The head coach who guided the Detroit Lions to a pair of NFL championships may finally get his due in Canton, Ohio.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Wednesday that the late Raymond "Buddy" Parker, who coached the Lions from 1951 to 1956, is a finalist for the 2024 class.
Parker was chosen by a 12-member committee of coaches and football contributors. He will be inducted if chosen by at least 80 per cent of the full Hall of Fame electorate in January 2024.
The Texas native played fullback for the Lions in 1935, a year after the franchise moved to Detroit. He then played for the Chicago Cardinals until he moved into full-time coaching in 1945.
As a head coach in 1949, Parker guided the Cardinals to a winning record. He joined the Lions in 1951 and the following year, led them to the first of three straight Western Conference championships. The Lions won the NFL Championship in 1952 and 1953.
In 1957, Parker began coaching the Pittsburgh Steelers. While he did not match the success he had in Detroit, he had a 51-47 record over eight seasons.
Parker died in 1982. Among Lions head coaches, he was second all-time in winning percentage, at .667.