Top 25 Detroit Athletes of All Time

By Calvin Little

Before we dive deep into the list, here are a couple things in mind:

1: It's ok to disagree- your life is worth more than a hateful comment

2: Here is the surprise I mentioned in the previous article: With all of the support I have gotten this week, my heart has nearly burst. 167 views? Wow, just wow. In honor of your support, I am opening up a "Fan of the Year" award. The winner will be announced Friday, 3:30 PM EST on October 17th in an article post. To be qualified for entry you must:

A) Comment on this article (can be whatever you want)

B) Have emailed me a request for an article

C) Email me a screenshot or other tangible evidence that you are following my podcast Detroit VS the NFL. Episode drops tomorrow, don't miss it!

D) All of that must be submitted by Wednesday, October 15th at 3:30 PM EST.

Once the responses are in, I will look at the entries and decide a winner based on 2 categories: Who has been most involved with the content, and who had been the most enthusiastic. The winner will win 2 things: The first will be an emailed certificate with Detroit logos/decor, and that will be printable if you'd like to hand it up somewhere. The second will be an article of their choice they would like written. It could be about anything. It could be a bio of the winner, hot take article, anything you can come up with. Best of luck to you all, and with that, let's get into this list!

1. Gordie Howe (Red Wings) — “Mr. Hockey” defined toughness, skill, and longevity, leading Detroit to four Stanley Cups and redefining what it meant to be a hockey legend.

2. Barry Sanders (Lions) — An electrifying running back who turned every carry into magic, Sanders remains one of the most naturally gifted athletes in NFL history.

3. Ty Cobb (Tigers) — A fierce competitor and one of baseball’s greatest hitters, Cobb’s .366 career batting average remains untouched.

4. Isiah Thomas (Pistons) — The fearless leader of the “Bad Boys,” Isiah’s leadership and clutch play delivered back-to-back NBA titles to Detroit.

5. Steve Yzerman (Red Wings) — A model of leadership and consistency, Yzerman captained the Wings for two decades and restored the franchise’s glory.

6. Joe Louis (Boxer) — The “Brown Bomber” from Detroit dominated heavyweight boxing and became a national hero during World War II.

7. Al Kaline (Tigers) — “Mr. Tiger” spent his entire 22-year career in Detroit, earning 18 All-Star selections and a World Series title.

8. Miguel Cabrera (Tigers) — One of the most talented pure hitters ever, Miggy’s Triple Crown in 2012 cemented his place in Detroit lore.

9. Ben Wallace (Pistons) — The heart of the 2004 championship team, Wallace’s defensive dominance changed the Pistons’ identity and defined grit.

10. Nicklas Lidström (Red Wings) — A flawless defenseman and four-time Stanley Cup winner, “The Perfect Human” made excellence look effortless.

11. Calvin Johnson (Lions) — “Megatron” shattered records with his size-speed combo and redefined what a wide receiver could be.

12. Hank Greenberg (Tigers) — A power-hitting trailblazer who stood tall against anti-Semitism and led the Tigers to two championships.

13. Chauncey Billups (Pistons) — “Mr. Big Shot” led with poise and precision, guiding Detroit to the 2004 NBA title and Finals MVP honors.

14. Alex Delvecchio (Red Wings) — A Red Wings ironman, Delvecchio’s consistency and team-first play earned him a place among the greats.

15. Joe Dumars (Pistons) — A quiet assassin on the court and a pillar of integrity off it, Dumars helped shape the Pistons’ championship culture.

16. Alan Trammell (Tigers) — A steady leader and clutch hitter, Trammell was the heart of the 1984 World Series team and a lifelong Tiger.

17. Bob Lanier (Pistons) — An elite big man of his era, Lanier combined power, skill, and leadership through Detroit’s 1970s struggles.

18. Pavel Datsyuk (Red Wings) — The “Magic Man” dazzled fans with his otherworldly skill and two-way brilliance on the ice.

19. Justin Verlander (Tigers) — A true ace, Verlander dominated with fiery intensity and helped lead Detroit to two World Series appearances.

20. Doak Walker (Lions) — A two-way football legend from the 1950s who helped Detroit capture back-to-back NFL championships.

21. Sergei Fedorov (Red Wings) — A dynamic two-way player with elite speed and flair, Fedorov was a key piece of the Red Wings dynasty.

22. Kirk Gibson (Tigers) — Known for his fiery leadership and clutch moments, Gibson embodied Detroit’s blue-collar toughness.

23. Grant Hill (Pistons) — Though injuries cut him short, Hill’s peak years in Detroit were among the most versatile in NBA history.

24. Lem Barney (Lions) — A smooth, ball-hawking cornerback who was one of the NFL’s premier defenders of the 1970s.

25. Jared Goff (Lions) — His career was supposed to be over, but Dan Campbell's Lions said otherwise. Getting chants at all 3 Detroit Stadiums, and even at minor league hockey games, his legacy has just begun, and I can't wait to see what he does next.

Thanks for reading, see you all Monday!