Sports
Jack Christiansen
1928–1986 · American football safety and return specialist
Hall of Fame safety whose name was given to the Lions' famed 1950s secondary, "Chris's Crew", and one of the most dangerous punt returners in NFL history.
- Born
Sublette, Kansas- Died
Stanford, California
aged 57- Birth name
- Jack LeRoy Christiansen
- Detroit years
- 1951–1958
- Field
- Sports
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Christiansen grew up in an orphanage in Colorado, where a gunshot wound had once threatened his athletic future, and the Lions took him in the sixth round of the 1951 draft. As a rookie he electrified Detroit: in his third game, before what was then the largest crowd ever to see a football game in the city, he returned two punts for touchdowns against the Los Angeles Rams, and six weeks later he did it again against Green Bay on Thanksgiving Day. The Lions' defensive backfield became known as "Chris's Crew" in his honor. He led the NFL in interceptions in 1953 and 1957, was a first-team All-Pro six straight years and helped Detroit win championships in 1952, 1953 and 1957. His eight career punt-return touchdowns stood as an NFL record until 1989. He later coached the San Francisco 49ers and Stanford, and entered the Hall of Fame in 1970.
Highlights
- NFL champion with the Lions in 1952, 1953 and 1957
- Two punt-return touchdowns in a game, twice, as a 1951 rookie
- Led the NFL in interceptions in 1953 and 1957
- Namesake of the Lions' "Chris's Crew" secondary
- Pro Football Hall of Fame, 1970
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 1
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Played here · 1951–1958
Tiger Stadium
Demolished · 1912–1999
Where he returned two punts for touchdowns in each of two 1951 games; demolished in 2008–2009.