ClubSocial

NSW conducts two-millionth COVID-19 test as pop-up freight testing clinics open

It comes as Victoria recorded its lowest number of cases in more than a month.

from Sydney Morning Herald - National
Read More

NSW conducts two-millionth COVID-19 test as pop-up freight testing clinics open

It comes as Victoria recorded its lowest number of cases in more than a month.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

Rio Tinto slashes bonuses over 46,000-year-old cave blast disaster

Rio Tinto's CEO and two senior executives have been stripped of some of their bonuses for the blasting of the ancient Juukan Gorge.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

Two months after COVID-19 'dark moment,' Dimitrov wins in return

Two months after barely being able to walk while ill with COVID-19, Grigor Dimitrov played a professional tennis match at the Western & Southern Open.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

Strong start for new year at Super Retail Group despite profit slide

Retailing collective Super Retail Group has reported a 20 per cent slide in profit for the full year.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

Tablet interactive: Coronavirus outbreak

Follow news and events as they happen.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

Nib sees 40 per cent profit drop as COVID-19 'blurs' numbers

The $2 billion health insurer outlined close to $100 million in provisions for deferred claims.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

Boral chairman 'disappointed' after $1.35 billion COVID hit

Building supplies company Boral has unveiled $1.35 billion of write-downs relating mostly to its North American operations due to COVID impact.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

Public health alerts issued for more than 40 sites across SEQ

Anyone who visited the listed sites at the relevant times should self-isolate and contact Queensland Health.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

BBC NEWS - TikTok launches legal action against Trump over ban

President Donald Trump ordered Americans to stop doing business with the popular Chinese video app.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-53877956

BBC NEWS - Coronavirus: Is the US the worst-hit country for deaths?

President Trump says the death rate in the US is lower than elsewhere - what does the data show?

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-53780196

BBC NEWS - Coronavirus: Croatia's culture capital Rijeka tries to salvage year

The cheers had barely died down after Rijeka's opening ceremony when the pandemic struck.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53841227

BBC NEWS - US trans rights: The teen who sued his school, and won, over bathroom use

Drew Adams, a US trans man, has won a court battle against his school to use the male bathrooms.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-53834065

BBC NEWS - Why a Somali-born fighter is being honoured in Rome

Some Italians are revaluating their colonial past in East Africa, writes Ismail Einashe.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-53837708

BBC NEWS - Coronavirus vaccine: Short cuts and allegations of dirty tricks in race to be first

Russia, China, the US and UK see a vaccine as a projection of their scientific prowess.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-53864069

BBC NEWS - 'It's a scary time for stand-up comedians'

Edinburgh Festival Fringe acts are making the best of a bad situation online, but for how long?

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-53846365

BBC NEWS - Belarus: What lies behind the protests?

Mass strikes and protests have been continuing in Belarus, following disputed elections on 9 August.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53877211

BBC NEWS - Death Valley: What life is like in the 'hottest place on Earth'

The Death Valley just saw one of the highest temperatures ever recorded on Earth - 130F (54.4C)

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-53825593

BBC NEWS - Mpape Crushed Rock: Nigerians flock to new Abuja beauty spot

Nigeria's Mpape Crushed Rock is an unlikely tourist sensation for fun-seekers near the capital, Abuja.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-53806880

BBC NEWS - The two students who took on Coke and Pepsi

German friends Mirco Wiegert and Lorenz Hampl launched best-selling Fritz-Kola in 2003.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53593138

New on Sports Illustrated: Dustin Johnson Holds Five-Shot Lead at TPC Boston After Big Third-Round Finish

The birdie-eagle ending to Dustin Johnson's round Saturday at The Northern Trust gave him a 7-under 64 and stretched his lead to five shots in the FedEx Cup playoffs opener.

NORTON, Mass. — Dustin Johnson could have used a finish like this for a record score. The birdie-eagle ending to his round Saturday at The Northern Trust gave him a 7-under 64 and stretched his lead to five shots in the FedEx Cup playoffs opener.

Johnson, coming off a remarkable day in which he was 11 under through 11 holes and finished with seven pars for a 60, pulled away from Harris English and Scottie Scheffler with a 20-foot birdie putt on the 17th and a 40-footer for eagle on the closing hole at the TPC Boston.

He was at 22-under 191, his lowest 54-hole score by three shots.

“I’m in a great position and like where I’m at, but I’m still going to have to go out and shoot a good score,” Johnson said. “You can go low out here and guys are going low every day, especially with the conditions we have — perfect greens, golf course is in great shape and not a lot of wind.”

English had three birdies in a four-hole stretch early on the back nine and was tied for the lead when Johnson made his lone bogey of the round on the 13th hole when he failed to get up-and-down from a bunker.

English, however, followed with consecutive bogeys when he missed the green well to the right of the water on the par-3 16th, and three-putted from 70 feet on the 17th. He missed a third consecutive putt from 7 feet or closer, the last one for birdie, and had to settle for a 66.

Scheffler closed with a birdie to follow his second-round 59 with a 67. He played in the final group with Johnson, just like he did two weeks ago on the final day of the PGA Championship.

