Dorne Dibble

Dorne Allen Dibble (April 16, 1929 – March 1, 2018) was an American professional football wide receiver for the Detroit Lions (1951, 1953–1957). He attended Michigan State.

Dibble was the Lions' third-round draft pick in 1951 after starring at Michigan State where he earned All-American honors as a defensive end his senior year. The Lions converted him to receiver and the switch paid instant dividends. Dibble tied Doak Walker's record for the most touchdown receptions by a rookie with six TD catches in 1951. Dibble also set the Lions' rookie record for yards per catch average that season at 20.4 – 30 catches for 613 yards.

Dibble served the 1952 season in the military, but came back to star for the Lions from 1953 to 1957 and helped the Detroit win the NFL Championships in 1953 and 1957. The Lions also went to the title game in 1954, the year Dibble led Detroit receivers and ranked fifth in the NFL with 46 receptions for 768 yards and six touchdowns.

In his career, Dibble had 146 receptions for 2,552 yards – a 17.5 yards-per-catch average – and 19 TDs.

Dibble died in Northville, Michigan, on March 1, 2018, of pneumonia at the age of 88.

NFL career statistics Legend Won the NFL championship Bold Career high

Regular season Year Team Games Receiving GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1951 DET 12 11 30 613 20.4 47 6 1953 DET 12 1 16 274 17.1 47 3 1954 DET 12 12 46 768 16.7 45 6 1955 DET 8 6 14 179 12.8 44 2 1956 DET 12 12 32 597 18.7 56 2 1957 DET 12 3 8 121 15.1 23 0 68 45 146 2,552 17.5 56 19

Playoffs Year Team Games Receiving GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1953 DET 1 1 1 22 22.0 22 0 1954 DET 1 1 4 63 15.8 18 0 1957 DET 2 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 4 2 5 85 17.0 22 0