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NFL Greatest Unsung Heroes In History of All 32 Teams

By Erik Lambert

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 8: Joe Jurevicius #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball while pursued by Ray Buchanan #34 of the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL game on December 8, 2002 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Falcons 34-10. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 8: Joe Jurevicius #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball while pursued by Ray Buchanan #34 of the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL game on December 8, 2002 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Falcons 34-10. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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12 Dec 1993: A CANDID PORTRAIT OF DETROIT LIONS QUARTERBACK ERIK KRAMER ON THE FIELD DURING A 21-14 WIN AGAINST THE CARDINALS.
12 Dec 1993: A CANDID PORTRAIT OF DETROIT LIONS QUARTERBACK ERIK KRAMER ON THE FIELD DURING A 21-14 WIN AGAINST THE CARDINALS. /

Detroit Lions

QB. Detroit Lions. Erik Kramer . 11. player. 50.

The Detroit Lions of the 1990s were all about one thing:  Barry Sanders. That’s fair. The guy retired third on the all-time rushing list and had more eye-popping highlights than most other running backs of his generation combined. Still, that amazing career will be characterized by failed to play in a Super Bowl. In fact, it could’ve been much worse.

The furthest Sanders ever got in the postseason was an NFC championship game in 1991. It wasn’t he who sparked that run, contrary to popular myth. That honor belonged to Erik Kramer. The much-maligned quarterback, for the briefest period in the early 90s, gave the Lions offense juice they didn’t have. He guided them to six-straight wins to end that ’91 season before exploding for 341 yards and three touchdowns against Dallas in the 38-6 bashing got them to the title game.

Two years later, Kramer came to the rescue again. Having been benched most of the 1993 season, the team was floundering. Desperate for a solution, he was put back in as the starter. Over the final four weeks, Kramer threw eight touchdowns to just two interceptions and went 3-1 to get them back to the playoffs.

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