With his recent victory in the fan vote for the cover of Madden 13, Calvin Johnson had the honor of joining NFL Commissioner Rodger Goodell on stage last night to announce the Detroit Lions 23rd pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Here’s the video of his announcement of OT Riley Reiff as the Lions newest member:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=157EQoXIJmY&feature

» Continue reading “Video: Calvin Johnson Announces Lions 23rd Pick”

It’s the battle of the best looking … err … I mean most deserving in the Madden 13 cover vote. Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson and Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton will face off in the final round for a chance to grace the cover of the EA Sports video game.

Voting starts today and the winner will be announced April 25. » Continue reading “Calvin Johnson Advances to Finals in Madden 13 Cover Vote”

Barry Sanders tweeted a few days ago that once again he will be announcing the Detroit Lions second-round draft pick at the 2012 NFL Draft April 26.

In 2011, Sanders was also asked to announce the Lions second-round pick, which happened to be Boise State wide receiver Titus Young (44th overall). Young also just so happened to be our most productive rookie. Coincidence? I think not.

A video of Sanders announcing last year’s pick is after the jump. And it’s amazing to hear the ovation he gets.

» Continue reading “Barry Sanders To Announce Lions 2nd-Round Draft Pick”

Former Detroit Lions superstar running back Barry Sanders has reportedly filed for divorce Oakland County Circuit Court after more than a decade of marriage.

Sanders and Lauren Campbell-Sanders — a TV anchor with WDIV (Channel 4) in Detroit — have three children together. He also has another child — Barry James Sanders, who will play football at Stanford — from a previous relationship.

Sanders, 43, said in the filing that there has been a breakdown in the marital relationship, and there remains no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved.

Sanders is reportedly seeking joint custody.

You can find me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MelissaHeyboer and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/barrysandersmemorialblog.

Barry Sanders is making the rounds in the acting world. He’s set to appear in an upcoming movie titled “Touchback,” which opens in April, and can now add commercial star to his impressive resume as well.

The video is mildly humorous and I actually think Barry does a pretty respectable job.

You can find me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MelissaHeyboer and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/barrysandersmemorialblog.

Two Detroit Lions took home awards last night at the NFL Honors show in Indianapolis. QB Matthew Stafford was named the AP Comeback Player of the Year, while WR Calvin Johnson was named NFL.com Fantasy Player of the Year.

Stafford, who beat out six other players to win the award, said “This is a team award. You win something like this, it takes all 53 guys in the locker room.”

It may be a team award, but Stafford definitely did his part. After playing in just 13 games over his first two seasons, Stafford started all 16 games this season, threw for more than 5,000 yards, and let the Lions to their first playoff berth in 12 years.

As far Johnson, his award comes as no surprise either. Especially coming form someone who selected him first in their fantasy draft. Johnson wasn’t there to accept the award, but host Alex Baldwin gladly accepted on his behalf. » Continue reading “Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson win NFL Honors Awards”

Who else is waiting in anticipation?

Barry Sanders will make a cameo appearance in a movie titled “Touchback,” which is set to premiere April 27 in the Grand Rapids, Mich. area. He plays an assistant coach.

The film casts Brian Presley as the lead role, who also co-produced the movie. He plays a former high school quarterback who is transported back in time and given the chance to relive a critical point in his athletic career.

The movie, which filmed a lot of it scenes more than a year ago, used the football field of Coopersville High School in GR. That’s where my dad went to school, ladies and gentlemen. Which means he’s famous in some round about way. Right? Right. » Continue reading “Barry Sanders to Make Film Deput”

I’m sure by now you’ve seen the Detroit Lions edition of the NFL Play 60 commercial. It was showed for the first time on Thanksgiving. And if I’m being completely honest (and most likely biased) I think it’s the best so far.

I mean, Barry Sanders is driving the bus fergawdsakes! Brilliance! Here it is just in case you haven’t seen it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clYVVES6FkY

According the its website, NFL Play 60 is: “NFL PLAY 60 is the National Football League’s campaign to encourage kids to be active for 60 minutes a day in order to help reverse the trend of childhood obesity. ”

What do you think of the video?

You can find me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MelissaHeyboer and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/barrysandersmemorialblog.

But the Tigers sure know how to take my heart. Too melodramatic?

Well, here’s a forewarning for everyone: I’m not in the best mood. Baseball has, by all accounts, sucked the very last drop of life out of me.

Or perhaps that last drop will fall when the Tigers lose the ALCS. They currently sit at 3-1, and that’s bad enough. But, this isn’t a Tigers blog, so I’ll move on. But just know, that on the inside, I’m raging.

Also, because I lack very little interest in being humorous, analytical, or witty tonight, this post will consist mostly of video. A look back on Monday night’s win seems like a good cure for my ailing heart.

And of course we have to start with the great Barry Sanders. Because Monday wouldn’t have been Monday without his much anticipated intro.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Uhr5yLif5KQ

So, how awesome was that video? I felt like it had all the impact of the Eminem/Chrysler commercial, but in a very low-key kind of way. Barry is still awesome. Motown is still rocking. And the Lions are still finally winning. Life is good. » Continue reading “‘Ain’t No One, Can Take the Heart of the City’”

What happens when you’re young, talented, and your nickname is Megatron? You get your picture on the cover of a prominent sports magazine.  That’s the natural progression, right?

Except, the Lions aren’t used to all this media attention. So, Calvin Johnson gracing the cover of this week’s Sports Illustrated is kind of odd.

In fact, it’s the first time the Lions have been on the cover of the magazine since 2002 (not including the 2004 HOF edition featuring Barry Sanders), when Joey Harrington was featured in a “Young Guns of the NFL” article.

There was even a quote on the cover from Harrington that said, “I know I can play in this league.” That sure turned out well.

Yeah, no.

The article being featured in this week’s Sports Illustrated is titled “The Hungry Lions” and has a subhead titled “Do you believe? Detroit Does.”

Senior writer Damon Hack takes an in-depth look at the incredible young talent on the Lions, particularly Ndamukong Suh, as well as the reasons behind the success the Lions have had starting towards the end of last year which has carried over into the 2011 season.

Prior to 2002, the Lions were featured on three covers during the 90s — including two with Barry Sanders (here and here) and one with Chris Claiborne. » Continue reading “Calvin Johnson Appears on Sports Illustrated Cover”