by Mitch Albom | Sep 11, 2016 | Detroit Free Press, Sports
He’s the Last Big Name standing. Matthew Stafford was once one of three famous Detroit Lions players that any NFL fan could recite: Ndamukong Suh. Calvin Johnson. Matthew Stafford. Suh walked away for more money. Johnson just walked away. This afternoon in...
by Mitch Albom | May 1, 2016 | Detroit Free Press, Sports
Beefy. And that’s the word I’d use. If you’re trying to assess the Lions’ 2016 draft — under new GM Bob Quinn — put it on a scale. Beefy. An offensive lineman first. A defensive lineman second. A center third. A strong safety whose nickname is “Killa.” Another...
by Mitch Albom | Apr 28, 2016 | Detroit Free Press, Sports
Tonight, Detroit Lions fans will gather for the NFL draft, in hopes that an unproven college kid may lead them to a higher plane. There’s no real harm in that, I guess, even though the draft has grown more bloated than a whale that swallowed a schooner. Three days? To...
by Mitch Albom | Feb 8, 2016 | Detroit Free Press, Sports
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – In the closing minutes, Von Miller, who would soon become the Most Valuable Player of the Super Bowl, came charging toward the Most Valuable Player of the league, Cam Newton, and grabbed his arm with his left hand as Newton tried to pass. The...
by Mitch Albom | Feb 7, 2016 | Detroit Free Press, Sports
For the Lions, here’s a rhyme, for anyone who’s reading this wintertime ’Tis Super Bowl morning The world’s biggest game But Detroit is silent It’s always the same. For 50 years running We’ve listened to screams Of Super Bowl battles Between other teams. *...
by Mitch Albom | Sep 20, 2015 | Detroit Free Press, Sports
Fantasy is hardly new in football. Little kids call out players’ names as they tackle. A joystick lets you move like your favorite running back. Trading cards. Jerseys with players’ numbers. All part of imagining ourselves as part of the game. None of...
by Mitch Albom | Feb 2, 2015 | Detroit Free Press, Sports
GLENDALE, Ariz. – They were one yard away — and then it burst. The magic bubble that Seattle had been living under, the immortal elixir it had been drinking, the string of amazing finishes, the incredible touch of Russell Wilson and decision making of Pete Carroll,...
by Mitch Albom | Sep 18, 2014 | Detroit Free Press, Sports
Adrian Peterson is not the worst man on earth. But I have no sympathy for him. Not after he has been accused of abusing two 4-year-old sons.When you have two kids the same age, they are either twins, or you were way too busy that year. Turns out the latter is often...
by Mitch Albom | Sep 10, 2014 | Comment, Detroit Free Press, Sports
So now we know who’s running the NFL.It’s TMZ.Had the celebrity website not released the first video of Ray Rice dragging his unconscious then-fiancée out of an elevator – causing a huge national outcry – who knows what the league might have...
by Mitch Albom | May 8, 2014 | Detroit Free Press, Sports
Tonight is the NFL draft, which makes a lot of people happy. Including me. Because that means we can stop talking about it.Now before you dash off angry tweets, I have no problem with coverage of the draft, analysis of the draft or even fascination with the draft...