Even so, they are five shots behind Johnson, who is going for his second victory of the year and could go to No. 1 in the world—provided Jon Rahm does not finish second—for the first time since May 2019.

“Try to make as many birdies as I can and see what happens,” English said.

Louis Oosthuizen (68) was seven shots behind, and his best hope now would appear to be moving into the top 70 who advance to the second playoff event next week at Olympia Fields south of Chicago.

Tiger Woods predicted Friday there would be low scoring in the third round, and he was right—just not from him or Rory McIlroy, a star pairing for the breakfast hour. Woods birdied the last hole for a 73. McIlroy made two triple bogeys in his round of 74. They get to play again Sunday morning.

Johnson will be going for his fifth FedEx Cup playoff victory, and third in this event on a third course. What matters more is how he finishes the season. The FedEx Cup already features some of the best players in golf—Woods, McIlroy, Vijay Singh, Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth among them—and Johnson wants to be on that list.

Johnson set the target with four birdies in eight holes before heavy rain moved in and halted the third round for 45 minutes. It also softened a TPC Boston that was getting slightly firmer.

He came back and hit to tap-in range for birdie on the 12th, and then had his great finish.

Johnson needed a birdie on the 18th on Friday for his first 59 and said he regrets hitting driver off the tee with a shot that tumbled down a small slope into the rough. Lesson learned? Not really. With the rain, he opted for the driver again, teed it low and hit this one perfect, setting up a 5-iron to the green and his long eagle putt.

August 23, 2020 at 05:39AM
Dustin Johnson Holds Five-Shot Lead at TPC Boston After Big Third-Round Finish

New on Sports Illustrated: Karrion Kross Seeks Start of First NXT Title Run at 'TakeOver XXX'

Karrion Kross meets reigning champion Keith Lee in the main event of Saturday's 'NXT TakeOver XXX.'

Karrion Kross is ready to climb a massive step in his WWE ascent.

In order to do that, Kross needs a run as NXT Champion. He meets reigning champ Keith Lee in the main event of Saturday’s NXT TakeOver XXX, though at first glance, the timing does not appear to be working in his favor.

Kross has only been part of the NXT roster since February, and he is still building an aura and mystique around his character. Lee only won the title a month ago, defeating Adam Cole during the Great American Bash special in July. Given the time, Lee would make a tremendous long-term champion. But there are factors playing in Kross’ favor. A fan favorite chasing a heel champ leads to compelling television, which would help the weekly NXT product, and Lee has been heavily rumored to be on his way to the main roster. So could tonight be the start of the Karrion Kross era in NXT?

“I’ve heard that I haven’t put in enough time yet to be champion, and I understand why people are saying it, but respectfully, that is not the case,” said Kross. “The reality is I’ve been in wrestling for quite some time. I have been around the world attempting to find the best version of myself and bring that to WWE, which is what people will see at TakeOver.”

Kross is 35-year-old Kevin Kesar. He worked for a number of promotions before his arrival in WWE, including AAA and Impact Wrestling, but was never too closely associated with one particular company. Instead, he and business/life partner Scarlett Bordeaux have combined to create one of the more entertaining brands in all of professional wrestling.

Kross and Bordeaux are two very talented performers, and even more compelling when working together.

“She has such a natural presence,” said Kross. “The very first time I ever met her, she took over the room the moment she walked in. Attention gravitates toward her, and as a professional, she’s perfected the art of projecting that through the TV. After you see her, you’ll never forget here. She’s solidified her role and identity in NXT, and we make the perfect team together.”

Kross said his career in wrestling will never be defined by titles, but a win against Lee at TakeOver is a necessity if he plans to elevate his status in the company.

“A title run provides credibility,” said Kross. “Do I personally feel I need a belt to have a successful career? The answer to that is no. My job is to make people feel something. We’re telling a story of light vs. dark. That’s a very old story, and the magic of what we do is eliciting a new response.

“Do I want to become NXT Champion? Yes, 100 percent, and when I get it, I never want to let it go. But in terms of what I really want to accomplish, I have a greater scope and image of how I will contribute to this business.”

The right opponent is critical in wrestling. Fortunately for Kross, he is sharing the ring at TakeOver with a consummate professional in Lee.

“Keith is one of the most impressive people in the business,” said Kross. “His skillset and repertoire for someone his size is something we won’t see again for a very long time. His style is a little bit of power and a little bit of lucha, which I know very well. We are the perfect opponents for each other, and people are going to witness a match they’re not expecting at TakeOver.”

Kross has never been placed in a position where a card of this magnitude was built around him. There is certainly a heavy load on his shoulders to deliver at the seminal TakeOver XXX, especially in a title match. Yet this is exactly why he chose to work in NXT, spurning offers from other promotions. Starting with a memorable entrance, followed a hard-hitting title match, Kross looks forward to seizing full control of the long-awaited opportunity to show why he belongs atop NXT.

“This TakeOver match is going to be violent,” said Kross. “It’s going to be visceral, it’s going to be carnal, it’s going to be intense–and it’s going to make history.”

Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.

