Chris Spielman To Join Lions Ring of Honor

The Detroit Lions announced on Thursday that they will add former linebacker Chris Spielman (pictured above, #54) to the team's Ring of Honor (known as Pride of the Lions) at halftime of the team's game against the Philadelphia Eagles on October 31st at Ford Field.

Actually, the team surprised him on Thursday:

Spielman joined the Lions in 1988 out of Ohio State and quickly became one of the best linebackers in franchise history.

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Chris was the team's second-round pick in 1988, and stayed with the Lions until 1995.  He was a four-time Pro Bowler in Detroit, and is the team's all-time tackles leader.

Team President Rod Wood said of Spielman's announcement:  "The Detroit Lions could not be prouder of Chris Spielman's accomplishments on the field and in the community. He was pivotal to the success the team enjoyed during his time as a player and his induction into the Pride of the Lions cements his place in our history, we are thrilled Chris has rejoined the organization as a key member to build the future and we are proud to present him with the highest individual honor we can give to a Lions Legend."

He signed with the Buffalo Bills after the 1995 season, and played two seasons for the Bills before taking the 1998 season off to help his wife, Stefanie in her fight against breast cancer (Stefanie passed away due to breast cancer in 2009).  He finished his career with the Cleveland Browns in 1999.

After his career was over, he became a broadcaster for college football and the NFL for ESPN and FOX.  He left FOX in 2020 to take a job in the Lions front office.

Spielman joins Pro Football Hall of Famers Alex Karras, Joe Schmidt, Lem Barney, Calvin Johnson, and former teammate Barry Sanders in the team's Pride of the Lions.

Chris is the 19th member of the Pride of the Lions.  Other legends in the Pride are: Bobby Layne, Doak Walker, and Dick "Night Train" Lane.