The Lions, one of the NFL’s oldest franchises, have produced some of the greatest players in the history of the sport. 21 Lions players have been honored in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, as of the 2020 induction ceremony (6 percent of the 346 individuals inducted). 15 of them spent a substantial amount of time in Detroit.
All-time great running back Jimmie Johnson, four of the best defenders in NFL history, and many more outstanding players who helped the Lions win three Super Bowl victories in the 1950s are on this list. The Lions’ dynasty peaked during the 1950s, when they won three championships in a row (1952, 1953, and 1957). There were seven Hall of Famers on the championship teams from Detroit.
The following is a list of every Detroit Lions Hall of Famer who has appeared in at least one game for the team. According to the number of seasons they played in the Motor City.
Player Induction Year Years with Team
Alex Karras 2020 1958-1962, 1964-1970
Alex Wojciechowicz 1968 1938-1946
Barry Sanders 2004 1989-1998
Bill Dudley 1966 1947-1949
Bobby Layne 1967 1950-1958
Calvin Johnson 2021 2007-2015
Charlie Sanders 2007 1968-1977
Curley Culp 2013 1980-81
Dick LeBeau 2010 1959-1972
Dick Lane 1974 1960-1965
Dick Stanfel 2016 1952-55
Doak Walker 1986 1950-1955
Earl Clark 1963 1931-32, 1934-38
Frank Gatski 1985 1957
Hugh McElhenny 1970 1964
Jack Christiansen 1970 1951-1958
Joe Schmidt 1973 1953-1965
John Henry Johnson 1987 1957-1959
Lem Barney 1992 1967-1977
Lou Creekmur 1996 1950-1959
Ollie Matson 1972 1963
Yale Lary 1979 1952-1953, 1956-1964