August 23, 2020 at 05:18AM
Karrion Kross Seeks Start of First NXT Title Run at 'TakeOver XXX'

Victoria records more than 200 cases and 17 deaths

It's the first time in three days Victoria has recorded more than 200 cases.

from Sydney Morning Herald - National
Read More

'Wonderful timing': UWA Choral Society to return to the stage at Government House

The UWA Choral Society has put together an afternoon of music at Government House, overcoming hurdles thrown up by the coronavirus pandemic in the process.

from Sydney Morning Herald - National
Read More

Wettest August day in 20 years; chilly day ahead before week warms up

The "Antarctic blob" will keep the "real feel" to a maximum of about 3-4 degrees on Sunday before spring weather arrives later this week.

from Sydney Morning Herald - National
Read More

Solving the Fremantle Port and bridge puzzle

Big decisions are being made around the port which will have a dramatic effect on the future of Fremantle and wider Perth.

from Sydney Morning Herald - National
Read More

Belarusian Opposition Leader Sees Herself as Symbol of Change

VILNIUS, LITHUANIA - Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya sees herself as a symbol of change whose role is to help deliver new elections as President Alexander Lukashenko wi

from Latest Breaking News RSS feed – Big News Network
via READ MORE

Victoria records more than 200 cases and 17 deaths

It's the first time in three days Victoria has recorded more than 200 cases.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

'Wonderful timing': UWA Choral Society to return to the stage at Government House

Wettest August day in 20 years; chilly day ahead before week warms up

The "Antarctic blob" will keep the "real feel" to a maximum of about 3-4 degrees on Sunday before spring weather arrives later this week.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

Solving the Fremantle Port and bridge puzzle

Big decisions are being made around the port which will have a dramatic effect on the future of Fremantle and wider Perth.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

Will US Make Clear-cut Commitment to Defend Taiwan From China

For almost 70 years, the United States has never explicitly committed itself to the defense of Taiwan against Chinese invasion. Now, with U.S.-China relations at a historic low, worries over a Chin

from Latest Breaking News RSS feed – Big News Network
via READ MORE

Cold snap delivers snow to alps and windchill to Sydney

A cold snap across New South Wales has dropped heavy snow on the ski fields closing roads in some areas.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

Seven stables locked down, three jockeys stood down after COVID positive

Seven Cranbourne stables have been placed in lockdown and three jockeys have been stood down after a staff member at Richard Laming’s tested positive.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

Woman found dead on Sunshine Coast street on Saturday morning

A murder investigation has been launched after the woman's body was found near Nambour RSL about 1.30am.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

Australian Lee just two shots behind Women's British Open leader

Australian world No.8-ranked Minjee Lee shot 69 to tie for the lowest second round of the event, and is just two shots behind Swedish leader Dani Holmqvist.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

Concerns for teenage girl missing since Thursday

Anna Smigrodzki, 13, was last seen at a McDonald's in East Perth on Thursday night and the Department of Communities said there were concerns for her wellbeing.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

'It is most likely to be COVID, not flu': Top doctor urges testing

People in south-east Queensland with even very mild symptoms, such as a runny nose, should get tested, says Jeannette Young.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

Strip Xi Jinping of 'president' title, US Congress members urged

The move is designed to highlight the fact Xi Jinping is not democratically elected.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

McGowan cracks down on travel by federal politicians ahead of Parliament's return

The WA government has hit the state's federal ministers and MPs with "significant" new travel restrictions ahead of federal Parliament's return on Monday.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

BBC NEWS - Alexei Navalny: Putin critic taken to airport for flight to Germany

The Russian opposition activist is being flown to Berlin for treatment, after falling ill in Siberia.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53871617

New on Sports Illustrated: Detroit Lions Hall of Fame Players: A Complete History

There are 21 former Lions enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, including 15 who played most of their career in the Motor City.

Lions Hall of Famers Lem Barney, Joe Schmidt and Barry Sanders (left to right) stand on the field before a 2019 game at Ford Field.

How Many Lions Are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

As one of the oldest teams in the NFL, the Lions have developed some of the best players to ever grace a professional football field. As of the 2020 induction ceremonies, there are 21 individuals enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, who spent at least one season with the Lions (6% of the 346 individuals inducted). Among them, 15 played a significant portion of their career in Detroit.

Included on this list are one of the greatest running backs to ever play in the NFL, four standout defenders who played at least 11 seasons with the Lions and numerous players who helped lead Detroit to three championships during the 1950s. With titles in 1952, '53 and '57, that decade proved to be the greatest dynasty in Lions history. Seven of Detroit's Hall of Famers were prominently featured on those championship teams.

What follows is a list of every Hall of Famer who has played at least one game for the Lions. The players are listed in order by the number of seasons each spent in the Motor City.

Joe Schmidt

Position: Linebacker, coach
College: Pittsburgh
Seasons Played: 1953–65
Seasons With the Lions: 1953–65
Seasons Coached: 1966–72
Seasons Coached With the Lions: 1966–72
Year Inducted: 1973
Stats: 24 interceptions, 3 defensive TDs
Awards: NFL Defensive MVP (1960, '63), NFL Lineman of the Year ('57)
Legacy Honors: NFL Top 100 All-Time Team, NFL 1950s All-Decade Team
All-Pro: 1954–62
Pro Bowl: 1954–63

During a 13-year playing career with the Lions, Joe Schmidt was among the best defenders in the league and revolutionized the middle linebacker position. With 10 straight Pro Bowl and nine straight All-Pro selections, Schmidt burst onto the scene—despite being selected as a seventh-round draft pick. He didn't miss a start throughout his first seven years in the league, and his prowess in the middle of the field helped the Lions finish in the top three in scoring defense in three of those seasons. Detroit also won a pair of NFL championships during his tenure.

