Detroit — For the third consecutive year and fourth time in five, the Detroit Lions are expanding the team’s “Pride of the Lions.” On Saturday, the Lions announced they will be inducting former defensive end Robert Porcher into the exclusive club.
“We are thrilled to cement Robert Porcher’s legacy as one of the all-time Lions greats,” Lions president Rod Wood said in a statement. “…He is incredibly deserving of this honor. He was a model of stability and tenacity as a player and will always be someone our fans and even current players can look up to. We look forward to welcoming Robert back to Ford Field for what will be an extra special celebration.”
A first-round pick out of South Carolina State in 1992 — No. 26 overall — Porcher spent his entire 13-year career with the Lions. He holds the franchise’s official single-season and career sack records, recording 15.0 during the 1999 campaign and 95.5 for his career.
Porcher earned Pro Bowl honors three times (1997, 1999 and 2001) and was named to the Lions’ All-Time team in 2019 as part of the league’s centennial celebration.
Porcher will be the 22nd member of the “Pride of the Lions,” joining recent inductees Calvin Johnson, Lomas Brown and Chris Spielman.
The Lions will formally honor Porcher at halftime of the team’s home opener, Week 2 against Chicago, on Sept. 14.
Pride of the Lions
* Listed by induction year. The first dozen players were part of the initial class in 2009.
Cornerback Lem Barney (1967-77)
Safety Jack Christansen (1951-58)
Quarterback Dutch Clark (1934-38)
Offensive lineman Lou Creekmur (1950-59)
Cornerback Dick Lane (1960-65)
Safety Yale Larry (1952-53, 1956-64)
Quarterback Bobby Layne (1950-58)
Running back Barry Sanders (1989-98)
Tight end Charlie Sanders (1968-77)
Linebacker Joe Schmidt (1953-65)
Running back Doak Walker (1950-55)
Offensive lineman Alex Wojciechowicz (1938-46)
Cornerback Dick LeBeau (1959-72)
Kicker Jason Hanson (1992-2012)
Guard Dick Stanfel (1952-55)
Defensive tackle Roger Brown (1960-66)
Defensive tackle Alex Karras (1958-70)
Wide receiver Herman Moore (1991-2001)
Linebacker Chris Spielman (1988-95)
Offensive tackle Lomas Brown (1985-95)
Wide receiver Calvin Johnson (2007-15)
Defensive end Robert Porcher (1992-2004)
Sorry, neither he or Hansen deserve the honor. Three pro bowls is great but not elite. Is every three time pro bowler getting a blue jacket? If so, that wall is going to be really crowded.
Feels like Lions are honoring longevity versus performance. Also, both players were part of really bad era in Lions football. That should matter.
Well deserved, what a great selection.😎👍 He's another guy underrecognized for his work during the 'before times'.