Trade 1
September 14, 1953
Detroit Lions received 1954 undisclosed pick (possibly #44-Bill Stits).
NFL Trade History
Bill Stits NFL Trade History
TradeVerdicts connects Bill Stits to 2 exact public NFL transactions involving Detroit Lions, Washington Commanders, and San Francisco 49ers.
2 Recorded trades
3 Teams represented
1953–1957 Trade-history span
Player Transaction Context
Why Bill Stits Appears in the Trade Database
This profile follows Bill Stits across 2 recorded transactions from September 14, 1953 through May 15, 1957. Each connection below comes from the database relationship for that transaction rather than a name-only search.
Trade 2
May 15, 1957
San Francisco 49ers received Bill Stits.
Across this profile, the recorded verdicts are Even Trade; Detroit Lions Win. The timeline spans 1953–1957 and 3 represented teams.
How to Read This Profile
Trade History Overview
Every transaction below comes from an explicit player-to-trade relationship in the TradeVerdicts database. Name-only substring matching is not used.
The cards summarize the date, teams, assets, grades, and verdict. Open the full trade page for the complete analysis and sourcing context. Grading standards are explained in the TradeVerdicts methodology.
Chronological Timeline
2 Recorded Trades
Trade 1 of 2
Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders
Detroit's two draft choices can be traced to Bill Stits at No. 44 in 1954 and Gordon Malloy at No. 39 in 1955. Stits gave the Lions 36 games, 25 starts and 10 interceptions over three seasons; Malloy never played an NFL game. Washington got an immediate star season from Don Doll: 12 starts, 10 interceptions and a Pro Bowl. Both sides earn B grades and an even verdict.
Assets Received
Detroit Lions
- Pick 1954 undisclosed pick (possibly #44-Bill Stits)
- Pick 1955 undisclosed pick (possibly #39-Gordon Malloy)
Washington Commanders
- Player Don Doll
Team Grades
Trade 2 of 2
Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers
Detroit acquired Hall of Fame fullback John Henry Johnson and a 1958 seventh-round pick from San Francisco for defensive back Bill Stits. Johnson immediately led the 1957 Lions with 621 rushing yards and helped them win the NFL championship, then remained productive for three Detroit seasons. Stits gave the 49ers defensive-back service, but the centerpiece value went overwhelmingly to Detroit.
Assets Received
San Francisco 49ers
- Player Bill Stits
Detroit Lions
- Player John Henry Johnson
- Pick 1958 seventh round pick (#83-Ralph Pfeifer)