In 1955, Schmidt tied the NFL record by recovering eight fumbles lost by his opponents (the mark was broken in 1963), and his 17 career fumble recoveries are tied for the most in team history among defenders. He set his career high with six interceptions in 1958, a nice continuation of his postseason success in 1957. That year, he intercepted a pass in playoff wins over the 49ers and the Browns, which helped bring the Lions their third NFL championship in six seasons.

Schmidt sustained a shoulder injury in the 1960 preseason, which forced him to miss the first games in his career. Once he came back to the field, however, he returned an interception for the first touchdown of his career. Over his final five seasons, Schmidt started every game of a campaign three times, and in both 1961 and '65 he had four interceptions.

He announced his retirement in March 1966 and joined the team as an assistant coach. The next season, he was promoted to head coach and was involved in the drafting of multiple future Hall of Famers. Schmidt had a 43-34-7 record in Detroit and led the team to the playoffs in 1970. By the end of his coaching tenure in 1972, he had served the Lions for 20 straight seasons.

Dick LeBeau

Position: Defensive back
College: Ohio State
Seasons Played: 1959–72
Seasons With the Lions: 1959–72
Year Inducted: 2010
Stats: 62 interceptions, 3 TDs
All-Pro: 1964–65, '70
Pro Bowl: 1964–66

Dick LeBeau spent 14 seasons as a defensive back for the Lions. Despite season after season of strong play, he is remembered just as much for his time as a defensive coordinator. He was drafted in the fifth round of the 1959 NFL Draft by the Browns but was cut in the preseason. LeBeau then came to Detroit, and by 1960, he was slated in the starting lineup and rarely missed time until he retired in 1972.

LeBeau became a ball-hawking defensive back, intercepting at least four passes in all but one season between 1960 and '71—which included a career-high nine in 1970. His career total of 62 is tied for 10th in NFL history and stands as the team's all-time record. In four separate seasons, he snared a pair of interceptions in two different games.

Following his playing career, LeBeau revolutionized NFL defenses by perfecting the zone blitz as a defensive coordinator. When he retired from coaching in 2017, he had spent 59 straight seasons in the NFL.

Alex Karras

Position: Defensive tackle
College: Iowa
Seasons Played: 1958–62, 1964–70
Seasons With the Lions: 1958–62, 1964–70
Year Inducted: 2020
Stats: 16 fumble recoveries, 4 interceptions
Legacy Honors: NFL 1960s All-Decade Team, Pride of the Lions
All-Pro: 1960–61, ‘65
Pro Bowl: 1960–62, ‘65

Many Detroit fans long asked the question, "Is Alex Karras in the Hall of Fame?" As of 2020, they can finally answer that question with a resounding, "Yes!" He was inducted as part of that year's Centennial Class.

Karras had all the qualifications expected of a Hall of Famer, but some off-the-field concerns are believed to have left him out of Canton for so many years. He was suspended in 1963 due to gambling—a negative mark on his stellar on-field record that saw him make four Pro Bowls and earn seven first- or second-team All-Pro selections from the Associated Press.

He was credited with 97.5 sacks in his 12-year career, even though sacks weren’t an official statistic when he played.

Lem Barney

Position: Cornerback
College: Jackson State
Seasons Played: 1967–77
Seasons With the Lions: 1967–77
Year Inducted: 1992
Stats: 56 interceptions, 10 total TDs
Awards: Defensive Rookie of the Year (1967)
Legacy Honors: Pride of the Lions
All-Pro: 1968–69
Pro Bowl: 1967–69, 1972–73, 1975–76

Throughout 11 seasons with the Lions, Lem Barney was among the best defensive backs in the NFL. With multiple interceptions every season, he is remembered as one of the best defenders in Lions history. He is also tied for 18th all-time in NFL history for career interceptions.

Barney was a second-round draft pick in 1967, and he made an immediate contribution for the Lions. He intercepted Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr in the first quarter of his debut and returned it 24 yards for a touchdown. After four weeks, Barney already had six interceptions for the 3-0-1 Lions. He'd cool considerably in the middle of the season, but then he electrified a home crowd with three interceptions in the season finale. That showing gave him an NFL-leading 10 interceptions on the season, which he returned for a league-best 232 yards and three touchdowns. Those touchdowns remain a single-season franchise record.

In 1968, Barney led the NFL with five fumble recoveries and also added another seven interceptions. Over the next two seasons, he had 15 more interceptions. By the end of his career, he had snared 56 interceptions, which ranks second on Detroit's all-time list. His 1,077 interception return yards and seven touchdowns are both franchise records, and he is also tied for the all-time team lead among defenders with 17 career fumble recoveries.

