The Detroit Lions have come a long way from the franchise which went 0-16, and watching the evolution to greatness has been special for Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson.
Johnson has enjoyed a front-row seat to the revival under his former teammate Dan Campbell, and has been impressed by the team's ability to take on the personality of their head coach. While the reasons for the turnaround have been varied, Johnson sees one particular area as key.
On "The Rich Eisen Show," Johnson was asked what he loves about this year's version of the team. As he explained, it's how they have become a living embodiment of what their coach has preached from the beginning.
"It all goes back to the grittiness with which this team started. I think that's what our fans respect the most. That's why this place is so loud, because we have so many guys that are willing to sacrifice, that are willing to bust their butt, that are willing to go out there even though they're not feeling their best and lay it on the line. We're able to see that each and every day from this team. You got guys in the community trying to help their fellow brethren. You see guys that come from other teams that come here and get thrown into the lineup and are ready to play. A lot of that just goes back to the fundamentals and the coaching and the situations that they put themselves in (during) practice. It just all boils back down to the grit that we have here in Detroit. We want to work. You come here, you gotta want to work."
The Lions are an easy team to cheer for because of the selfless way they approach the game. Every player on the roster has bought into a consistent approach which has led to winning. To Johnson, that has made the team a joy to watch.
Calvin Johnson loves seeing Lions' fans catching football fever
The way the Lions play has captured attention of casual fans, but in Detroit it has made the players virtual rock stars. Johnson has noticed how the energy has changed and spread across the city and state, and it's something he loves to see.
"It's awesome, because this is a sports town. We love all our sports here. Really smart fans, but football? We need a football winner. We have a football winner, the city might burn down because people love, bleed (and) breathe football, especially Detroit Lions football. What this team has meant for the city over the last year-and-a half going on two years, you just see the energy everywhere you go. Obviously in Detroit, everybody's bouncing around, everybody's got something good to talk about because our team is doing well, but it spans outside the city. I snowboard. I go out to the mountain towns, you see Lions all the way out in remote places. It's beautiful to see. It all starts here with this team and that good energy, that good culture. It permeates the culture here in Detroit."
It's safe to say the Lions have never had the kind of focused approach or consistency they do now. That's been exciting for everyone to watch, including a franchise legend like Johnson.
