Lions to honor Jason Hanson before regular-season opener

Before the Detroit Lions kick off their first regular-season game of the post-Jason Hanson era, the former Detroit Lions kicker is going to be honored. Specifically, the Lions are going to induct him into the "Pride of the Lions" before their Week 1 game against the Minnesota Vikings, according to the Free Press.

As noted by the Free Press, Hanson will become the first and only player in the "Pride of the Lions" who isn't a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Twelve players were inducted into the ring when the concept was introduced in 2009: Barry Sanders, Joe Schmidt, Charlie Sanders, Lem Barney, Yale Lary, Dutch Clark, Alex Wojciechowicz, Doak Walker, Bobby Layne, Jack Christiansen, Dick Lane and Lou Creekmur.

Dick LeBeau joined the ring a year later.

Hanson, who retired in April, will get to watch new Lions kicker David Akers make his regular-season debut with the team. Akers officially won the Lions' kicker battle on Tuesday when Detroit released Havard Rugland.

More from Pride Of Detroit:

• Lions roster cuts: Evaluating the first round of moves
• NFL roster cuts: Lions release Cameron Morrah, Matt Veldman
• Lions injury report: Several notable players still out
• NFL roster cuts: Lions release Terrence Austin
• Lions roster cuts: Havard Rugland, DeQuan Menzie released