Guys.
January 23rd, 2024 at 10:26 AM ^
Yes. Last Lions game I went to a) at the dome, and b) with my father. The Zinter injury took me right back to that moment.
January 23rd, 2024 at 9:39 AM ^
In 1971 I was a 7th grader at Cranbrook and back then we literally shared lockers (and showers) with the Detroit Lions players for the first two weeks of school. I played football back then and one day I hurt my ankle in practice and got sent back up to the locker room and literally got run over by Alex Karris because he just got cut and I was standing in his way out of the the gym. He was beyond pissed and I dont think he ever even saw, much less felt, me as he barreled me over.
My other memory was being a 12 year old boy who was a very later bloomer physically (pubic hair and other parts of my body were more 8 year old than 12 if you know what I mean) and I had to share showers with the Lions. Lem Barney was the first adult male I saw naked and to say it was terrifying (and incredibly humbling) was an understatement. Different times obviously.
Favorite random Lions - Mel Farr (superstar), Greg Landry, Earl McCullough, Billy Sims & Andre Ware
January 23rd, 2024 at 9:52 AM ^
Well la-tee-da, rich boy.
January 23rd, 2024 at 10:08 AM ^
I always suspected MGrowOld's real name was Clarence (and that he's not a gangster).
January 23rd, 2024 at 10:26 AM ^
Well I did have real nice parents.
January 23rd, 2024 at 10:04 AM ^
Getting run over by the MAD DUCK is an awesome story!
You are slightly older then I.
Before MJ was drafted we would watch the Bulls practice and we would shag loose balls for the warm ups at Angel Guardian. 4th grade H2V friends dared me but I approached Artis Gilmore (all 7'1" of him) and asked if he would play on my YMCA league team. Artis was amused and very cool and asked me questions as to when and where.
Sure enough on that Saturday morning he showed up and swatted away 4th graders and dunked over our opponent. He then had everyone in the YMCA league sit in a circle as he discussed asking for what you want in life and being brave enough to do so.
MJ first two years Angel Guardian was still open to the public and we were still shagging balls. Bob Love, Gilmore, Bullwinkle we all very cool in the day. MJ was also patient with the kids. Orlando Woolridge was the only player I remember avoiding as not approachable.
January 23rd, 2024 at 10:57 AM ^
that's an amazing story, thanks for sharing it.
a-train was one of the first guys i remember thinking was a totally different species than i.
January 23rd, 2024 at 11:22 AM ^
Funny story about Orlando Woolridge. He was not always unapproachable, at least not like you think. Friend of mine played hoops with him on the Notre Dame team, and told me of a game where they played some Eastern European national team. I don’t know if it was Belarus or Yugoslavia, or whatever. Anyway, one of the guys was up, taking free throws and Orlando was just trash talking him, foul mouth beyond belief, but the guy, of course, couldn’t understand one word about Orlando was saying. Orlando was smiling, and gesturing the whole time, as if he was saying hello. It was hysterical.
January 23rd, 2024 at 10:35 AM ^
I met Willie Green, and Chris Spielman back in feb/March of 91 or 92 (can’t remember the year) I was in high school and the lions were touring the state playing charity games against teachers. It was very much like a globe trotters game.
The whole town jammed the gym that cold night. I got to let the players into the locker room as they arrived and hung out a little with them Spielman showed up in a grey hoodie with a huge dip under his lip Willie green had a track suit on but some amazing gold chains and a ridiculous watch from my memory All good guys generally seemed happy to be spending time in small town mid Michigan
Jerry ball was there , though I didn’t meet him. But Ball stole the show. He drained a shot from about 3 steps inside of half court and then wowed the crowd with a two handed dunk. Spielman ran around the gym with an OSU flag and was booed mercilessly. All in good fun. At halftime they signed autographs and the lines were endless. I don’t remember the other players that played but those three left an impression.
January 23rd, 2024 at 2:19 PM ^
We had a one of those basketball games at my high school too, except it was Lions vs Packers. Eddie Murray dropkicked several baskets.
