Detroit Lions players,
Heading into the season, there was plenty of optimism about the team. Sure, that optimism was chopped down a bit after a rough preseason, but as you know, us Lions’ fans (at least your true fans) are loyal to a fault and we always have hope that this will finally be the year.
For many of us, that hope took a big shot to the gut on Monday night when you were blown out by the New York Jets on your home turf. It was not just that you lost the game but that you looked unprepared, unfocused, and at many times, unmotivated.
As a professional myself (as most of your fans are), I would be highly insulted if somebody from the outside looking in accused me of not giving 100% while at my job, so that is not what I am going to do to you. But, I will also tell you that it is extremely hard to lay it all on the line when you do not believe in or respect your leader. Trust me, I’ve been there in the past. Many of us have.
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That being said, reports have surfaced of Jets’ players accusing you of quitting on Monday Night Football in front of your home crowd. Other reports (some going back to training camp), say that some of you felt like you were worked too hard or belittled during preseason workouts by your new head coach, Matt Patricia. Whether there is any truth to any of that, only you truly know.
But, if that is the case, I understand where you are coming from, trust me when I say that. It’s extremely hard to run through a wall for somebody if you do not feel like you are being treated as a professional. It is human nature to give that extra effort and to rise up to the challenge when a true leader is there to guide you and vice versa.
That being said, your job is different because you are playing the game of football for more than just yourselves or your family. You are playing for your fans. You are playing for the city of Detroit. You are playing for the state of Michigan. Whether you like it or not, you impact the lives of millions each and every week of the NFL season.
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As I stated earlier, this is not a letter to accuse you of quitting or not giving 100% when you take the field. This is to remind you that WE, YOUR TRUE FANS, have your back through the thick and thin and we are counting on you to play for us each week.
By quitting on Matt Patricia, you would be quitting on us.
One Pride,
Lions fans
