<strong>2012</strong> <strong>Detroit</strong> <strong>Lions</strong> History Book
A Brief History of tHe <strong>Lions</strong> <strong>Detroit</strong> welcomed the <strong>Lions</strong> in 1934, but it was not the area’s first look at professional football. in 1920, the <strong>Detroit</strong> Heralds were a charter member of the American Professional Football Association, which was the original name of the present NFL, but the club folded after two years. the <strong>Detroit</strong> Panthers appeared in 1925, but also folded after two seasons. in 1928, the <strong>Detroit</strong> Wolverines were formed, but they failed after just one year. in 1930, the then-10-year-old National Football League added a franchise from Portsmouth, ohio, called the spartans. After four seasons, the team was purchased for $7,952.08 by a group headed by <strong>Detroit</strong> radio executive George A. richards and moved to the Motor City. Playing in the University of <strong>Detroit</strong> stadium before crowds that averaged 16,000, the new <strong>Detroit</strong> <strong>Lions</strong> won the NFL Championship in only their second year (1935). Under the leadership of Coach “Potsy” Clark and stars like Hall of Famer “Dutch” Clark, Ernie Caddel, George Christensen, “Ace” Gutowsky, Glenn Presnell and “ox” Emerson, the early <strong>Lions</strong> established pro football in <strong>Detroit</strong>. in 1940, Chicagoan Fred Mandel bought the club. <strong>Lions</strong>’ stars of that era included Hall of Famers Bill Dudley and Alex Wojciechowicz, John Green, Byron “Whizzer” White, Frank sinkwich and “Camp” Wilson. the team was sold eight years later to a group of local businessmen under the leadership of Edwin J. Anderson. the <strong>Detroit</strong> syndicate controlled the club until 1964, when William Clay Ford became the sole owner for a price of $4.5 million. the <strong>Lions</strong> dominated the NFL in the 1950s with four division titles and three league championships. Under the direction of head coach Buddy Parker, the team won back-to-back world crowns in 1952-53, defeating Cleveland on both occasions. stars of those powerful teams were Hall of Famers Bobby Layne, Jack Christiansen, Doak Walker and Lou Creekmur, as well as Les Bingaman, Cloyce Box, Leon Hart and Bob Hoernschemeyer. the <strong>Detroit</strong>-Cleveland battles of the era were classic confrontations between two giants of the blossoming NFL. since their last title in 1957 under the coaching of George Wilson, the <strong>Lions</strong> have continued searching for the league’s top spot. such performers as Joe schmidt, yale Lary, Dick “Night train” Lane, John Henry Johnson and Lem Barney have been elected to the Hall of Fame. outstanding players such as Wayne Walker, Mike Lucci, Nick Pietrosante, roger Brown, terry Barr, Mel Farr, Charlie sanders, Dexter Bussey, Billy sims and Doug English have also taken their places in the annals of pro football in <strong>Detroit</strong>. in 1967, schmidt began the first of six seasons as head coach of the <strong>Lions</strong>. His 1970 team made the playoffs, (first postseason trip since ’57) but lost in the first round to Dallas by the baseball-like score of 5-0. Prior to the 1975 season, the <strong>Lions</strong> moved into a new, domed stadium in Pontiac, Mich., a suburb located 30 miles north of <strong>Detroit</strong>. the silverdome was, at one time, the world’s largest air-supported domed structure and seated over 80,000 spectators under a fiberglass roof. Monte Clark took control of all football operations as head coach in 1978. Under Clark’s direction, the <strong>Lions</strong> narrowly missed playoff berths in 1980-81, before qualifying in 1982 — the <strong>Lions</strong>’ first playoff appearance since 1970. <strong>Detroit</strong> captured the NFC Central Division crown in 1983, but stumbled in the first round of the playoffs with a 24-23 loss at san Francisco. Darryl rogers took over for Clark in 1985 but was replaced on an interim basis by his defensive coordinator Wayne Fontes in November 1988 after rogers’ teams had posted a combined 18-40 record. Fontes was officially named the franchise’s 18th head coach on December 22, 1988. the <strong>Lions</strong> “restored the roar” in 1991, winning a franchise-record 12 regular season games. riding a tide of emotion after guard Mike Utley’s paralyzing neck