While not much went right for the Detroit Lions in 2020, there was always one constant bright spot.
Punter Jack Fox was signed to a futures contract at the end of the 2019 season and earned opening day duties in this past season’s training camp. What followed was not only a record-setting year for Fox compared to past Lions’ punters, but measured against all past first-year players at the position in League history.
Fox set team records for the highest gross (49.1) and net (44.8) punting averages in a season, which both marked the highest averages in a player’s 1st season in NFL history.
The team’s previous punting average record had stood since Yale Lary posted a 48.9 average in 1963.
For his efforts, Fox was named to the 2021 Pro Bowl.