Donald André Bly is an American football coach and former player who is a defensive analyst coach for Charlotte. He played as a cornerback for 11 seasons in the NFL. He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels, earning All-American honors twice. Bly was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the second round of the 1999 NFL draft, and spent four seasons with the Rams, earning a Super Bowl ring with them in Super Bowl XXXIV over the Tennessee Titans. He was selected to two Pro Bowls during his four-year tenure with the Detroit Lions, and also played for the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers.
Ernie Sims III is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2006 NFL draft. He also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys.
Roman Ildonzo Gabriel Jr. was an American professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the NC State Wolfpack, twice earning first-team All-American honors. Gabriel was the second overall pick in the 1962 NFL draft and played for the Los Angeles Rams for 11 seasons then five years for the Philadelphia Eagles. He was notable for being the first NFL quarterback of Filipino-American descent, as well as winning the NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in 1969.
William Erik Kramer is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He attended John Burroughs High School in Burbank, California. After attending Pierce College and playing as their quarterback, Kramer transferred to North Carolina State University. He was not drafted by an NFL team, but did see action in 1987, when he played for the Atlanta Falcons as a replacement player during the NFL players strike. He would then spend some time in the CFL with the Calgary Stampeders. Kramer would return to the NFL in 1991, when he became a surprise starter for the Detroit Lions after injuries sidelined Rodney Peete. Kramer played in 13 games, led the Lions to a 12–4 record, their first playoff victory since 1962, and a trip to the NFC Championship Game.
John Tye Hill is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for five seasons. He played college football for the Clemson Tigers, earning consensus All-American honors. He was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the first round of the 2006 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee Titans, and Detroit Lions.
Reginald Lewis Ball is a former American football quarterback. He was originally signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Georgia Tech.
Matthew Brent Blundin is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played both college football and basketball for the Virginia Cavaliers. He was a backup in the NFL for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions during the 1990s.
A. J. Davis is a former American football cornerback who was selected by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL draft. He played college football at North Carolina State.
Calvin Johnson Jr. is an American former professional football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons with the Detroit Lions. Nicknamed "Megatron" after the Transformers character of the same name, he is regarded as one of the greatest wide receivers of all time. He played college football for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, winning the Fred Biletnikoff Award as a junior, and was selected by the Lions second overall in the 2007 NFL draft.
Andre Fluellen is an American football former defensive tackle. He played college football at Florida State and was selected in the third round of the 2008 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions.
Aaron Curry is an American professional football coach and former linebacker who is the inside linebackers coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Curry was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round in the 2009 NFL draft out of Wake Forest. Curry also played for the Oakland Raiders in 2011 and 2012.
Alphonso Smith, Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for four seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Smith played college football for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, and received consensus All-American honors. He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2009 NFL draft, and also played for the NFL's Detroit Lions.
Everette D. Brown is an American football coach and former linebacker who is currently the assistant linebackers coach for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida State and was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in second round of the 2009 NFL draft. Brown also played for the San Diego Chargers, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and Washington Redskins.
Demir "D.J." Boldin is an American college football coach and former player. He is the wide receivers coach for South Carolina State University, a position he has held since 2024. He previously was the head football coach for Lake Erie College from 2022 to 2023. He has also served as an offensive assistant for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He played college football at Wake Forest. He signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2009.
Eric Ebron is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels, and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. He also played for the Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Brandon Thomas is an American former professional football player who was an offensive guard in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft. After his playing career, Thomas became an offensive graduate assistant for Clemson.
The Quick Lane Bowl is a post-season college football bowl game certified by the NCAA that began play in the 2014 season. The Ford Motor Company served as title sponsor of the game for 10 years, through its auto shop brand Quick Lane. In June 2024, that sponsorship ended. Organizers are using Detroit Bowl naming while seeking a new title sponsor.
Quinshad Davis is an American college football coach and former wide receiver. He is the wide receivers coach for Georgia State, a position he has held since 2022. He played college football at North Carolina, where he holds the school record for career touchdown receptions. He has also been a member of the Detroit Lions (NFL).
Sage Surratt is an American professional football tight end who is a free agent. He was signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent after not being selected in the 2021 NFL draft, and was on their practice squad for 2021. He played college football at Wake Forest.
Jahmyr Gibbs is an American professional football running back for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and Alabama Crimson Tide, and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. In his first NFL season, Gibbs was named to the All-Rookie Team and voted to the Pro Bowl.
