June 29, 1986

John Leroy (Jack) Christiansen

June 29, 1986
Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions Player (1951-1958)
3x NFL Champion
NFL 1950’s All-decade team
Pro Football Hall of Fame

John LeRoy (Jack) Christiansen

Detroit Lions Football Player (1951 - 1958)

Jack Christiansen was born in Sublette, Kansas. He attended Colorado A & M University (now Colorado State) where he earned eight varsity letters in football, track, and baseball.  He earned all-conference honors his last two years in football and won three conference titles in the 440-yard dash.  He was selected in the sixth round of the 1951 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.  He went on to an outstanding NFL career as a defensive back and kick returner.  He played his entire career with the Lions and was instrumental in helping them win three NFL Championships.  He was named to the All-Pro team six times, was named to the Pro-Bowl in five different seasons, led the NFL in interceptions in two seasons and was named to the 1950’s All-decade team. After his playing days ended he went into coaching and was the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 1963 – 1967 and Stanford University from 1972 – 1976.  Jack Christiansen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970, the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1967 and was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1986. He passed away on June 29, 1986 at 57 years of age.