January 23rd, 2024 at 8:33 PM ^
That would've been amazing to see. Steady Eddie was taken for granted (I think). Also to be replaced by Hanson... The Lions were spoiled for 2 decades ish with kickers...
January 23rd, 2024 at 9:40 AM ^
Joe Don Looney..Yale Larry..Dick 'Night Train' Lane..Joe Schmidt..Terry Barr ( UM player)...Jim Gibbons..Roger Brown ( 1st 300 lb.freak)..Harley Sewell ( longtime o-lineman)..Gail Cogdill..Alex Karris..Larry Hand..Dick Lebeau..Dr.Jack Christianson..Tobin Rote ( back up qb who started 57 champ game)...Lem Barney...Bobby Lane...Amos Marsh..Van Patrick ( Lions play by play man)
January 23rd, 2024 at 9:41 AM ^
Stoney Case
January 23rd, 2024 at 9:41 AM ^
Leonard Thompson
Bob Kowalkowski
James Hunter
Jeff Komlo
Bill Munson
January 24th, 2024 at 7:15 AM ^
Don't forget Micheal Farr. Mel's son played for the Lions too...
January 23rd, 2024 at 9:43 AM ^
Doug English from the "Silver Rush"...
Billy Sims... A potential future HOF who had his career cut waaaaaayyyyy to short because of a terrible knee injury
Bennie Blades and Jerry Ball...
January 23rd, 2024 at 9:57 AM ^
I'm pretty sure the first sports opinion I can remember expressing was over a bowl of Cap'n Krunch to my brother in our Livernois Ave kitchen when I claimed "I bet Billy Sims could jump over our fridge". Think he replied by just singing "Duh duh duh, another one bites the dust". AH. Jimmy "Spiderman" Allen does not get enough love
January 23rd, 2024 at 9:46 AM ^
Jerry Ball
Ray Crockett
Desmond Howard
Johnny Morton
David Sloan
Dre' Bly
January 23rd, 2024 at 9:46 AM ^
Mel Farr Superstar.....for a Farr better deal!!
January 23rd, 2024 at 9:50 AM ^
When I was a young kid back in 1981, my Uncle's girlfriend at the time had a brother who was some high up in security at the Silverdome. I don't remember the exact opponent we played that day (I was like 7 years old), but somehow they got me onto the sideline before the game and then into the locker room after and I got to meet Bills Sims and Eric Hipple, so those guys always stuck with me throughout my life. This was of course pre everyone having cameras on them at all times, so I didn't get any pics, autographs or anything, but I still remember how cool it was!
January 23rd, 2024 at 9:51 AM ^
- Kevin Jones
- Scottie Vines
- Johnnie Morton
- Joique Bell
January 23rd, 2024 at 12:37 PM ^
Joique Bell! the pride of Wayne State!
January 23rd, 2024 at 1:35 PM ^
Met Joique once thru his Aunt, I worked with her for about 20 years. She was so proud of her nephew Joique and talked me into going to a couple of his high school games.
January 23rd, 2024 at 9:52 AM ^
James Jones
Gary James
January 23rd, 2024 at 10:10 AM ^
I think you mean Gary James Jones.
January 23rd, 2024 at 9:53 AM ^
Barry Sanders. You can't tell me what to do. I thought I was a Lions fan in the 1990s but then after Barry retired, I stopped watching the Lions. Discovered that I was actually a Barry Sanders fan.
January 23rd, 2024 at 9:54 AM ^
Corey Schlesinger
Bennie Blades
Robert Porche
Tracy Scroggins
Our best WR trio ever: Herman Moore, Brett Perriman, Johnny Morton
January 23rd, 2024 at 9:55 AM ^
George Plimpton, QB, Newfoundland Newfs
January 23rd, 2024 at 9:56 AM ^
Remember when 36 year-old Dave Krieg came off the bench for an injured Scott Mitchell and led the Lions to a wild card berth?
