Tag: Mel Gray

Several former Lions are initial nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2022

Lomas Brown and Anquan Boldin are the headliners but Jason Hanson is somehow not on the list

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has released its initial modern-era nominees for the induction class of 2022. Among the initial nominees, several players spent at least part of their careers with the Lions.

Dre Bly (2003-2006)

Anquan Boldin (2016)

Lomas Brown (1985-1995)

Jeff Garcia (2005)

Kevin Glover (1985-1997)

Mel Gray (1989-1994)

Dave Krieg (1994)

Pat Swilling (1993-1994)

Not making the list is longtime kicker Jason Hanson, who retired in 2012. Hanson ranks fourth in NFL history in scoring, sixth in games and first in career extra points made. There are seven specialists nominated but none are Hanson. Also prominent among the snubs is former Lions wideout Herman Moore.

Of the ex-Lions, offensive tackle Lomas Brown and wide receiver Anquan Boldin appear to have the best chances to move forward in the nomination process.

The list of 125 modern-era nominees will be reduced to 25 semifinalists in November and subsequently down to 15 in January.

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Calvin Johnson, Jason Hanson among Lions nominated for Pro Football Hall of Fame

Will Calvin Johnson get in on the first ballot?

Calvin Johnson is the headliner among nine players with Detroit Lions ties who made the initial cut as nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction class of 2021.

Johnson is in his first year of eligibility after retiring following the 2015 season. He spent his entire 9-year career with the Lions, earning three All-Pro nods and making six Pro Bowls. “Megatron” still holds the NFL record for receiving yards in a season with 1,964 in 2012 and his 86.1 receiving yards per game ranks fourth all-time.

Longtime Lions kicker Jason Hanson, who ranks fourth all-time in scoring, joins several players from the 1990s Detroit teams on the nominee list. Left tackle Lomas Brown and guard/center Kevin Glover both made the cut. So did linebacker Chris Spielman and return man extraordinaire Mel Gray.

Three others who played for the Lions but aren’t primarily known for their time in Motown also appear on the list of 130: QB Dave Krieg, OLB Pat Swilling and PK David Akers.

The full list of nominees, which includes first-timers Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson, is available via the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The list of nominees will be reduced to 25 semifinalists in November. The selection committee then whittles down to 15 in January before announcing the class in February.

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