The Wando, South Carolina native is a graduate of Huger Cainhoy High School.  He started out at Tennessee State in 1988-1989 and then transferred to play for legendary South Carolina State Head Coach Willie Jeffries (SCFHOF13) in 1990-1991.  His play as a Bulldog earned the 6’3” 275-pound defensive end a first-round draft (26th overall) pick in the 1992 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions.  He spent his entire 13-year career in Detroit accumulating a franchise history record 95.5 career sacks.  He became the first Detroit Lion player to record double-digit sack totals in four consecutive seasons from 1996-1999.  Between 1996-2001, Porcher recorded 68 sacks, the second-highest total in the NFL during that span.  His play on the field earned him Pro-Bowl and All-Pro honors in 1997, 1999, and 2001.

Since retiring, Porcher has become actively involved in community and business interests throughout Michigan and his home state of South Carolina.  The Detroit Lions organization honored Robert Porcher’s community contributions by naming their Annual Man of the Year award after him. He was inducted into the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009, and in 2017, he was selected to the Black College Football Hall of Fame.

Photo Credit: SC State Athletics/Detroit Lions