injury, <strong>Detroit</strong> defeated Dallas, 38-6, in the <strong>Lions</strong>’ first silverdome playoff contest. the victory gave the <strong>Lions</strong> a berth in the NFC Championship Game, where <strong>Detroit</strong> fell to the eventual super Bowl Champion Washington redskins. the <strong>Lions</strong> finished 10-6 in 1993 en route to capturing the NFC Central Division title, and earned a Wild Card playoff bid in 1994. the 1995 <strong>Lions</strong> featured the NFL’s top-rated offense and won their final seven games to earn a third straight playoff berth. Herman Moore set an NFL record with 123 catches, and he and Brett Perriman became the first teammates to each total over 100 catches in the same season. the receiver tandem also set the NFL record for most receiving yards in a season. Quarterback scott Mitchell set team passing records for yards (4,338), completions (346) and touchdowns (32). in 1996, running back Barry sanders captured his third NFL rushing title with a dramatic 175-yard outburst on the final Monday night of the season in san Francisco. the <strong>Lions</strong>, however, finished a disappointing 5-11 History Book <strong>Detroit</strong>lions.com Media.<strong>Detroit</strong>lions.com in ’96 and following the season, Fontes was replaced as head coach by former san Diego Chargers’ head coach, Bobby ross. Fontes, who was the head coach for more than eight full seasons, finished his career as the team’s all-time leader among head coaches in both wins (67) and games coached (138). ross was named the 19th head coach in team history January 13, 1997, and led the club back to the playoffs in his inaugural year at the helm with a 9-7 record. that season, sanders, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in August 2004, continued his storybook career by becoming only the third player in league history to record 2,000 yards rushing in a single-season (2,053) and he reeled off an NFL record 14 consecutive 100-yard outings to finish the season. the <strong>Lions</strong> closed out the 1990s reaching the playoffs for the sixth time in the 10-year span, which is a franchise record for playoff appearances during a decade. <strong>Detroit</strong>’s playoff berth in 1999 marked the second time in ross’ first three years as head coach that he led the <strong>Lions</strong> into the postseason. the last <strong>Lions</strong>’ head coach to accomplish that feat was Buddy Parker in 1952-53 during his second and third seasons at the helm. After playing nine games into the 2000 season and compiling a 5-4 record, ross abruptly resigned as head coach November 6 and was immediately replaced by Gary Moeller. Moeller guided the team to a 4-3 record over the last seven games, but narrowly missed the playoffs with a loss to the Chicago Bears in the season finale. Following the season, William Clay Ford named Matt Millen president and CEo, and he assumed control over team operations. on January 25, 2001 Gary Moeller was replaced as head coach by former san Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg. on April 1, 2002, <strong>Detroit</strong> relocated the team’s day-to-day operations into the new $36 million Headquarters and training Facility in Allen Park. the new complex features outdoor and indoor practice fields, spacious training and meeting rooms and even the team’s own broadcast studio. A new era in <strong>Lions</strong>’ history dawned as Ford Field, the team’s $500 million downtown <strong>Detroit</strong> stadium, opened its doors in August 2002. the 65,000-seat stadium sparkled as its retro and innovative features glistened in the national spotlight as the premiere sports and entertainment complex. the <strong>Lions</strong> played the first game at Ford Field August 24, 2002 in a preseason tilt against the Pittsburgh steelers. the inaugural regular season game was played between the <strong>Lions</strong> and the Green Bay Packers september 22, 2002. in January 2003, Mornhinweg was fired after two seasons and former san Francisco 49ers Head Coach steve Mariucci was tabbed the new <strong>Lions</strong>’ head coach February 4. For the first time since the <strong>Lions</strong> placed the Leaping Lion logo on the players’ helmets in 1961, <strong>Detroit</strong> announced a major addition to the team’s uniform on April 23, 2003. the <strong>Lions</strong>’ classic uniform was enhanced with black trim on the