Yale Lary

Position: Defensive back, punter
College: Texas A&M
Seasons Played: 1952–53, 1956–64
Seasons With the Lions: 1952–53, 1956–64
Year Inducted: 1979
Stats: 50 interceptions, 503 punts for 22,279 yards
Legacy Honors: NFL 1950s All-Decade Team, Pride of the Lions
All-Pro: 1956–59, 1962–63
Pro Bowl: 1953, 1956–62, '64

After being taken as a third-round draft pick in 1952, Yale Lary was a dependable defender and punter for the Lions for more than a decade. Other than missing two seasons due to military service, he played in all but seven games throughout an 11-year career. He grabbed at least two interceptions every season as a safety, while doubling as the team's punter. He led the NFL in punting average in three seasons.

In his first two seasons, he helped the Lions win the NFL championship, and he picked up a third title in 1957. In each of those seasons, Detroit defeated Cleveland for the league crown. Following his military service in 1954 and '55, Lary returned to the Lions and had his best season. In 1956, he intercepted a career-high eight passes and returned one for a 73-yard touchdown. He was joined in the defensive backfield at times throughout his career by three other Hall of Famers.

Known as one of the greatest punters in the history of the league, Lary had an average of 44.3 yards on 503 punts, and he booted a punt at least 60 yards in all but two seasons. He's ranked 32nd all-time in punting average, but when he retired, he was second only to fellow Hall of Famer Sammy Baugh. Among players whose careers began before 2000, he is ranked third. Lary led the NFL in punting average in 1959 (47.1 yards per punt), '61 (48.4 YPP) and '63 (48.9 YPP). His mark from 1963 is tied for the 16th-best mark in NFL history.

Lou Creekmur

Position: Offensive lineman
College: William & Mary
Seasons Played: 1950–59
Seasons With the Lions: 1950–59
Year Inducted: 1996
Legacy Honors: Pride of the Lions
All-Pro: 1951–57
Pro Bowl: 1950–57

Lou Creekmur was nothing if not durable. He happened to be a pretty good offensive lineman, too. As a sturdy force up front for the Lions during the 1950s, Creekmur never missed a practice. Nor did he ever miss a preseason, regular season or postseason game during the first nine years of his 10-year career—all while helping Detroit win championships in 1952, '53 and '57. Despite that and his many All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections, it took 32 years for him to finally win election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Creekmur began his career as an offensive guard, but he switched to left tackle after two seasons and dominated that side of the line for many years. He was a 26th-round draft pick of the Eagles in 1948, but Creekmur elected to keep playing in college. The Lions acquired his rights in 1950, and they watched him block for several high-flying offenses. From 1950 to '57, the Lions never finished worse than fifth in total offense, and only twice did they finish outside the top five in scoring offense.

Toward the end of 1958, Creekmur announced he would be retiring at the end of what would become only the second losing season during his career. When the Lions began the 1959 season at 0–4, they summoned Creekmur—who returned for the final eight games of the season to help salvage a 3-8-1 record.

Barry Sanders

Position: Running back
College: Oklahoma State
Seasons Played: 1989–98
Seasons With the Lions: 1989–98
Year Inducted: 2004
Stats: 15,269 rushing yards, 99 TDs
Awards: Offensive Rookie of the Year (1989), NFL MVP (1997), NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1994, '97), Bert Bell Award (1991, '97)
Legacy Honors: NFL All-Time 100 Team, NFL 1990s All-Decade Team, Pride of the Lions
All-Pro: 1989–98
Pro Bowl: 1989–98

Sanders burst onto the scene as a rookie after being selected with the third pick in the 1989 NFL Draft. Despite missing training camp due to a contract dispute, he finished 11 yards shy of the league rushing title to win Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Sanders closed his season with a 158-yard, three-touchdown showing against the Falcons. He'd lead the league in rushing in 1990 and then have a breakout season in '91.

Sanders eclipsed the 1,500-yard rushing mark for the first time that season while adding a 220-yard, four-touchdown game against the Vikings. Detroit won 12 games in 1991, and Sanders helped the Lions to their only playoff victory since 1957. He'd again lead the league in rushing in 1994, '96 and '97, which is when he became the third player in history to rush for at least 2,000 yards in a season. He had 10 games with at least 100 yards in 1994, and that included a career-high 237-yard effort against the Buccaneers.

The best season during Sanders's career was his MVP season of 1997. He gained 2,053 yards and rushed for at least 100 yards in the last 14 games of the season to set an NFL record. Included in that stretch were a pair of games with more than 200 yards, and he added 11 touchdowns during the year. It was the fourth straight season for Sanders with at least 1,500 rushing yards—no other player in league history has accomplished the feat. He nearly added a fifth such season when he gained 1,491 yards on a league-high 343 carries in 1998.

