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Hall of Fame

Speaking of Charlie

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Of the five tight ends listed on the current Hall of Fame ballot, only Detroit Lions great Charlie Sanders competed against all three tight end Hall of Famers – Mike Ditka, John Mackey and Jackie Smith. Playing in an era when the tight end was a blocker first and a receiver second, Sanders' achievements rank him favorably among the very best to have played the game.

· 2007 Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist.

· Considered the finest tight end in Detroit Lions history.

· Seven-time Pro Bowl selection (two more Pro Bowls than any tight end Hall of Famer) in his 10 NFL seasons.

· Two-time NFL All-Pro honoree.

· Chosen by the Hall of Fame committee as tight end on the National Football League’s "Team of the ‘70s".

· Detroit’s all-time leading receiver with 336 receptions, second in yards gained with 4,817, and fourth in touchdown catches with 31.

· The team’s leading receiver in four of his 10 seasons, Sanders enjoyed his best year in 1969 when he gained 656 yards on 42 receptions (he also caught 42 passes in 1974).

· Had his best single-game effort during his rookie season when he grabbed 10 passes for 133 yards against Washington (Dec. 15, 1968).

· In 1969, he was the only rookie selected to appear in the Pro Bowl.

· Sanders finished second to teammate Earl McCullough for the NFL Rookie of the Year honors in 1969.

· Inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.

· Has spent over 22 years with the Detroit Lions – 10 years as a player, six as a Lions radio broadcaster, and the last several years as as assistant on the Lions’ coaching staff (receivers).

· Off the field... Sanders was an active participant on the Board of the Detroit chapter of the March of Dimes; visited high schools and Army posts as a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes; donated his time to the Police Recruitment Program and local substance abuse programs; and appeared on national television on behalf of the United Way and the National Center for Voluntary Action.

·A two-sport star (football and basketball) at the University of Minnesota, Sanders concluded his senior season as the Gophers’ leading receiver after hauling in 21 receptions for 276 yards and two TD’s helping his team win a share of the 1967 Big Ten title.

· Born August 25, 1946, Charlie and his wife, Georgianna, have nine children (Mia, Charese, Mary Jo, Georgianna, Charlie Jr., Nathalie, Tallisa, Wayne and Jordan).