A former NFL defensive great will forever be immortalized at the home of the Detroit Lions.
The Lions announced on Aug. 23 that former defensive end Robert Porcher will be inducted into the team’s “Pride of the Lions” during halftime of the Lions home opener, Sept. 14, against the Chicago Bears.
The “Pride of the Lions” is a permanent display at Ford Field which honors the greatest players in franchise history.
GettyTEMPE, AZ – DECEMBER 8: Robert Porcher #91 of the Detroit Lions is tackled by Leonard Davis #75 of the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game on December 8, 2002 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.. The Cardinals won in overtime 23-20. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
The Lions already recognize 21 players as part of the pride. Most recently, WR Calvin Johnson Jr. was inducted in 2024, OT Lomas Brown was inducted in 2023, and LB Chris Spielman was inducted in 2021.
Other members include DT Roger Brown, DT Alex Karras, WR Herman Moore, CB Lem Barney, S Jack Christiansen, QB Dutch Clark, OL Lou Creekmur, K Jason Hanson, CB Dick “Night Train” Lane, S Yale Lary, QB Bobby Layne, CB Dick LeBeau, RB Barry Sanders, TE Charlie Sanders, LB Joe Schmidt, G Dick Stanfel, RB Doak Walker and OL Alex Wojciechowicz.
Robert Porcher is One of the Great Defensive Ends in NFL History
Porcher, 56, established himself as one of the most dominant defensive players in Lions history.
Born in Wando, South Carolina, Porcher attended South Carolina State and was the 26th overall pick in the 1992 NFL draft by the Lions. He played his entire career in Detroit, retiring in 2004.
Over the course of his 13-year career, he was selected to three Pro Bowls and was named to the Lions All-Time Team in 2008, an honor presented during the franchise’s 75th season celebration.
Porcher remains the Lions’ all-time sack leader with 95.5 career sacks. He also holds the franchise’s single-season sack record, recording 15 sacks in 1999. Demonstrating remarkable consistency, he produced five double-digit sack seasons, the most by any player in Lions history.
Durability and longevity were also hallmarks of Porcher’s career. He started 158 of his 187 games with the Lions, ranking third in franchise history for most starts by a defensive player and second in games played by a defensive player. His combination of productivity, leadership, and dependability made him one of the greatest defensive players to ever wear the Honolulu blue and silver.
“We are thrilled to cement Robert Porcher’s legacy as one of the all-time Lions greats,” said Detroit Lions President & CEO Rod Wood in a statement. “As someone who spent his entire 13-year career in Detroit and holds our franchise record for career sacks, 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 when we take on the Chicago Bears for our home opener.”
Robert Porcher was Surprised with the Title at Lions’ Practice
Porcher was surprised with the news by his former teammates — Jason Hanson, Herman Moore and Chris Spielman — while attending training camp practice on Aug. 21. The men were all wearing Honolulu blue suit jackets.
“I remember he just made big play after big play,” said Barry Sanders in a video tribute to Porcher. “If we needed a sack, we needed pressure, I feel like he made an immediate impact. But he definitely was a gamer.”
The Lions begin the season at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 7 at 4:25 p.m. EDT. Then the Bears come to town next Sunday at 1 p.m. EDT.
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