Charlie Sanders

Position: Tight end
College: Minnesota
Seasons Played: 1968–77
Seasons With the Lions: 1968–77
Year Inducted: 2007
Stats: 4,817 receiving yards, 31 TDs
Legacy Honors: NFL 1970s All-Decade Team, Pride of the Lions
All-Pro: 1969–71
Pro Bowl: 1968–71, 1974–76

In 1968, in a third-round draft selection, the Lions found a player who would be their starting tight end for the next 10 seasons: Charlie Sanders. As a dependable blocker and adequate receiver, Sanders was among the NFL's premier players at his position throughout the 1970s. It's likely he would have played longer, but a severe knee injury ended his career before the 1977 season. After retirement, he stayed with the Lions as a scout, coach and broadcaster.

Playing in an era when tight ends were relied on as blockers more so than pass catchers, Sanders helped evolve the position with at least 40 catches in each of his first three seasons. He retired with the team record of 336 receptions, which wasn't broken until Herman Moore eclipsed the mark in 1996—while being coached by Sanders. He's now seventh all-time in team history, but he still has the most receptions, yards (4,817) and touchdowns (31) by a Detroit tight end.

Sanders was the only rookie selected to the Pro Bowl for the 1968 season, and he'd go on to make six more appearances. He closed his rookie season with a career-high 10 catches for 133 yards against the Washington Football Team, and in 1974 he had his career-best yardage total of 146 in a win over the Packers.

Bobby Layne

Position: Quarterback
College: Texas
Seasons Played: 1948–62
Seasons With the Lions: 1950–58
Year Inducted: 1967
Stats: 26,768 passing yards, 196 TDs
Awards: NFL 1950s All-Decade Team, Pride of the Lions, Lions No. 22 Retired
All-Pro: 1952, '54, '56, 1958–59
Pro Bowl: 1951–53, '56, 1958–59

Bobby Layne played for four different NFL teams, but many of his best seasons came during the nine years he spent with the Lions. There was, however, a lot of travel in the two years leading up to his acquisition. Originally drafted by the Steelers in 1948, Layne was then traded to the Bears after the draft. Going into the 1949 season, he was sent to the Bulldogs. When he finally arrived in Detroit in 1950, Layne began to develop into a Hall of Fame quarterback.

Layne's passing offenses finished no worse than sixth in the NFL standings while in Detroit, and he helped engineer NFL championship wins in 1952, '53 and '57 (though he did not play in the 1957 title game due to a broken leg). In 1950, Layne led the NFL in passing attempts and yardage, and during the next season, he paced the NFL in attempts, completions, yards and touchdowns. He was steady over the next five seasons, keeping his passing yards between 1,800 and 2,100 each year.

In 1950, Layne threw for 374 yards against the Bears for his top passing performance with the Lions. During his time in Detroit, Layne had three games where he threw four touchdowns. He had a 53-29-2 record with the Lions, and his 15,710 passing yards and 118 touchdowns stood as team records for more than 50 years. Layne struggled in the postseason, however, throwing 12 interceptions to one touchdown, but he did secure a 3–1 record.

Alex Wojciechowicz

Position: Center, linebacker
College: Fordham
Seasons Played: 1938–50
Seasons With the Lions: 1938–46
Year Inducted: 1968
Stats: 19 interceptions
Legacy Honors: NFL 1940s All-Decade Team, Pride of the Lions, Polish Sports Hall of Fame (1975)
All-Pro: 1939, '44

Alex Wojciechowicz was a first-round draft pick of the Lions in 1938, and he became a regular on the team's offense and defense for the next nine seasons. He played in 86 games for Detroit as a rare two-way player. Defensively as a linebacker, he scored his only career touchdown in 1940 on one of his 14 interceptions with the Lions. Included in that total were seven in 1944, which was Detroit’s single-season record for several years, and his career total was a franchise record until the 1950s. He also served as the team's center. Because of his two-way status, he was known as “Iron Man.”

He was released with two other Lions players following a 0–3 start to the 1946 season, and he was purchased by the Eagles two days later. Wojciechowicz, who became exclusively a linebacker, went on to win a pair of NFL championships in Philadelphia.

Dutch Clark

Position: All-Purpose
College: Colorado College
Seasons Played: 1931–32, 1934–38
Seasons With the Lions: 1931–32, 1934–38
Seasons Coached: 1937–42, '49
Seasons Coached With the Lions: 1937–38
Year Inducted: 1963
Stats: 1,507 passing yards, 2,772 rushing yards, 36 rushing TDs
Legacy Honors: NFL Top 100 All-Time Team, NFL 1930s All-Decade Team, Associated Press Player of the Decade (1930s), Pride of the Lions, Lions No. 7 Retired
All-Pro: 1931–32, 1934–37

Dutch Clark, also known as "The Flying Dutchman," was among the most popular football figures in the 1930s. As a versatile offensive force, Clark regularly scored touchdowns as a quarterback, running back and receiver. Not only that, he was a league-leading kicker in several seasons. While the Lions do not officially retire numbers, there was a ceremony held on Oct. 15, 1939, to honor Clark—and no one has worn his No. 7 since.

Clark's NFL career began when he was granted a leave from his coaching duties at Colorado College in 1931. In two seasons with the Portsmouth Spartans—who relocated to Detroit and became the Lions in 1934—Clark became an All-Pro talent, but he elected to return to college coaching at the Colorado School of Mines in 1933. He returned to the NFL with the Lions right before the 1934 season and became a superstar. He led the league in rushing touchdowns in 1934, '36 and '37. In 1935 and '36, he paced the NFL in total points scored, and he helped lead the Lions to the 1935 league championship.

