Robert Porcher did more than prepare himself for his weekly battles in the trenches in the 13 seasons he played on the Detroit Lions' defensive line.
He developed a detailed personal workout plan, and he added to it with the help of such people as teammate Barry Sanders. Porcher also developed a business plan during his playing career he since has expanded since his retirement from football in 2004.
Porcher's multiple pursuits made for a natural transition from football to a full-time career in business.
On the field, Porcher set franchise records that still stand since his retirement midway through the 2004 season. He is No. 1 in sacks in a season with 15 in 1999, and he holds the career record with 95.5.
Porcher had a brainstorm when he retired that was a sign of the career path he had taken away from football.
He was an investor in a popular restaurant in downtown Detroit, and he invited the late William Clay Ford, then owner of the Lions, and his wife and current owner Martha Firestone Ford to dinner.
View photos from the Detroit Lions' 2019 halftime shows at Ford Field.
Lions Legends Billy sims, Lomas Brown, Kevin Glover and Bennie Blades are honored as part of the all-time team at halftime of a NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Lions Legends are honored as part of the all-time team at halftime of a NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Lions Legend Doug English is honored as part of the all-time team at halftime of a NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Lions Legend Billy Sims is honored as part of the all-time team at halftime of a NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Lions Legend Lomas Brown is honored as part of the all-time team at halftime of a NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Lions Legend Roger Brown is honored as part of the all-time team at halftime of a NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Lions Legend Jason Hanson is honored as part of the all-time team at halftime of a NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Lions Legend Herman Moore is honored as part of the all-time team at halftime of a NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Lions Legend Joe Schmidt is honored as part of the all-time team at halftime of a NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Lions Legend Lem Barney is honored as part of the all-time team at halftime of a NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Lions Legends Lem Barney and Barry Sanders are honored as part of the all-time team at halftime of a NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Lions Legend Barry Sanders is honored as part of the all-time team at halftime of a NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Youth Choir perform during halftime of a NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Youth Choir perform during halftime of a NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Youth Choir performs during halftime of the NFL game between the Detroit Lions and New York Giants Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Youth Choir performs during halftime of the NFL game between the Detroit Lions and New York Giants Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Salute to Service themed halftime show during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Brothers Osborne perform during halftime of a NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Brothers Osborne perform during halftime of a NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Brothers Osborne perform during halftime of a NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Brothers Osborne perform during halftime of a NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Brothers Osborne performs during halftime of a NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions Junior Cheerleaders performs during halftime of a NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions Junior Cheerleaders performs during halftime of a NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions Junior Cheerleaders performs during halftime of a NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions Junior Cheerleaders performs during halftime of a NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions Junior Cheerleaders performs during halftime of a NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions Junior Cheerleaders performs during halftime of a NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions Junior Cheerleaders performs during halftime of a NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions Junior Cheerleaders performs during halftime of a NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Martha Reeves is honored as part of the halftime Motown celebration during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Martha Reeves is honored as part of the halftime Motown celebration during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions Cheerleaders perform a Motown tribute during the halftime show of a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Martha Reeves watches as the Detroit Lions Cheerleaders perform a Motown tribute during the halftime show of a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions Cheerleaders perform a Motown tribute during the halftime show of a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Martha Reeves watches as the Detroit Lions Cheerleaders perform a Motown tribute during the halftime show of a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions Cheerleaders perform a Motown tribute during the halftime show of a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
"About a week later, he and Mrs. Ford and one of their daughters came to dinner," Porcher said in a telephone interview from his home in Charlotte. "The four of us sat and talked and laughed.
"Mr. Ford told me, 'You've done a good job of representing the franchise. I'm proud that you played for us.'
"That summed up my career – to have our owner say those things. That meant a lot. To hear it from him and Mrs. Ford, that was a highlight to sum it up for me."
Porcher, 50, was adaptive and proactive in shaping his career with the Lions, which began when they drafted him in the first round out of South Carolina State in 1992. It was one year after the Lions made the playoffs with a 12-4 record and beat the Cowboys in the playoffs, only to lose to Washington in the NFC Championship.
