Selected in the ninth round of the 1948 NFL Draft out of USC—where he was a versatile star running back, safety, and punter for the Trojans—Don Doll arrived in Detroit in 1949 and quickly became one of the premier defensive backs in professional football. Stepping into the secondary for the Lions, the ball-hawking safety delivered a sensational rookie campaign, snatching 11 interceptions to jumpstart a dominant era for Detroit's defense.

Doll followed up his brilliant debut with an equally astonishing sophomore performance in 1950, picking off another 12 passes. By recording back-to-back double-digit interception seasons to open his NFL career, he accomplished a feat that remains unprecedented in league history. His rare closing speed, range from a single-high safety, and offensive instincts made passing anywhere near his zone a high-stakes gamble for opposing quarterbacks.

His early-career dominance earned him three consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 1951 through 1953, alongside a First-Team AP All-Pro selection in 1951. Doll served as a defensive cornerstone during the franchise's rapid rise into an NFL powerhouse. His turnover creation in the secondary provided key momentum turns that propelled Detroit to the 1952 NFL Championship, defeating the Cleveland Browns 17–7 to claim the franchise's first league title in nearly two decades.

After four brilliant seasons with the Lions, Doll played single seasons with the Washington Redskins (1953) and Los Angeles Rams (1954) before retiring at age 28.  He compiled 26 interceptions for 464 return yards with Detroit.