Clark played 75 games and amassed 2,772 rushing yards, 1,507 passing yards and 341 receiving yards. He scored 42 total touchdowns and kicked 72 extra points and 15 field goals for 369 career points. In two seasons as player-coach of the Lions, Clark had back-to-back 7–4 records in 1937 and ‘38. He was one of 11 players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s inaugural induction class.

Jack Christiansen

Position: Safety
College: Colorado A&M
Seasons Played: 1951–58
Seasons With the Lions: 1951–58
Year Inducted: 1970
Stats: 46 interceptions, 3 TDs
Awards: NFL 1950s All-Decade Team, Pride of the Lions
All-Pro: 1952–57
Pro Bowl: 1953–57

Jack Christiansen was a steady hand in the secondary for the Lions after being taken as a sixth-round draft pick in 1951. He worked his way into the starting lineup as a rookie, and he became one of several Hall of Famers in Detroit's defense to hold down opponents in the 1950s. He led the league in interceptions twice, and he held the NFL record with eight punt returns for touchdowns when he retired in 1958. He remains tied for fourth all-time.

As a rookie, Christiansen established a still-standing NFL record by returning four punts for touchdowns, and three other players have since accomplished the same feat. Christiansen needed just two games to establish the record, scoring twice against both the Rams and the Packers. After helping the Lions win the NFL championship in 1952, Christiansen had a breakout season the following year. He matched the franchise record with 12 interceptions and added three fumble recoveries on the way to another championship.

Christiansen remained a standout and broke out again in 1957, when he led the league with 10 interceptions and picked up his third championship with the Lions. He briefly held the franchise's career record for interceptions with 46, and he is now fourth all-time. Following his retirement in 1958, he coached in the NFL for 25 years.

Dick "Night Train" Lane

Position: Cornerback
College: Scottsbluff J.C.
Seasons Played: 1952–65
Seasons With the Lions: 1960–65
Year Inducted: 1974
Stats: 68 interceptions, 6 TDs
Legacy Honors: NFL 100 Team, NFL 75th Anniversary Team, NFL 1950s All-Decade Team, Pride of the Lions
All-Pro: 1955, '56, '58, 1961–63
Pro Bowl: 1954–56, '58, 1960–62

After establishing himself as one of the best defensive players in the NFL, Dick "Night Train" Lane came to the Lions to close his career. Lane was traded to the Lions in the 1960 preseason, and he quickly established the fans' trust by racking up four interceptions through six games, making him a favorite for six seasons. A major knee injury took its toll over the last two years of his career—but even today, he is still regarded as one of the best defensive backs ever to play professionally.

In his first season with the Lions, Lane intercepted Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas and returned it for an 80-yard touchdown. Two games later, he picked off two passes against the 49ers. In the opening games of the 1961 and '63 seasons, Lane had two interceptions to set each of those campaigns into positive motion. After 20 interceptions in four seasons, Lane's career was derailed starting in 1964. He'd play just seven games each of the next two seasons after a knee injury.

Known as one of the most ferocious tacklers of all time, Lane was the only Lions' player represented on the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team, which was revealed in 1994. In 66 games with the Lions, he intercepted 21 passes and returned them 272 yards. He also recovered four fumbles. Following his retirement, he remained with the team through 1972 as a special assistant to Lions owner William Clay Ford.

Doak Walker

Position: Running back, kicker
College: SMU
Seasons Played: 1950–55
Seasons With the Lions: 1950–55
Year Inducted: 1986
Stats: 1,520 rushing yards, 2,539 receiving yards, 534 points
Awards: Rookie of the Year (1950)
Legacy Honors: Pride of the Lions, Lions No. 37 Retired
All-Pro: 1950–51, 1953–54
Pro Bowl: 1950–51, 1953–55

Doak Walker did a little bit of everything for the Lions. As an All-American and Heisman Trophy winner as a running back at SMU, Walker came into the NFL with high expectations. And while his statistics weren't necessarily eye-popping, his versatility made him a valuable commodity to a team that would win a pair of NFL championships during his tenure.

As a rookie, Walker had 920 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns, while adding eight field goals and 38 extra points. By involving himself in so many aspects of the game, he helped the Lions finish in the top five in total offense every season he played and in scoring offense in all but the 1955 season. He led the league with 43 extra points in both 1951 and '54, and he booted a career-high 12 field goals in 1953.

He retired after just six seasons to pursue other business interests, and he was immediately honored by the team. His jersey number became the second ever to be unofficially retired by the Lions, but he didn't make it to the Hall of Fame for three more decades.

Dick Stanfel

Position: Offensive guard
College: San Francisco
Seasons Played: 1952–58
Seasons With the Lions: 1952–55
Year Inducted: 2016
Awards: NFL 1950s All-Decade Team, Pride of the Lions
All-Pro: 1953–54, 1956–58
Pro Bowl: 1953, 1955–58

Dick Stanfel played the first four years of a seven-year career with the Lions, helping pave the way for a prolific offense that won a pair of NFL championships. The offensive guard was selected with the 19th pick of the 1951 NFL Draft, but he was unable to play that season due to a knee injury he sustained in a college All-Star game. Once he recovered, however, Stanfel became one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL.

