A Look At The Detroit Legend’s Ed Flannagan (1965-1974)

Ed Flannagan: A Dominant Force for the Detroit Lions in the NFL

In the realm of professional football, few players possess the ability to capture the hearts of fans and leave an indelible mark on their franchise. Ed Flannagan, the formidable force for the Detroit Lions, is one such player. With his exceptional skills, unwavering determination, and a relentless pursuit of excellence We will delve into the remarkable career of Ed Flannagan, highlighting his astounding statistics, prestigious awards, and noteworthy records.

Early Career

Ed Flannagan, was born on February 23, 1944, in San Bernardino, California. His family moved to Pennsylvania, where Ed showed immense promise in football from an early age. He honed his skills at Altoona High School, where Flanagan played football under coach Earl Strohm, and dominated the field as a standout player.

Flannagan’s exceptional talent caught the attention of scouts across the country, leading him to be recruited by several renowned college programs. Flanagan chose to attend Purdue University, where he played college football from 1962 to 1964. Flanagan gained the weight necessary, from 190 pounds to 230 pounds to become a 2-way player at both linebacker and center, Flanagan started at both positions during his sophomore & junior seasons. When he walked onto the field as a sophomore for the first football practice, Ed had grown so much the coach didn’t recognize him.

“Coach had to ask my name,” the former Lion remembered in a 2003 interview. “Someone said, ‘That’s Flanagan.’ I got pretty big in college, but we didn’t use steroids. It was all natural growth. I never lifted a weight in my life!”

Flanagan was selected by the conference coaches as the second-team center for the United Press International on the 1964 All-big Ten Conference football team. He was also selected to and played in the Blue-gray game and the Senior Bowl after his senior season ended.

NFL Career

Following an illustrious college career at Purdue, Flanagan was selected by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round of the 1965 NFL Draft. Ed started 139 games for the Lions, including a streak of 129 consecutive games. He was selected to play in the NFL Pro Bowl four times (1969, 1970, 1971 and 1973). He was also selected by the UPI as a second-team All-NFL player in 1969 and by the Pro Football Writers as a second-team All-NFL player in 1970.

Ed finished his career in the NFL with short stints with the Chargers from 1975-1976, and then traded to the Rams in 1977. Ed was released before the 1977 season started and retired from football.

The Rivalry

Flanagan engaged in some classic battles with two of the best linebackers in NFL history in his own division, Dick Butkus of the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers middle linebacker Ray Nitschke. Flanagan developed a rivalry with the Chicago Bears brawler. Following a Butkus insult, they almost came to blows near the goal posts before a Sunday game in Chicago. On October 10, 1973, one Chicago paper quoted Flanagan saying ..

“a wild man on defense, one of the most foul-mouthed guys in the league. He insults you, your mother, and the team.”

“he would spit down the back of his neck.”

Later in a 2003 interview Flanagan recalled another statement about Butkus ..

“I liked to hit Butkus. You had to hit him in the middle. He would hand-fight you, if you came in too low. The NFL had some great linebackers in those years.”

All Great Things Come To An End | Ed Flanagan Dies

In conclusion, Ed Flannagan’s name will forever be etched in the halls of NFL history as an offensive line titan who redefined excellence on the field. His remarkable career, highlighted by his impressive ironman like run of starting in 129 consecutive games. His ability to dominate games, disrupt the defenses scheme and inspire teammates around him, cements his status as an NFL legend.

Flanagan was more than a football icon. His initial contract with the Lions included a $2,000 bonus and $12,000 a year salary. Ed was not the type to rest on his laurels and he exemplified this on the field and off. He worked tirelessly and supplemented his income in the off-season selling steel to the automobile companies, real estate, and working for a beer distributorship owned by a former Detroit Tiger legend, Vic Wertz. His impact extends far beyond his playing days, leaving an enduring legacy for future generations of football enthusiasts to admire and aspire to emulate.

Flanagan was hospitalized in Altoona with heart problems on May 8, 2023, and died on May 10 at the age of 79. As we bid farewell to Ed Flanagan, our hearts go out to his family, friends, and former teammates who have been deeply saddened by his passing. His legacy as a Lions legend and glowing spirit both on and off the field, will continue to live on in our memories shared with football fans for generations to come.

Career Highlights & Awards

• 4× Pro Bowl (1969, 1970, 1971, 1973)
• Detroit Lions 75th Anniversary Team
• Detroit Lions All-Time Team

Career NFL statistics

• Games | 165
• Started | 164
• Fumbles recovered | 7