
Lions 1989 first round draft pick Barry Sanders gets a tour of the Lions facilities from head coach Wayne Fontes.
Alan R. Kamuda, Detroit Free Press

Gail Cogdill, wide receiver for Detroit Lions in action against Rams.
Dick Tripp, Free Press

1955 Detroit Lions team running out for practice. Left-to-right: Jim David, Karl Karilivacs, Lew Carpenter (#34), Sherwin Candee, and Jack Christiansen.
Free Press File Photo

Herman Moore the Lions top draft pick in 1991.
Free Press File Photo

Quarterback Bobby Layne played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1959.
AP Photo

Mel Farr of the Detroit Lions pictured in 1967.
Dick Tripp, Detroit Free Press

Bubba Baker shows how he feels about the Lions heading for the playoffs.
Free Press File Photo

Dick LeBeau of the Detroit Lions pictured in 1968.
Ira Rosenberg, Detroit Free Press

Mel Farr in a Lion’s uniform with sons Mel Jr. #45 and Mike #81.
Alan Kamuda, Detroit Free Press

Lions tight end Charlie Sanders, goes high for a ball against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Free Press File Photo

Herman Moore goes up for a grab in 1992 against the Browns.
Julian Gonzalez, Detroit Free Press

GM Russ Thomas, left, and coach Monte Clark were all smiles when Billy Sims officially became a Lion in 1980.
William Archie, Detroit Free Press

Injured Detroit Lions tight end Charlie Sanders, is pictured in 1972.
Ed Haun, Detroit Free Press Photo

Detroit Lions cornerback Lem Barney.
Detroit Free Press File Photo

Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders runs past Chicago Bears defenseman Vestee Jackson at Soldier Field in 1989.
Al Kamuda, Detroit Free Press

Lions coach Wayne Fontes with QB Rodney Peete and Barry Sanders in 1990.
Jessica Green, Detroit Free Press

In 1967, Lem Barney picked off an Atlanta pass in the first quarter and ran 45 yards for his second touchdown of the year, then tossed the football to gleeful fans in the end zone.
Dick Tripp, Detroit Free Press

Lions linebacker Chris Spielman in 1991.
Julian H. Gonzalez, Detroit Free Press

Billy Sims of the Lions breaks loss against 49ers in1983.
Free Press File Photo

The badly bruised area of the upper left arm of Dick LeBeau, Detroit Lions defensive half-back, is protected by a fiber glass injury pad. Lions trainer Millard Kelley, who custom-made the pad specifically for LeBeau’s injury, shows how it is placed on the arm. The pad is held in place with an elastic tape.
Free Press File Photo

After intercepting a pass against the Chicago Bears in the 2nd quarter, Detroit Lions cornerback Dick LeBeau (44) tugs on the sleeve of teammate Lem Barney (20) to indicate the desired path for his 26-yard runback. The Lions won 16-10 on Oct. 25, 1970.
AP

Luke Lindon of Detroit Lions pictured in 1946.
Free Press File Photo

Sad day for ‘Friday’ Macklem, Detroit Lions equipment manager, as he hangs up the jerseys of Les Bingaman (65), Thurman McGraw (73), and Bill Bowman (33), who will not be with the club this year. Bingaman and McGraw, outstanding linesman, retired at the end of the 1954 campaign and Bowman, speedy fullback, has entered the service.
Free Press File Photo

Detroit Lions quarterback Milt Plum.
AP Photo

Lou Creekmur, NFL left offensive tackle/guard for the Detroit Lions.
Free Press File Photo

Lions end Kelly Mote, Detroit Lions stands at 6.2, 190 pounds, formerly of Duke University.
Free Press File Photo

Jim Gibbons, Detroit Lions, takes a pass away from Bob Harrison, Baltimore Colts in 1961.
Free Press File Photo

What do you say to coach Harry Gilmer of the Detroit Lions if your name is Milt Plum (16) and you’re Lions quarterback. Plum isn’t talking during this point of Detroit’s 31-7 loss to the Baltimore Colts. Four of the passes thrown by Plum were intercepted. AP Photo
Associated Press

Detroit Lions football players Tobin Rote, Bobby Layne and head coach George Wilson.
Detroit Free Press File Photo

Wally Triplett, halfback, Detroit Lions is pictured in 1950.
Free Press File Photo

Tommy Hudspeth, head coach of the Detroit Lions talks with Sanders and Landry on the sidelines.
Tony Spina, Detroit Free Press

Detroit Lions tackle Tom Kennedy from Wayne State University stands at 6ft and 215 pounds is pictured in 1944.
Free Press File Photo

University of Michigan end John Henderson, drafted last fall in 1965 by the Philadelphia Eagles turned up Friday signed by the Lions. The Lions gave up a future draft choice for Henderson who had been picked No. 5 by the Eagles.
Les Poosch, Detroit Free Press

HARD TO MOVE-That’s Errol Linden (facing camera), giant Lion rookie who is bidding for a spot is the offensive line. The Lions make their debut in Tiger Stadium Friday night, Aug. 11, 1961, in the annual Free Press Fresh Air Fund game, opposing the Cleveland Browns
Free Press File Photo

Lions safety Bennie Blades Sr. pictured in 1990.
Manny Crisostomo, Detroit Free Press