He helped the 1952 Lions to the NFL championship by blocking for the NFL's No. 2 offense. The following season, he was named the team's MVP as the Lions held the No. 3 rushing attack on the way to a second straight title. He missed several games in 1954 due to a back injury but still contributed to the NFL's No. 1 scoring offense. The next year, he sustained a spinal injury as the Lions fell to their first losing season since 1949, and he was traded to the Washington Football Team. He made three straight Pro Bowl appearances in Washington and later spent 31 seasons as an assistant coach.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Curley Culp waves to the crowd during the Grand Parade before the 2019 enshrinement ceremony in Canton, Ohio.

Hall of Famers Who Made a Stop With the Lions

While the bulk of the Hall of Famers who represent the Lions played most of their career with the team, several other legends only made quick stops in Detroit. The six players who spent three or fewer seasons with the Lions are featured below.

Bill Dudley

Position: Running back
College: Virginia
Seasons Played: 1942, 1945–51, '53
Seasons With the Lions: 1947–49
Year Inducted: 1966
Stats: 36 offensive TDs, 23 interceptions
Awards: NFL MVP (1946)
Legacy Honors: NFL 1940s All-Decade Team
All-Pro: 1942, '46
Pro Bowl: 1950–51

Bill Dudley came to the Lions via a trade with the Steelers, and he became the highest-paid player in Detroit history. His only full season in Detroit came in 1949, but during his tenure he had 801 rushing yards, 775 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns. Additionally, he played special teams as a punter, kicker and return man. On defense, he had seven fumble recoveries, six interceptions and a touchdown. He spent three seasons with the Steelers before coming to the Lions, and he finished his career with three seasons for the Washington Football Team.

John Henry Johnson

Position: Running back
College: Arizona State, St. Mary's (Calif.)
Seasons Played: 1954–66
Seasons With the Lions: 1957–59
Year Inducted: 1987
Stats: 6,803 rushing yards, 48 rushing TDs
All-Pro: 1962
Pro Bowl: 1954, 1962–64

The Lions traded for John Henry Johnson prior to the 1957 season, and he made himself a player to remember by helping Detroit win an NFL championship. Injuries would ail him in 1958, and he faced team discipline in 1959 after missing a team plane. In three seasons with the Lions, he rushed for 1,145 yards and seven touchdowns. He was traded to the Steelers after the 1959 season.

Curley Culp

Position: Defensive tackle
College: Arizona State
Seasons Played: 1968–81
Seasons With the Lions: 1980–81
Year Inducted: 2013
Stats: 13 fumble recoveries
Awards: NEA NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1975)
All-Pro: 1975, 1978–79
Pro Bowl: 1969, '71, 1975–78

The Lions signed Curley Culp in 1980 after he was waived by the Houston Oilers and the Washington Football Team during the season to bolster a defensive line that was hoping to lead Detroit into the playoffs. The Lions fell one win shy of the division title, and Culp would retire after a handful of games in 1981. He played just five total games with the Lions after building a reputation as one of the NFL’s strongest defensive lineman with the Chiefs and the Oilers.

Frank Gatski

Position: Center
College: Marshall, Auburn
Seasons Played: 1946–57
Seasons With the Lions: 1957
Year Inducted: 1985
All-Pro: 1952–55
Pro Bowl: 1956

Frank Gatski knew how to win championships. He joined the Lions in 1957 after picking up seven titles with the Browns from 1946 to ‘56. He won another in 1957—by beating the Browns. Gatski was a true ironman, having played every game of his career and never missing a practice.

Ollie Matson

Position: Running back
College: San Francisco
Seasons Played: 1952, 1954–66
Seasons With the Lions: 1963
Year Inducted: 1972
Stats: 5,173 rushing yards, 40 rushing TDs, 23 receiving TDs
Legacy Honors: NFL 1950s All-Decade Team
All-Pro: 1952, 1954–57
Pro Bowl: 1952, 1954–58

Ollie Matson played one season with the Lions, but he didn't leave a lasting mark on franchise history. In eight games, he gained just 40 offensive yards and had 61 yards returning kicks, leaving 1963 as the only year in his career in which he didn't score a touchdown. Matson also played for the Cardinals, Rams and Eagles.

Hugh McElhenny

Position: Running back
College: Washington
Seasons Played: 1952–64
Seasons With the Lions: 1964
Year Inducted: 1970
Stats: 5,281 rushing yards, 38 rushing TDs, 20 receiving TDs
Legacy Honors: NFL 1950s All-Decade Team
All-Pro: 1952–54, 1956–57
Pro Bowl: 1952–53, 1956–58, '61

Hugh McElhenny closed a Hall of Fame career with one season for the Lions. He was most known for his exploits with the 49ers; while in Detroit he only appeared in eight games. During those few games, he gained 64 offensive yards and had 72 return yards.

August 22, 2020 at 05:30AM
Detroit Lions Hall of Fame Players: A Complete History

Pages

Total Pageviews