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Former Lions TE T.J. Hockenson talks about Detroit’s recent success

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Former Lions TE T.J. Hockenson talks about Detroit’s recent success


It’s been almost two full years since the Detroit Lions traded tight end T.J. Hockenson to the Minnesota Vikings, and it’s probably fair to say that it worked out for both sides. The Lions got a 2023 second-round pick and 2024 third-round pick, while the Vikings got Hockenson, a 2023 fourth-round pick and a 2024 fourth-round pick. Detroit now has Sam LaPorta breaking records at the tight end position, while Hockenson is coming off his most productive year despite missing the final two games due to an injury.

This week, Hockenson made another appearance on the “Bussin’ with the Boys” podcast and was asked to reflect on the trade. He admitted, it didn’t come as a complete surprise at the time.

“There were a lot of articles coming out (about me potentially getting traded), because we were, I think, 1-6 at the time,” Hockenson said.

In the final year of his rookie contract, Hockenson knew the Lions were at a fork in the road regarding his future, so when the trade happened it wasn’t a shock (this matches what he said at the time, too).

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At the time, Hockenson caught some flak in Detroit for this comment that he made, regarding an expectation to win and reach the playoffs:

“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.”

Some took this as a shot against Detroit, and maybe it is. But it was also the truth, as the Lions were just 12-42-2 when Hockenson was there. Of course, the cruel irony for Hockenson is that since that trade, the Vikings are 14-13 (0-1 in the playoffs), while the Lions are 20-7 (2-1 in playoffs).

Still, Hockenson doesn’t seem to be holding too much resentment for Detroit’s sudden success.

“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).’”

He later added:

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“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.”

That said, he did admit he still gets a little more juiced for games against his former team.

Part of the reason Hockenson appears to be at peace with what happened is because he is genuinely happy to land with the Vikings organization.

“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.”

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You can watch the entirety of Hockenson’s answer to the question below:



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Detroit, MI

Memorial Day Weekend 2025: Events across metro Detroit

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Memorial Day Weekend 2025: Events across metro Detroit


(WXYZ) — Memorial Day weekend is here and while it may be the coldest Memorial Day weekend in decades, there are still plenty of events going on across metro Detroit.

Below you’ll find a roundup of Memorial Day weekend events.

Detroit Tigers games – Friday, May 23 at 7:10 p.m., Saturday, May 24 at 6:15 p.m., Sunday, May 25 at 11:35 a.m. and Monday, May 26 at 1:10 p.m.
Movement Festival – Saturday, May 24 through Monday, May 26

The Weeknd at Ford Field – Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25

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Detroit City FC – Saturday, May 24

The Beach Boys – Sunday, May 25 at Meadow Brook Amphitheatre

Birmingham Memorial Day Service – Monday, May 26 at 10 a.m.

Dearborn Memorial Day Parade – Monday, May 26 at 10 a.m.

Ferndale Memorial Day Parade – Monday, May 26 at 10 a.m.

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Northville Memorial Day Parade – Monday, May 26 at 10 a.m.

Plymouth Memorial Day Parade – Monday, May 26 at 9 a.m.

Rochester Memorial Day events – Monday, May 26 starting at 8 a.m.

St. Clair Shores Memorial Day Parade – Sunday, May 25 at 1 p.m.

Sterling Heights Memorial Day Parade – Monday, May 26 at 9 a.m.

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Kensington Metropark Art Fair – Saturday, May 24 through Monday, May 26

Memorial Service at The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe – Monday, May 26 at 10 a.m.





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Detroit Fire medics honored after saving man during cardiac arrest

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Detroit Fire medics honored after saving man during cardiac arrest


A journeyman mason was on hand as the two Detroit Fire medics were honored for bringing him back from the brink on Tuesday.

The backstory:

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Every day is a second chance for Micah Parker.  Today it was another chance for him to say thanks.

“I see this guy every day from the memories,” he said.

Parker is talking about Detroit Firefighter Paramedic Chris Photiades.

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“We’re responding to a different call and we were rerouted from a different call to this one,” he said.

The DFD Medic Crew was just in time to arrive at Mann Elementary School in Detroit.

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“When we got there we saw the patient, his union brothers were doing CPR on him,” said Photiades.

Parker, who was working as a journeyman mason, had suffered cardiac arrest and was clinically dead.

“It was very tense. We recognized immediately that we needed to fire all cylinders when working on this guy,” said Samuel Lemire, DFD firefighter.

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“We lowered him down on the ground, cut his shirt off, started CPR on him, threw the defibrillator pads on him,” said Photiades.

And then finally – there was a sign of life.

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“Between us and his union brothers, Engine Company 55, we all worked together to bring him back from the dead, literally,” said Photiades.

FOX 2 first met Parker last November when he met with his union brothers, medics and DMC Sinai Grace Hospital staff to say thank you.

“I’m just happy that I am really able to talk about all this,” he said, then.

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Fast-forward to EMS Week 2025 and Parker showed his appreciation while the two medics received the Kim Lagerquist Lifesaver of the Year Award from the Detroit East Medical Control Authority.

Union-required CPR training saves member’s life on Detroit job site

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“Every day members go above and beyond, but for some cases, they just really need that extra recognition,” said Chuck Simms, DFD executive fire commissioner.

Everyone involved in this life-saving story say you, too, can be a hero, and it starts with learning hands-only CPR

“You not knowing CPR could be the difference between someone living or dying around you,”

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“It’s two to three hours out of your day for a lifetime of knowledge that could save your life, or someone you love,” said Photiades.

The Source: Information for this story came from a previous report and Tuesday’s award ceremony.

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Good News OnlyDetroit



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Detroit, MI

Organizations and companies are partnering to introduce Black students in Detroit to golf

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Organizations and companies are partnering to introduce Black students in Detroit to golf


The Rocket Classic has steered nearly $10 million from the annual PGA event held in Detroit to local charitable organizations. Of that, $800,000 has been given to programs that teach kids how to play the game. One program provides access to college scholarships to high school seniors, while upward of 700 children and teens take part each year in programs put on by First Tee of Greater Detroit.

”Golf is the why we get them there, but while we have them there we’re teaching them life skills,” said Carl Bentley, chief executive of First Tee of Greater Detroit, which has donated a golf simulator to the school district. ”Learning how to say ‘yes sir, yes ma’am’ — shake a hand properly, how to start a conversation. We’re teaching them life skills and then we get to putting and swinging and things like that.”

Among the 28.1 million Americans who played golf on a course in 2024, about 25% were Black, Asian or Hispanic, according to the National Golf Foundation. Interest is wider when considering those who played or followed professional golf coverage on TV, in writing or via podcasts.

But Hawkins said his experience as a coach suggests Black high schoolers aren’t among that audience.

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”You don’t hear kids talking about the latest golf shoes or the cool golf apparel,” Hawkins said. ”You’re not necessarily going to get a badge of honor walking into your high school and you’ve got the newest golf shirt.”

Lack of money is a barrier



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