Detroit Lions Top 50: #44-40 with VIDEO

43. Luther Elliss, DT/DE, 1995-2003

Luther Elliss is admittedly one of my all-time favorites. Ellis was with the squad during the late 90’s when I first discovered the Detroit Lions and football in itself.

Following his collegiate career at the University of Utah, Elliss was selected in the first round (20th pick overall) of the 1995 NFL Draft, and he played for the Lions from 1995 to 2003.

His nickname during his time in Detroit was “Pass Rushing Luther,” and earned it with 324 tackles and 27.0 quarterback sacks with the Lions. Elliss was a force with the Lions at both defensive end, and defensive tackle. He was also selected to back-to-back Pro Bowls in 1999 and 2000.

The Lions however released him after appearing in only five games in 2003. He played his final season with the Denver Broncos in 2004, seeing action in eight games and registering two sacks.

Though he isn’t one of the most productive players in Lions history, he was one of the best-loved and most consistent. In his ten-season NFL career, he played in 134 regular season games, started 119 of them, and compiled 331 tackles, 29.0 sacks, seven fumble recoveries, four forced fumbles and four deflected passes.