A mural paying tribute to a former Detroit Lion and current Allen Park school teacher has been created, the city's Downtown Development Authority announced Tuesday, as part of an initiative to bring public art to the city.

"The mural pays tribute to former Detroit Lions fullback and current Allen Park school teacher Cory Schlesinger, honoring both his legacy on the field and his continued dedication to the community," the DDA said in a email to the Free Press.

Schlesinger played for the Detroit Lions for 12 seasons from 1995-2006. Schlesinger is a career and tech ed teacher at Allen Park High School.

The mural, painted on the side of Alexander's Dry Cleaners, 5741 Allen Road, was painted by Kevin Burdick , 40, of Flint.

The city's Paint the Park program, funded by the All

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