He did drills on his own to improve his footwork and hand placement, which are critical for a defensive lineman to win battles on the line of scrimmage.
He added to his personal conditioning program from watching Sanders run sprints, and from talking to him about what he did to keep his body fit during the season.
"That came about from watching Barry over the years, especially early on, and how he would run his gassers after practice," Porcher said. "He also told me how he stretched every night for 10 minutes."
What was good enough for Sanders became good enough for Porcher.
"If the best running back, arguably, who ever played the game does extra work, why am I not doing more work on my craft?" Porcher said. "My routine was pretty particular. My drills on the (blocking) bag were moves I knew I would always use. I never got enough work on those things."
View photos of Detroit Lions players and legends building robots with the help of the Robot Garage alongside students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions cornerback Jamal Agnew (39) and Detroit Lions fullback Nick Bawden (46) watch their robots battle with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions cornerback Jamal Agnew (39) and Detroit Lions safety Tavon Wilson (32) builds robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions safety Tavon Wilson (32) builds robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions fullback Nick Bawden (46) builds robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions fullback Nick Bawden (46) builds robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions fullback Nick Bawden (46) builds robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions Legend George Jamison builds robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions cornerback Jamal Agnew (39) and Detroit Lions safety Tavon Wilson (32) builds robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions fullback Nick Bawden (46) builds robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions fullback Nick Bawden (46) builds robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions Legend Joique Bell builds robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions linebacker Jahlani Tavai (51) builds robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions Legend Alex Lewis builds robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions Legend Luther Bradley builds robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions Legend Joique Bell builds robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions cornerback Jamal Agnew (39) builds robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions cornerback Jamal Agnew (39) and Detroit Lions safety Tavon Wilson (32) build robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions fullback Nick Bawden (46) builds robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions safety Tavon Wilson (32) builds robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions safety Tavon Wilson (32) builds robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions Legend Joique Bell builds robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions linebacker Jahlani Tavai (51) builds robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions linebacker Jahlani Tavai (51) builds robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions fullback Nick Bawden (46) builds robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions Legend Alex Lewis and Detroit Lions safety Tavon Wilson (32) build robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions Legend Alex Lewis builds robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions Legend Alex Lewis builds robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions Legend Alex Lewis builds robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions linebacker Jahlani Tavai (51) builds robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions Legend Luther Bradley builds robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions safety Tavon Wilson (32) builds robots with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions cornerback Jamal Agnew (39) and Detroit Lions fullback Nick Bawden (46) watch their robots battle with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions safety Tavon Wilson (32) and his son watch the robots that they built with students at Detroit Lions Academy Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in Detroit.
Porcher was drafted to play defensive tackle, but he felt he was better suited to play defensive end at 270 pounds.
The arrival of Luther Elliss as a first-round draft pick in 1995 eventually prompted Porcher to talk to head coach Wayne Fontes and his defensive staff about making a position switch. He made a convincing argument that he was better suited to play defensive end than tackle, and that at 305 Elliss would be more effective moving inside to tackle.
The position switch paid off for both. Porcher had 68 sacks and made three Pro Bowls in six seasons from 1996-2001. After being held without a sack as a rookie, Elliss had 15 in 1996-97 combined and made the Pro Bowl in 1999 and 2000 as a tackle.
Porcher arrived in Detroit at a good time. The Lions made the playoffs five times in seven years from 1993-99, had 10-win seasons in 1993 and '95 and won a division title in 1993.
After retirement Porcher spent time briefly in the front office of the Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers, to gauge whether he had an interest in remaining in football at some level. He found out that he preferred the business world.
Porcher still has some interests in Metro Detroit. He is on the board of The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW), and he keeps close tabs on the Lions.
"I still do things in Detroit," he said. "I'm passionate about our team. I still am. I wanted to be part of trying to get us back on the right track.
"I have no regrets. The only thing is, at least once I wanted to get us back to the NFC Championship game."
