Ed Flanagan, a member of the Detroit Lions’ All-Time Team, died May 10. He was 79.
The team announced Flanagan’s death Wednesday.
According to published reports, Flanagan had been admitted to a hospital with heart problems on May 8.
Drafted in the fifth round out of Purdue in 1965, the center played 10 seasons for the Lions. Flanagan finished his career with two years for the San Diego Chargers. In those days, even the best players had to hold off-season jobs, and Flanagan had the perfect job for a Detroit player, working in the automotive industry.
After retiring, Flanagan coached in the USFL, Arena Football, and Indoor Football leagues.
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.
“Butkus was always my biggest challenge,” Flanagan said in a 2003 interview (via MLive.com). “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.”
The NFL world and fans paid tribute to the Lions great on social media. Many of the fans’ memories involved positive off-field encounters with Flanagan.
This Purple People-eater fan has mad respect for this guy. To fight it out for so long outside in Detroit, Chicago, Green Bay and Minneapolis takes guts. Rest well warrior of the black and blue division. @Vikings
— Beth Welty (@beenorwee) May 11, 2023
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.