The Detroit Lions announced the passing of Ed Flanagan on Wednesday. The offensive lineman played 10 seasons with the Lions, earning four Pro Bowl selections, and was named to the franchise's all-time team that was announced in 2019. He was 79 years old.
A fifth-round pick out of Purdue in 1965, Flanagan claimed Detroit's starting center job as a rookie and would start every game for the next nine seasons, an ironman streak that would reach 129 contests. In addition to the Pro Bowl selections, he served as a captain for the Lions from 1969-74.
"He called all the blocking adjustments," former position coach and NFL coach Chuck Knox said in a 2015 interview.