Two Lions Legends Get Their Due
Two former Detroit Lions made this year’s Michigan Sports Hall of Fame nominee list, and honestly, it’s about damn time.
Kevin Glover and Thomas “Pepper” Johnson are both up for consideration in the Professional category. The Michigan Sports HOF has been around since 1954, honoring athletes, coaches, media types, and other contributors to the state’s sports history.
Glover was drafted by the Lions in 1985 and anchored the offensive line for 13 seasons in Detroit. The center earned three Pro Bowl nods and four All-Pro selections during his 15-year NFL career. More importantly, he was a key piece of the blocking scheme that helped Barry Sanders do Barry Sanders things.
And yes, I know what you’re thinking. Barry made everyone around him look good. But Glover was legitimately excellent at his job, the kind of steady, smart center that championship teams are built around. We just happened to waste those championship-caliber pieces on teams that couldn’t get out of their own way.
Pepper’s Homecoming
Pepper Johnson’s story hits different. Born in Detroit, he dominated at MacKenzie High School and landed on the state’s all-decade team for the 1980s. The linebacker went to Ohio State, earned All-American honors as a senior in 1985, then won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants between 1986 and 1992.
In 1996, he came home to play for the Lions. By then, of course, we were deep into the wilderness years that defined this franchise for decades. Johnson got to experience Lions football in all its soul-crushing glory, but at least he already had his rings.
Both guys deserve recognition. Glover was one of the best centers of his era, and Pepper was a Detroit kid who made it to the mountaintop before returning to help his hometown team. That’s the kind of career trajectory Lions fans can only dream about these days.
Quick Hits Around Allen Park
Fans can vote for Hall of Fame nominees through Friday, June 12, scoring each candidate on a 1-10 scale. You can cast your vote online, and honestly, both Lions deserve your consideration.
Meanwhile, someone on The Feed found a YouTube breakdown of how the Lions offensive coordinator’s scheme could be perfect for Jahmyr Gibbs. File that under “things that make sense” and “reasons to be cautiously optimistic about the coordinator.”
Faygo dropped a fun new ad featuring Gibbs racing against Grand Prix driver Nolan Allaer. It’s peak Detroit marketing, and Gibbs continues to be everything we hoped he’d be when the Lions selected him.
Also, happy birthday to linebacker Derrick Barnes. The man has been a pleasant surprise and a reliable piece in this defense’s evolution under Dan Campbell.
Think Glover and Pepper both deserve Hall of Fame recognition, or are we just being hometown homers? Drop your take below.
Kevin Glover absolutely deserves this recognition man. He was the steady hand that made that offense work and people sleep on how important centers are to everything downfield. Glad he’s finally getting his flowers before it’s too late.
Look I’m not gonna sit here and act like Michigan Sports HOF is on the same level as Canton, but okay sure let’s vote for them. Just want to make sure we’re not overstating things you know? Still cool to see homegrown Detroit talent get recognized though.
Pepper coming back home is a story that never gets old. He won championships elsewhere and still wanted to put on the Honolulu blue, that says everything about what this team meant to people. Different era now with Campbell and Holmes but that loyalty hits different.