Greatest Detroit Lions player of all time? Vote now #DetroitGOAT

Orion Sang | Detroit Free Press

Join the conversation by using the hashtag #DetroitGOAT on social media.

It’s the debate to end all debates — or to start them! Yes, it’s time to decide, once and for all, who’s the best pro athlete in Detroit team history, here in the Tournament of G.O.A.T.

A group of Free Press writers and editors got together and ranked the top 16 Pistons, Lions, Red Wings and Tigers, NCAA-bracket style.

Windsor: Debating the greatest player in Detroit pro sports team history

Matthew Stafford's run as the Cinderella in the tournament continues as he knocked out his one time favorite receiver, Calvin Johnson. Now Stafford will have to go against No. 1 seed Barry Sanders.

Each Monday, a round of voting will begin and go through Thursday at 1 p.m. The winners will be announced each Sunday in the Detroit Free Press and on freep.com.

The voting will continue into July until we finally know Detroit’s Greatest Of All Time.

More: Dave Birkett explains why no Stafford on his G.O.A.T. list

(If you're having trouble seeing the ballots, refresh your browser.)

Vote for the others:

Tigers G.O.A.T.

Red Wings G.O.A.T.

Pistons G.O.A.T.

(1) Barry Sanders vs.

(15) Matthew Stafford

Barry Sanders

Running back | Years played in Detroit: 1989-1998 | Career Detroit stats: 153 games, 15,269 rushing yards, 99 TDs, 5.0 yards per carry, 99.8 yards per game.

Last week's result: 1 Sanders def. 4 Bobby Layne, 87.94% to 12.06%

The buzz: Hall of Fame running back who spent entire career in Detroit... Earned NFL MVP in 1997 with 2,053 rushing yards and 11 TDs... Currently third all-time in rushing yards... Invited to Pro Bowl in each season of career; named first-team All-Pro six times. Two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

Matthew Stafford

Quarterback | Years played in Detroit: 2009-present | Career Detroit stats: 125 games, 34,749 passing yards, 216 TDs, 62.0 completion percentage, 7.2 yards per attempt, 278 yards per game

Last week's result: 15 Stafford def. 3 Calvin Johnson, 50.85% to 49.15%

The buzz: In 2011, led Lions to first playoff appearance since 1999... Earned Pro Bowl nod in 2014.... NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year in 2011... Has passed for more than 4,000 yards each of the past seven seasons... In 2017, signed extension that made him highest-paid player in NFL history at the time.

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