A ROARING START Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders tore through opposing defenses in the 1990s on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame But the Lions could run the ball long before that Their rushing tradition was born early in Detroit In fact the Lions barely passed at all in winning their first National Football League NFL championship game Barry Sanders is the greatest running back in Detroit Lions history
Detroit football fans did not have to wait long for glory The Lions won the NFL title in their second year in Detroit On December 15 1935 the Lions beat the New York Giants 26 7 to win the NFL title Ace Gutowsky and Glenn Presnell Detroit's top passers combined to throw the ball just five times in the game Ace Gutowsky center hurdles over the New York Giants defense in a 1936 game
Dutch Clark was one of the stars of the early Lions teams