logo, jerseys and pants, along with black shoes and black facemasks. in April 2005, the team introduced an alternate black jersey that would be worn through 2007. on November 28, 2005, steve Mariucci was relieved of his duties as head coach and defensive coordinator Dick Jauron was named interim head coach for the remaining five games. in 2006, the <strong>Lions</strong> hired rod Marinelli as the team’s 24th head coach, a position he would hold through 2008. in 2008, the <strong>Lions</strong> commemorated the franchise’s 75th season in <strong>Detroit</strong>. Just a handful of NFL teams have been around as long as the <strong>Lions</strong>, a franchise that spans several generations of fans over the years. <strong>Detroit</strong> has called three different stadiums home with nearly 1,400 players seeing action on a given gameday and numerous coaches strolling the sideline. that history is rich with great players who have donned the uniform -- the <strong>Lions</strong> are one of only nine teams to have at least 18 Pro Football Hall of Fame players don their respective uniforms -- and with traditions like the “Honolulu Blue and silver”, the leaping Lion logo, the “roaring 20’s” and the team’s annual thanksgiving tradition. With 78 years now in the rear-view mirror, <strong>Detroit</strong> is surging ahead in a new era of <strong>Lions</strong> football. in 2009, for the first time in team history, the team entered the season with a new president, tom Lewand, a new general manager, Martin Mayhew, and a new head coach, Jim schwartz, hired January 16, 2009. together, they have been the driving force for the team’s success on and off the field. in that same year, the <strong>Lions</strong> introduced a new logo and new
- Page 1 and 2:
Detroit Lions vs atLanta faLcons Th
- Page 3 and 4:
meDia information Detroitlions.com
- Page 5 and 6:
meDia information Detroitlions.com
- Page 7 and 8:
meDia information Detroitlions.com
- Page 9 and 10:
meDia information Detroitlions.com
- Page 11 and 12:
meDia information Detroitlions.com
- Page 13 and 14:
meDia information Detroitlions.com
- Page 15 and 16:
meDia information Detroitlions.com
- Page 17 and 18:
meDia information Detroitlions.com
- Page 19 and 20:
meDia information Detroitlions.com
- Page 21 and 22:
2012 DETROIT LIONS ALPHABETICAL ROS
- Page 23 and 24:
2012 DETROIT LIONS POSITION-BY-POSI
- Page 25 and 26:
2012 DETROIT LIONS STARTERS StL 9/9
- Page 27 and 28:
jANUARY 2012 January 1: .......Deac
- Page 29 and 30:
2012 DETROIT LIONS REGULAR SEASON S
- Page 31 and 32:
team stats Detroitlions.com Media.D
- Page 33 and 34:
SEASON IN REVIEW Detroitlions.com M
- Page 35 and 36:
Game #3 LIONS 41, TITANS 44 (OT) LP
- Page 37 and 38:
Game #7 SEAHAWKS 24, LIONS 28 FORD
- Page 39 and 40:
Game #11 TEXANS 34, LIONS 31 FORD F
- Page 41 and 42:
2012 Detroit Lions ExEcutivEs and c
- Page 43 and 44:
Lions to win a super Bowl. Mr. Ford
- Page 45 and 46:
in 2009, the team introduced compre
- Page 47 and 48:
detroitlions.com attracted 4.7 mill
- Page 49 and 50:
strengthening each position unit fr
- Page 51 and 52:
a key to schwartz’s defensive app
- Page 53 and 54:
cunningham is a 43-year coaching ve
- Page 55 and 56:
scott Linehan oFFensive coorDinator
- Page 57 and 58:
Danny crossman sPeciaL teams coorDi
- Page 59 and 60:
BURKE’S BACKGROUND Detroit Lions
- Page 61 and 62:
of the ncaa division ii playoffs. t
- Page 63 and 64:
kyLe vaLero Offensive Quality Contr
- Page 65 and 66:
James harris Senior Personnel Execu
- Page 67 and 68:
cary conkLin Regional Scout Years w
- Page 69 and 70:
Dean kLeinschmiDt Coordinator of At
- Page 71 and 72:
2012 Detroit Lions Player Profiles
- Page 73 and 74:
AVRIL’S DEFENSIVE STATISTICS Year
- Page 75 and 76:
JoiQue BeLL Runningback Wayne State
- Page 77 and 78:
JahviD Best Running Back California
- Page 79 and 80:
nate BurLeson Wide Receiver Nevada
- Page 81 and 82:
shaun ChaPas Fullback Georgia 1st Y
- Page 83 and 84:
Louis DeLmas Safety Western Michiga
- Page 85 and 86:
kris Durham Wide Receiver Georgia 2
- Page 87 and 88:
Drayton fLorenCe Cornerback Tuskege
- Page 89 and 90:
Jason fox Tackle Miami (Fla.) 3rd Y
- Page 91 and 92:
Jonte Green Cornerback New Mexico S
- Page 93 and 94:
Jason hanson Kicker Washington Stat
- Page 95 and 96:
niCk harris Punter California 12th
- Page 97 and 98:
sammie hiLL Defensive Tackle Stillm
- Page 99 and 100:
Corey hiLLiarD Tackle Oklahoma St.
