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10. Alex Karras

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10. Alex Karras
“Never mind that shit.  Here comes Mongo!”

Alex Karras may not have been the best defensive player to ever suit up for the Detroit Lions, but there was no denying that he was the most popular and was in many ways iconic.
Karras would remain in the public eye long after football for his work in television, film, and broadcasting, but he was one hell of a player at Defensive Tackle.  A four-time Pro Bowler and member of the 1960’s All-Decade Team, Karras was a dominating figure for the Lions throughout the 1960s (barring the one year in 1963 when he was suspended for gambling on the NFL).

In 2020, he was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame when he was selected by the Centennial Slate Committee.  Detroit had already honored him when they chose him as part of the Pride of the Lions in 2018.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Defensive Tackle
  • Acquired: Drafted in the 1st Round, 10th Overall 12/2/57.
  • Departed: Retired after the 1970 Season.
  • Games Played: 140
  • Notable Statistics: 156 Games Started
    4 Interceptions
    57 Interception Return Yards
    16 Fumble Recoveries
    3 Fumble Recovery Yards
    100 Quarterback Sacks**
    1 Kick Return
    16 Kick Return Yards
    122 Approximate Value*

    1 Playoff Game

    *Approximate Value was not a stat until the 1960 Season.
    **Sacks were unofficially calculated by Pro Football Reference from 1960 to 1981.
  • Major Accolades and Awards: First Team All-Pro (1960, 1961 & 1965)
    Second Team All-Pro (1962, 1964 & 1966)
    Pro Bowl (1960, 1961 1962 & 1965)
Last modified on Monday, 18 July 2022 15:57
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