Complex sentence: In 1971, the team slipped to a 7--6--1 record, but the decline paled in comparison to the death of Lions wide receiver Chuck Hughes in the waning moments of the October 24 game against the Chicago Bears.
Split into simpler sentences: In 1971, the team slipped to a 7--6--1 record. The low point of the season was the death of Lions wide receiver Chuck Hughes in the final two minutes of the October 24 game against the Chicago Bears.