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Detroit Lions DT Alex Karras selected to Pro Football Hall of Fame

Alex Karras AP images
Posted at 9:36 AM, Jan 15, 2020
and last updated 2020-01-15 19:53:07-05

(WXYZ) — Detroit Lions great Alex Karras was one of 15 people selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, announced on Good Morning America on Wednesday.

Karras, who played for the Lions from 1958-1970, will be inducted posthumously as he died in 2012.

"One of the NFL alumni's most famous faces on the big and small screen, Alex Karras was as destructive on the NFL field as he was noticeable in projects such as 'Blazing Saddles' and the TV show 'Webster.'" the NFL wrote.

He was selected to four Pro Bowls during his career, and was a first-team all-pro three times.

Karras will join other Lions players in the Hall of Fame, including Lem Barney, Dick "Night Train" Lane, Doak Walker, Charlie Sanders, Dick LeBeau, Bobby Layne and Barry Sanders. In all, there are 20 former players in the HOF.

Others selected to the Hall of Fame this year include legendary coaches Jimmy Johnson and Bill Cowher, as well as Jim Covert, Winston Hill, Harold Carmichael, Duke Slater, Ed Sprinkle, Steve Sabol, Bobby Dillon and Donnie Shell.

In 2018, the Lions announced they were adding Karras' name to the team's Ring of Honor along with Roger Brown and Herman Moore.

“Roger Brown, Alex Karras and Herman Moore each exemplified what it meant to be a Detroit Lion in their own unique way as players and teammates. All three of them are befitting of the greatest individual honor our organization can give to a Lions Legend," Team President Rod Wood said at the time.