- Page 101 and 102:
LawrenCe JaCkson Defensive End USC
- Page 103 and 104:
¾ fastest player in lions history
- Page 105 and 106:
tyreLL Johnson Safety Arkansas Stat
- Page 107 and 108:
Pat Lee Cornerback Auburn 5th Year
- Page 109 and 110:
DeanDre Levy Linebacker Wisconsin 4
- Page 111 and 112:
travis Lewis Linebacker Oklahoma Ro
- Page 113 and 114:
keLLen moore Quarterback Boise Stat
- Page 115 and 116:
BiLL naGy Guard Wisconsin 2nd Year
- Page 117 and 118:
ashLee PaLmer Linebacker Mississipp
- Page 119 and 120:
PLayer ProfiLes Detroitlions.com Me
- Page 121 and 122:
iLey reiff Tackle Iowa Rookie Ht: 6
- Page 123 and 124:
tony sCheffLer Tight End Western Mi
- Page 125 and 126:
oB sims Guard Ohio State 7th Year H
- Page 127 and 128:
amari sPievey Safety Iowa 3rd Year
- Page 129 and 130:
He and Hall of fame QB Bobby layne
- Page 131 and 132:
nDamukonG suh Defensive Tackle Nebr
- Page 133 and 134:
mike thomas Wide Receiver Arizona 4
- Page 135 and 136:
TULLOCH’S CAREER STATISTICS Year
- Page 137 and 138:
John wenDLinG Safety Wyoming 6th Ye
- Page 139 and 140:
Corey wiLLiams Defensive Tackle Ark
- Page 141 and 142:
wiLLie younG Defensive End N.C. Sta
- Page 143 and 144:
PatriCk eDwarDs Wide Receiver Houst
- Page 145 and 146:
Pro Football Hall oF Fame 1963 Earl
- Page 147 and 148:
2000 Jeff Hartings G 2001 Brendan s
- Page 149 and 150:
1982 (3) DT Doug English rB Billy s
- Page 151 and 152:
2012 Detroit Lions The RecoRds secT
- Page 153 and 154:
5 Leonard Thompson 94t chi 10/19/81
- Page 155 and 156:
5t Glenn Presnell 54 at GB 10/7/34
- Page 157 and 158:
2t Tom Watkins 16 238 14.9 2 1964 2
- Page 159 and 160:
5t 1987 15 509 275 3150 54.0 16 26
- Page 161 and 162:
individual RecoRds Rushing Attempts
- Page 163 and 164:
postseason summaRies Overall Record
- Page 165 and 166:
4t iheanyi Uwaezuoke 2 at Was 1/8/9
- Page 167 and 168:
seasonaL LeaDers Rushing Year Playe
- Page 169 and 170:
1998 Terry Fair* 51 1428 28.0 2 199
- Page 171 and 172:
top perFormances passing 300-Yard P
- Page 173 and 174:
10/22/72 sd Larry Walton 101 7 9/16
- Page 175 and 176:
Rushing 150-199 YDS Lions .........
