Five memories from Lions' season
Some of the most unforgettable images from 2007:
1. Miracle comeback
I'll never forget looking into quarterback Jon Kitna's eyes following his return to the field and the fourth-quarter comeback against the Minnesota Vikings in the Sept. 16 home opener at Ford Field. He left the game in the first half with a concussion, but called it a "miracle" that his head cleared. I searched his face for signs of fog in the postgame locker room, but it became perfectly clear that Kitna's eggs no longer were scrambled.
2. Turkey Day doubleheader
The most pleasant interview I conducted all season was spent at wide receiver Mike Furrey's locker prior to the annual Thanksgiving Day game. He and his wife made plans to leave Ford Field after the game to help serve hot meals to the homeless at the Detroit Rescue Mission. Furrey is a gentle soul and one of those rare athletes who not only writes checks to assist charities, but gets personally involved in the lives of the less fortunate.
3. Megatron's run
The most breathtaking image of the season occurred in the fourth quarter of a 23-16 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 21 at Ford Field. Kitna handed off to 6-foot-5, 239-pound rookie wide receiver Calvin Johnson for an end-around to the right side that went for a 32-yard touchdown. It was cartoonish the way the Tampa Bay tacklers bounced off the No. 2 pick in the 2007 NFL draft en route to the end zone.
4. Forehead noogie
I happened to be the first reporter into the Lions' locker room following their 51-14 loss at San Diego on Nov. 16, dropping the team to 6-8. The first person I see is red-faced team president Matt Millen with his head in his hands in a side office. He looked up and immediately pulled the door closed.
5. Mr. Rogers' neighborhood
The most fitting image of the season happened when 340-pound nose tackle Shaun Rogers left Lambeau Field on a forklift following a season-ending 34-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Yes, it was an actual forklift that removed the out-of-shape Rogers from the field and transported him up the stadium tunnel all the way into the trainer's room. He had complained of a sore ankle, but seemed fine later in the locker room.
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