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Jason Hanson was honored at halftime of a game last season, becoming the 14th player inducted into the team's Ring of Honor.

(AP Photo)

No NFL player has played more games for one franchise than Jason Hanson. The former Detroit Lions kicker suited up 279 times for the organization during his 21-year career.

From his first field goal attempt as a rookie in 1992 to his retirement in 2012, Hanson was under the employment of one man, William Clay Ford Sr.

The legendary kicker, who was inducted into the team's Ring of Honor last season, just wishes he could have been involved in more winning seasons for the sake of Ford, who passed away Sunday at the age of 88.

On Monday, Hanson recalled the numerous times Ford addressed the team, usually before the start of the season. Hanson said the messages were always positive, even when there wasn't always a reason for them to be.

"I always expected him, especially toward the end of my career, to come out and say something like, 'Come on guys, you're making me look bad,'" Hanson said. "I mean, how much of what we were doing was falling on his name? Yet, he never once did that because it wasn't about him."

Hanson echoed the sentiments of many former Lions players, saying Ford always showed a strong desire to field a winning club. The kicker believes anyone who played for the organization a long enough time, feels guilty about failing the owner.

"Everyone that has played for the Lions for a significant amount of time, that had some investment with the team, has some guilt," Hanson said. "I share that immensely, that we were not able to be part of a team that brought him a championship. I think every player feels that. It's genuine.

"It's not for me and the guys, I feel bad for Mr. Ford and the Ford family for something they deserve. I never once looked at it as Mr. Ford was letting us down. Many of us that cared felt we were letting him and the family down."

Like others who have spoke following Ford's passing, Hanson described the owner as a genial, down-to-earth man who had an extraordinary passion for his football team, even if it wasn't reflected in the win-loss record.

"Again, the problem is it's a super competitive sport," Hanson said. "You're judged strictly on wins and loses. With the history of the Lions, the team hasn't played well, it doesn't have a good record. That falls on them.

"But I truly believe they want to win, they'll do what it takes to win, they have. The people underneath them, frankly, from players up, have been disappointing for them."

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