The Lionsโ recent success this past season has turned many heads around the league considering the decades of utter trash the organization was in the years prior. A lot of that attention too is coming from former Lions players who experienced firsthand a heavy helping of pure shit during their time in Detroit.
Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson is one of those players who has raised an eyebrow at what has happened with the Lions with a pretty unique perspective as well. Not just because heโs a Detroit player but because he now has to play them twice a season as an NFC North rival.
During an episode of Barstoolโs โBussinโ with the Boysโ, (which we donโt usually like to share shitty fratboy bullshit from that website, however, Hockensonโs comments were pretty interesting) Hockenson commented on the Lionsโ renaissance as a member of the Vikings, something he doesnโt seem very resentful about.
โTheyโre still in the division, so you want to beat them and you want to win the division, but not (a) crazy (amount of bitterness),โ Hockenson said. โYou see it and youโre like, โWhatโs going on?โ You talk to people (in Detroit) and theyโre just like, โIt started clicking. It was nothing that you had (to do with it).โโ
Hockenson also added he is happy for his former teammates:
โI was really happy for the boys that I used to play with. I was in it for a long time. Itโs not fun to go out and play and not really have any success. For them to have some success, I was happy for the guys I played with.โ
Hockenson also commented on his current situation in Minnesota, something he again seems to be happy with which you have to assume helps keep away any bitterness towards his former team.
โI was excited. It was a fresh start for me,โ Hockenson said. โI knew I was going to play for coach (Kevin) OโConnell, who was a young coach. It was his first year, and he was 6-1 or something like that at the time. A really up-and-coming coach, and to be able to get around him, it was the best thing for me.
โGod put me in the right place. I love Minnesota. I love the team, and it really starts at the top with K.O. and ownership. Those guys are incredible and it trickles down.โ
Of course, Lions fans are probably more familiar with Hockensonโs immediate reaction to getting traded to Minnesota after Detroitโs 1-6 start to the season almost two years ago now.
โThatโs really what weโre here to do is go somewhere and win some games. Thatโs kinda the first time Iโve been able to say that. So Iโm pretty excited. I really am.โ
Itโs hard to say things didnโt work out for all sides, which is crazy to think about when youโre dealing with an intra-division trade between two rivals. However, the football gods may be smiling a little more on Detroit something that hasnโt happened too much over the past several decades. Sure, Hockenson is coming off his most productive season as a pro but itโs the Lions who werenโt looking back on Hockenson with the emergence of Sam LaPorta and an NFC North title. Not to mention, since the trade the Vikings have gone 14-13 with a playoff loss, while the Lions are 20-7 and 2-1 in the playoffs.
Try to continue to enjoy your time in Minnesota Hockโฆ
