Allen Park, Mich.- One of the true greats of the Lions' championship teams of the 1950s has died. Pro Football Hall of Famer Lou Creekmur passed away Sunday (July 5) evening at University Hospital in Tamarac, Florida. He was 82 and had been in failing health in recent years.
Creekmur helped solidify the left-side of the Lions' offensive line - playing mostly at tackle but also saw time at guard - during his 10-year (1950-59) Lions' career. He starred on the Lions' three NFL Championship teams of the 1950s, was selected All-NFL six times and chosen to eight consecutive Pro Bowl teams. He was also named to the Lions' All-75th Anniversary Team in 2008.
Creekmur was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1996.
"Lou always will be remembered as one of the true standout players in Lions' history," praised Lions president Tom Lewand. "Offensive linemen often don't get the credit they deserve and, until his induction into the Hall of Fame, that certainly was the case with Lou. If you look at the number of All-NFL and Pro Bowls teams he was selected to and at the success of the Lions' teams when he played, you know that Lou was one of the all-time great linemen in NFL history."
Creekmur came to the Lions as a second-round draft pick in 1950 after a standout college career at William & Mary. He was a little older than most NFL rookies when he came into the NFL at age 23 in 1950 having served two years with the U.S. Army (1945-46) in Berlin. Creekmur completed his final three years of college upon his return.
In addition to his enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Creekmur was also inducted into the state sports hall of fames for Michigan, New Jersey and Virginia, the William & Mary Athletic Hall of Fame and the Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame. But, his induction into the Pro Hall of Fame in 1996 solidified his position as one of the all-time NFL greats as he joined a long-list of his 1950s Lions' teammates who were also enshrined in Canton, Ohio: Bobby Layne, Jack Christiansen, Joe Schmidt, Frank Gatski, Doak Walker, John Henry Johnson and Yale Lary.
"Bobby (Layne) had a nickname for everyone and Lou's was 'The Spirit,' said Lary referring to both Creekmur's uniform number and his tenacious style of play. "That group in the '50s was special and I don't think will ever be equaled. Lou was a real team player and an important part of those teams."
Creekmur also became a success off the field with a trucking business during and after his Lions' career, and was active in the American Cancer Society, March of Dimes and NFL Charities.
He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Caroline; step daughters Caroline Lee Conroy and Commander USN Cornelia Eichorn; daughter Amy Glenn; sons Rex, Corey and Randal; nine grandchildren - Jennifer, Ryan, Valerie, Maxwell, Brendan, Kevin, Caroline, Tate and Derek; and sister Ethel Ochs.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made in Lou Creekmur's name to the Boys and Girls Club of Broward County/Reitman Unit (3025 W. Broward Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312).
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