- Page 177 and 178:
2012 Detroit Lions CoaChing & Serie
- Page 179 and 180:
a *anderson, hunk 1939 Arapoff, Jas
- Page 181 and 182:
PacKers 2012 scheDuLe Sep. 9 San Fr
- Page 183 and 184:
DaLLas CowBoYs COWBOYS 2012 SCHEDuL
- Page 185 and 186:
atLanta FaLCons FALCONS 2012 SCHEDu
- Page 187 and 188:
carDinaLs 2012 scheDuLe Sep. 9 Seat
- Page 189 and 190:
san FranCisCo 49ers 49ERS 2012 SCHE
- Page 191 and 192:
new engLanD Patriots PATRIOTS 2012
- Page 193 and 194:
CLeVeLanD Browns BROWNS 2012 SCHEDu
- Page 195 and 196:
JaCksonViLLe Jaguars JAGuARS 2012 S
- Page 197 and 198:
oakLanD raiDers RAIDERS 2012 SCHEDu
- Page 199 and 200:
Year-BY-Year resuLts Detroitlions.c
- Page 201 and 202: 1934 Record:10-3-0, 2 nd Western Di
- Page 203 and 204: 1946 Record: 1-10-0, 5th nFL Wester
- Page 205 and 206: 1955 Record: 3-9-0, 6th nFL Western
- Page 207 and 208: 1961 Record: 8-5-1, 2nd nFL Western
- Page 209 and 210: 1967 Record: 5-7-2, 3rd nFL central
- Page 211 and 212: 1971 Record: 7-6-1, 2nd nFc central
- Page 213 and 214: 1973 Record: 6-7-1, 2nd nFc central
- Page 215 and 216: 1975 Record: 7-7, 2nd nFc central D
- Page 217 and 218: 1977 Record: 6-8, 3rd nFc central D
- Page 219 and 220: 1979 Record: 2-14, 5th nFc central
- Page 221 and 222: 1981 Record: 8-8, 2nd nFc central D
- Page 223 and 224: 1983 Record: 9-7, 1st nFc central D
- Page 225 and 226: 1985 Record: 7-9, 4th nFc central D
- Page 227 and 228: 1987 Record: 4-11, 4th nFc central
- Page 229 and 230: 1989 Record: 7-9, 3rd nFc central D
- Page 231 and 232: 1991 Record: 12-4, 1st nFc central
- Page 233 and 234: 1993 Record: 10-6, 1st nFc central
- Page 235 and 236: 1995 Record: 10-6, 2nd nFc central
- Page 237 and 238: 1997 Record: 9-7, 3rd nFc central D
- Page 239 and 240: 1999 Record: 8-8, 3rd nFc central D
- Page 241 and 242: 2001 Record: 2-14, 5th nFc central
- Page 243 and 244: 2003 Record: 5-11, 4th nFc north 9/
- Page 245 and 246: 2005 Record: 5-11, 3rd nFc north Da
- Page 247 and 248: 2007 Record: 7-9, 3rd nFc north Dat
- Page 249 and 250: 2009 Record: 2-14, 4th nFc north Da
- Page 251: 2011 Won 10, Lost 6 Date W-L Score
- Page 255 and 256: Ground Up” at the old Hudson’s
- Page 257 and 258: History Book Detroitlions.com Media
- Page 259 and 260: Detroit Lions Uniform History 1934-
- Page 261 and 262: Detroit Lions DrAft since 1936 rd O
- Page 263 and 264: 1952 1 Choice to Cle 2 Choice to Ch
- Page 265 and 266: 4b 59 Walker, Willie FL tennessee A
- Page 267 and 268: 7 169 James, Jeff Wr stanford 8 196
- Page 269 and 270: Lions trADes since 1969 8/11/69 Lio
- Page 271 and 272: History Book Detroitlions.com Media
- Page 273 and 274: Fifer, William t West texas state 1
- Page 275 and 276: *Lomakoski, John t Western Michigan
- Page 277 and 278: schmidt, Joe LB Pittsburgh 1953-65
- Page 279 and 280: LIONS OvERTIME GAMES Date Opp Score
- Page 281 and 282: ecords for an indoor hockey game. o