Detroit, MI
Sports psychology coach says Detroit Lions are poised to handle pressure surrounding Super Bowl aspirations
(CBS DETROIT) – The Detroit Lions have shown the world this season that they have what it takes to succeed, but can they handle the pressure — heading into the championship — with a first-ever trip to the Super Bowl on the line?
Metro Detroit sports psychology coach Dr. Jason Novetsky with the Champion Mindset Group tells CBS Detroit he believes the Lions have it in them.
He says that while Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers will be physical, the key to winning will be mental toughness.
“If you see something as a threat, you’re going to be scared, you are going to be worried about a bunch of things outside of your control, and it’s going to freeze you up, and that’s when people tend to choke. And if you see it as a challenge or opportunity, then you will be more present, grounded in the moment, focusing on what you need to do to pursue success than focused on avoiding mistakes,” Dr. Novetsky said.
And make no mistake about it, Novetsky says he has had his challenges with keeping his emotions under wrap. He says it was almost near impossible to do when he spent the Lions’ first two playoff games rooting them on at Ford Field.
“It was emotional. I tried to separate my business side from my fan side, and the fan side took over,” Novetsky said.
As for the fans, he says handling any pressure, anticipation, or excitement is nothing a little meditation, yoga, or even some deep breaths can’t fix before the big game.
“Let’s keep it in perspective; it’s still a sport, it’s a game. Yes, it means a lot. I’m not diminishing that, but it’s not life or death; the sun will come up on Monday, and life will go on,” Novetsky said.
The Detroit Lions travel to take on the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at 6:30 p.m.
Javier Báez hits home run in 2026 spring training with Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Báez talks to reporters during spring training February 27, 2026, at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – The Detroit Tigers shut down two of their shortstops on the injured list.
The biggest name?
Javier Báez.
The 33-year-old has been shut down from baseball activities after meeting with a specialist Monday, June 1, about the lack of progress in recovery from a right high ankle sprain, which he suffered April 28. (The Tigers also shut down Trey Sweeney, who has been sidelined with a right shoulder strain since spring training and needs further medical evaluation.)
“We’re still dissecting all the diagnoses and what’s going on with him,” manager A.J. Hinch said of Báez before Tuesday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. “He’s just not progressing very quickly, and right now, rest is still part of the equation.”
The Tigers tried to start Báez’s return-to-play progression with running, hitting and fielding drills.
He still felt symptoms of the high ankle sprain.
“I’m not a doctor,” Hinch said, “but I understand it watching Javy go through a very slow process of the swelling and the bleeding and all the things that go on inside that type of sprain.”
How long until Báez returns to baseball activities?
The timeline is unknown.
He isn’t expected to need surgery, which means he should return at some point after the All-Star break in 2026.
“From what I was told, we’re on the right path and everything is going well,” Hinch said. “These are just really tricky. The path that we’re on, we’re just going to go slow. Baseball activity is going to slow down because we’ve got to make sure we’re taking care of the symptoms.”
Before the injury, Báez played in 24 games for the Tigers, hitting .256 with two home runs, two walks and 16 strikeouts. The injury occurred while running to first base against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park, as he tried to avoid a tag with an awkward slide.
The 13-year MLB veteran’s contract with the Tigers runs until November 2027. He is in the penultimate season of a six-year, $140 million contract from December 2021.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
DETROIT (WXYZ) — A teenager was shot in Detroit on Monday evening, police said.
The shooting happened around 5:30 p.m. near Fenkell Avenue and Strathmoor Street.
It’s unclear at this time what led up to the shooting. Police say the 16-year-old is in stable condition.
Police are looking for a suspect but did not have additional information to provide.
Anyone with information can call the Detroit Police Department.
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