DT
Alex Karras
Class of 2020
All-Decade Team
1960s
Games
161
Pro Bowls
4
Seasons
12
“I never had to work myself up for a game. I hated everybody, even my teammates, I never talked to anybody.”
Alex Karras, a 6’2”, 248-pound defensive tackle from Gary, Indiana, was drafted in the first round (10th player overall) of the 1958 draft by the Detroit Lions. A standout from the University of Iowa, he was voted college football’s outstanding lineman in 1957 and was a collegiate heavyweight wrestling champ.
Karras was the dominant defensive tackle of his era who utilized a variety of moves to elude opponent blockers. His durability was evidenced by him missing just one game during his 12-year career and starting in 153 consecutive games.
A true team leader for the Lions, Karras led a Detroit defense that finished second in points allowed in the NFL three times that resulted in the best win-loss records during his career – 11-3 in 1962, 9-4-1 in 1969 and 10-4-0 in 1970. His career was capped with his lone playoff appearance in 1970.
A member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1960s, Karras was selected First-Team All-Pro four times (1960-62, 1965), Second-Team All-Pro eight times and voted to four Pro Bowls. During his 12 season (1958-1962, 1964-1970) career, Karras played in 161 games. His career totals include four interceptions, 17 fumble recoveries and one safety that season.
During the off season, Karras kept busy as a national television personality. Karras passed away on Oct. 10, 2012 at the age of 77.
Career Statistics
Games Played:
1958 Detroit...................................... 12
1959 Detroit...................................... 12
1960 Detroit...................................... 12
1961 Detroit...................................... 14
1962 Detroit...................................... 14
1964 Detroit...................................... 14
1965 Detroit...................................... 14
1966 Detroit...................................... 14
1967 Detroit...................................... 14
1968 Detroit...................................... 14
1969 Detroit...................................... 14
1970 Detroit...................................... 13
Career Total 161
Additional Career Statistics: Kickoff Returns: 1-16; Interceptions: 4-57; Safety: 1
All-League Teams
All-NFL: 1960 (AP, UPI) · 1961 (AP, UPI) · 1962 (UPI, NEA) · 1965 (AP, UPI, NEA, NY)
All-NFL Second Team: 1960 (NY) · 1961 (NY) · 1962 (AP) · 1964 (AP, UPI, NEA, NY) · 1966 (AP, UPI, NY) · 1967 (AP, UPI, NEA, NY) · 1968 (NEA, NY) · 1969 (AP, UPI, NEA)
All-Western Conference: 1961 (SN) · 1962 (SN) · 1967 (SN) · 1968 (SN)
Pro Bowls
(4) – 1961, 1962, 1963, 1966
Team Records
Lions records held by Karras
(Records through the 1970 season, Karras’ final season with Detroit)
· [4th] Most Seasons – 12
· [4th] Most Games – 161
Awards and Honors
· 1960's All-Decade Team
Year-by-Year Team Records
1958 Detroit Lions....................... 4-7-1 (5th)
1959 Detroit Lions....................... 3-8-1 (5th)
1960 Detroit Lions....................... 7-5-0 (2nd)
1961 Detroit Lions....................... 8-5-1 (2nd)
1962 Detroit Lions..................... 11-3-0 (2nd)
1964 Detroit Lions....................... 7-5-2 (4th)
1965 Detroit Lions....................... 6-7-1 (6th)
1966 Detroit Lions....................... 4-9-1 (6th)
1967 Detroit Lions....................... 7-5-2 (3rd)
1968 Detroit Lions....................... 4-8-2 (4th)
1969 Detroit Lions....................... 9-4-1 (2nd)
1970 Detroit Lions.................... 10-4-0 (2nd)
(Division Finish in Parentheses)
Qualified for Postseason in Bold
Full Name: Alexander George Karras
Birthdate: July 15, 1935
Birthplace: Gary, Indiana
Died: October 10, 2012
High School: Emerson (Gary, IN)
Pro Career: 12 seasons, 161 games
Drafted: 1st round (10th player overall) in 1958 by Detroit
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