Lions’ Jeff Backus to start 150th straight game Sunday

By Tim Twentyman, The Detroit News

Jeff Backus has piled up some pretty incredible numbers.

150; 3,325; 4,788,000; 287,280,000.

Not bad for an offensive lineman.

But those numbers aren't statistics he's compiled. They're the consecutive games he will have played come Sunday (150), which translate into the days (3,325), minutes (4,788,000) and seconds (287,280,000) since he started his first game, Sept. 9, 2001, as a rookie against the Packers.

"I've been fortunate to avoid any major injuries," said Backus, the starting tackle for the Lions. "I've played a long time. I'm not sitting here patting myself on the back about it. Obviously, it's a cool thing, but more than anything I've been very fortunate to stay as healthy as I have and, hopefully, it continues."

Backus' 149 consecutive starts are the most among active linemen in the NFL, and are tied for fifth overall. Only Hall of Fame cornerback Dick LeBeau (171) has started more consecutive games in Lions history.

"He's not flashy; he doesn't get a lot of attention," said Giants defensive end Justin Tuck, who'll oppose Backus on Sunday. "But he's a guy that just gets the job done. He's kind of like one of those lunch-pail guys that go to work everyday regardless of fame or fortune. He goes and does his work and that's definitely what you want."

Backus has been consistent. Spectacular, probably not. There aren't any Pro Bowl selections on Backus' resume.

But he's consistent, and reliable. And, he's playing some of his better football this season.

"I think it says a lot about not only the player's physical ability and talent, but it says a lot about his perseverance and his ability to deal," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said of Backus, the only player drafted in 2001 who has started every game as a pro.

"Everybody is going to have things they have to deal with.

"One-hundred fifty straight starts at any position is significant. … This is a tough, physical league, and to be able to make it through that long, there's no coincidence the guy's able to do that. They are serious about what they do and they have bodies that can handle it."

But there's more to Backus' streak that make it impressive.

Tough times

Backus, 33, has been dealing with a lot of things this season — on and off the field.

First, his wife, Regan, was overdue with their second child.

For a while, Backus was worried it might drag into the regular season. Thankfully, it didn't. He missed the last exhibition.

Then came the opener in Chicago, where Backus was facing one of the league's elite rushers in Julius Peppers.

Peppers, who has 83 career sacks, put a move on Backus toward the end of the first half that allowed him an easy avenue to quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Peppers crushed Stafford, injuring his right shoulder. Stafford hasn't played since, and Backus has taken a beating from fans and the media for the play.

"Bad week," he said.

Then came his father's heart transplant before the game in Minnesota.

"My dad called me at 2:30 in the morning and said, 'It's time to go, I'm getting a new heart.'" Backus said.

Backus still played that game after hearing the surgery went well. The elder Backus has been unable to travel since February.

"It's really bugging him that he can't come up here," Backus said of his father.

But Backus said his father is feeling better, and thinks he will be well enough to travel and see his first game of the season around Thanksgiving.

Originally, the date was closer to Christmas.

"The last month was a crazy month," Backus said.

Still, through it all, Backus continued to play football.

"He's a tough guy and a durable guy," Stafford said.