The Lions’ 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 he’s a Detroit player but because he now has to play them twice a season as an NFC North rival.
During an episode of Barstool’s “Bussin’ with the Boys“, (which we don’t usually like to share shitty fratboy bullshit from that website, however, Hockenson’s comments were pretty interesting) Hockenson commented on the Lions’ renaissance as a member of the Vikings, something he doesn’t seem very resentful about.
“They’re still in the division, so you want to beat them and you want to win the division, but not (a) crazy (amount of bitterness),” Hockenson said. “You see it and you’re like, ‘What’s going on?’ You talk to people (in Detroit) and they’re just like, ‘It started clicking. It was nothing that you had (to do with it).’”
Hockenson also added he is happy for his former teammates:
“I was really happy for the boys that I used to play with. I was in it for a long time. It’s 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.”
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.
“I was excited. It was a fresh start for me,” Hockenson said. “I knew I was going to play for coach (Kevin) O’Connell, 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.
“God 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.”
Of course, Lions fans are probably more familiar with Hockenson’s immediate reaction to getting traded to Minnesota after Detroit’s 1-6 start to the season almost two years ago now.
“That’s really what we’re here to do is go somewhere and win some games. That’s kinda the first time I’ve been able to say that. So I’m pretty excited. I really am.”
It’s hard to say things didn’t work out for all sides, which is crazy to think about when you’re dealing with an intra-division trade between two rivals. However, the football gods may be smiling a little more on Detroit something that hasn’t happened too much over the past several decades. Sure, Hockenson is coming off his most productive season as a pro but it’s the Lions who weren’t 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 Hock…