January 23rd, 2024 at 9:58 AM ^
For reasons that I can't understand, my nephew's favorite players on this Lions team (even though he is currently injured) is none other than long-snapper Scott Daly. Took him to a game last year wearing his Scott Daly jersey. Got there early to watch warm-ups and Scott Daly came over and talked to my nephew for a long time and signed his jersey. Said it was the first person he's ever seen wear his jersey that wasn't in his family.
I'm not sure you can get more obscure than that.
January 23rd, 2024 at 10:46 AM ^
Speaking of long snappers, remember the Jareth Glanda look-what-I-found recovery of the botched field goal attempt against VaTech in the 2012 Sugar Bowl? That was awesome.
January 23rd, 2024 at 10:00 AM ^
Scott Mitchell *DUCKS*
Kidding of course. Mel Gray was my dude. Loved Jerry Ball and Robert Porcher too.
January 23rd, 2024 at 10:58 AM ^
delete - apologies, replied in the wrong spot*
January 23rd, 2024 at 11:00 AM ^
Scott Mitchell *DUCKS*
I saw Scott Mitchell one offseason in the the spring of 1996 up at Carl's Golfland on Telegraph. I couldn't believe what a fatass he was. Like sloppy-fat. I knew then we were going nowhere the next season. Turned out I was right ... Lions fell off a cliff that year, and Mitchell went from borderline star performer to total suck.
January 23rd, 2024 at 1:12 PM ^
Similar story, my brother is a Mormon and back in that day, I would play Saturday Church league basketball with him.
Well sure enough, one day Scott Mitchell came to play. First impression, OMG its Scott Mitchell... Second impression... OMG look how soft / fat he is!!! Who in their right mind would give this dough boy millions?
FYI - I get it was just a Church league game, but what a wuss he was on the court....
January 23rd, 2024 at 11:34 AM ^
Gary Danielson *DUCKS*
January 23rd, 2024 at 2:23 PM ^
Mel Gray was deadly in Super Tecmo Bowl.
January 23rd, 2024 at 10:00 AM ^
I had Mike Lucci, Charlie Sanders and Lem Barney photos hanging on my wall when I was a kid.
Dick LeBeau
Earl McCullouch
Favorite Buckeye: Chris Spielman
January 23rd, 2024 at 11:20 AM ^
I idolized Lem Barney when I played Peewee football in the late sixties.
January 23rd, 2024 at 10:01 AM ^
1. Lots of old timers - back when there was only 1 player in the NFL over 300 lbs (Roger Brown, DT), and huge was 6'4" 250-260 lbs.
2. Chuck Hughes
January 23rd, 2024 at 11:35 AM ^
Chuck Hughes, RIP
January 23rd, 2024 at 10:03 AM ^
Jason Hanson.
Lifetime Lion and one of the best at his position. Not many can claim both of those outside of the aforementioned in OP.
Donte Curry
Bobby Ross going for 2 against Arizona.
Morhninweg taking the wind on OT vs Chicago
January 23rd, 2024 at 11:16 AM ^
Garo Yepremian - “I keek a touchdown”.
January 23rd, 2024 at 2:12 PM ^
I have attended NUMEROUS timeshare presentations as a Hilton Diamond member as time-share is a horrific investment time share presentation is a tremendous investment! I met Garo Yepremian at the end of a time share where he offers to sign a football if you purchase from them.
90 minutes, must say no 5X, stay in 5* resorts all over the USA/MEXICO/EURPOE at the cost of taxes offset by $500 worth of VISA gift cards or amenities.
January 23rd, 2024 at 2:30 PM ^
From 1980 - 2012 the Lions only had two kickers.
January 23rd, 2024 at 10:05 AM ^
Billy Sims (I'd been a Lions fan since about 1976, but he was the one who got my Lions fandom roaring)
Jerry Ball (I saw video of him dunking a basketball. The dude was 6'1", 300+ pounds!)
Lomas Brown
Bubba Baker
Doug English
Spielman and Blades (I covered a preseason game their rookie year for a local newspaper and got a chance to interview them)
January 23rd, 2024 at 10:13 AM ^
Desmond Howard
Scott Dreisbach
Drew Henson
Remy Hamilton