BY JIM THOMAS

Luther Elliss, a Mancos High School standout athlete and graduate and now a defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions, was named All-Pro recently and will play in the Pro Bowl in Honolulu.

An All-Western Athletic Conference and All-American at the University of Utah, the 26-year-old will be making his first appearance in the annual Pro Bowl Game which pits the best of the National Football Conference against the best of the American Football Conference. He was also named a starter for the NFC.

Elliss was chosen in the first round — 20th overall — by the Lions in the 1995 National Football League draft. He became the first defensive rookie starter for the Lions since Bennie Blades and Chris Spielman in 1988. He started all 16 games in his rookie season. And Elliss has been a regular starter ever since on the defensive front line.

This is what the Detroit Lions’ front office says about him: "A tireless worker and disruptive force at the line scrimmage whose engine is always running at full speed. One of the cornerstones of Detroit's defense, Elliss is a quiet leader among players on and off the field. Has been in the starting lineup along the defensive line in most every game he has played in since entering the league. He started at defensive end in his rookie year, but shifted to defensive tackle prior to 1996 campaign, where he has remained in the subsequent three seasons. Elliss was rated fourth-highest tackle total among NFL interior defensive linemen in 1996-97 and seventh-highest sack total. Elliss has a huge, physical presence who can easily carry more than 300 pounds. He has the physical ability to take over a game and often demands attention from more than one offensive lineman."

The Lions recently signed him to a six-year extension of his contract for approximately $36-38 million, according to reports.

Elliss, who now lives in the greater Detroit area, returns each summer to visit to his parents and conduct a football camp for area children. Last year’s camp was held in Ignacio and the previous year it was held in Mancos and before that in Cortez.

A highlight this year was scoring a touchdown. In the Lions’ 33-17 win over the Washington Redskins on Thanksgiving Day, Elliss picked up a fumble and returned it 11 yards to paydirt. Through 15 games this season, Elliss has 45 tackles, 29 of them solo and 13 assisted. He has sacked a quarterback three times and recovered two fumbles with one of those for a TD.

The Lions clinched their fifth playoff berth in the last seven years despite Sunday's untimely 17-7 loss to the Denver Broncos. The Lions clinched a spot after Arizona, Carolina, Dallas and Green Bay all lost. If the Detroit wins next week, they will host a wild card game against Minnesota. If they lose next week, the outcomes of next Sunday's action will determine where the Lions will be traveling to in the first round of the playoffs.

The NFL also announced that Elliss will be joined by teammates linebacker Stephen Boyd, kicker Jason Hanson, defensive end Robert Porcher and tight end David Sloan have been selected to represent the NFC in the 2000 Pro Bowl played in Honolulu, Hawaii, Feb. 6. Safety Mark Carrier, wide receiver Germane Crowell and guard Jeff Hartings have been selected as alternates.

In local circles, Elliss is perhaps best known for what he did on the basketball court rather than the football field. He broke two backboards during his senior year in high school, as he led Mancos High to the Class 2A Colorado State Basketball Championships. However, he had broken his foot and the Blue Jays lost two games at state.