The Detroit Lions have another former player heading to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It was announced on Saturday in Miami that former tight end Charlie Sanders was one of six players to be voted into this year's hall of fame class.
Sanders was a phenomenal pass-catcher for the Lions from 1968 to 1977. During that span in Detroit, Sanders caught 336 passes for 4,817 yards. When finishing his career, he was the franchise leader in catches and and second best in yards.
Aside from the statistical part of his career, Charlie Sanders accomplished many other great things and is regarded as one of the best tight ends to ever play the game.
- Chosen by the Hall of Fame committee as tight end on the NFL's Team of the `70s.
- He appeared in SEVEN Pro Bowls, and was twice named All-Pro.
- Played in 128 games and missed only 12 games during his career.
- Sanders was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1990, the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, his native state, in 1997, and the Guilford County (Greensboro, N.C.) Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.
- As a two-sport star (football and basketball) at the University of Minnesota, Sanders concluded his senior season as the Gophers' leading receiver after hauling in 21 receptions for 276 yards and two touchdowns helping his team win a share of the 1967 Big Ten title.
With his induction this coming August, Charlie Sanders will be the 17th former Lion to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (minimum 1 season). He also is the first since another former Lion that shares the same last name was enshrined in Canton, Ohio, just a few years ago. Of course, I'm talking about legendary running back Barry Sanders, who was apart of the 2004 class.
Congratulations to Charlie Sanders on being voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as it is very deserving.