Thursday, August 4, 2022

Aidan Hutchinson impresses Lions with game, ‘Billie Jean’ rendition too


ALLEN PARK — Aidan Hutchinson stepped in front of his 89 teammates during a recent team meeting, “$23.15 million” slapped in big letters behind him, a reminder to everyone of the signing bonus the 21-year-old received as the second overall pick in the NFL draft. The pressure was on.

As always, he delivered.

In this case, he delivered a stirring rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” that impressed teammates.

“It was money. That man was money,” offensive tackle Penei Sewell said. ”Butter. He scratched up a little bit at the beginning, but I get it. Jitters. But he killed it. That man killed it.”

Rookie hazing has been a staple of this game for a long time, and Hutchinson endeared himself to teammates by taking the moment in stride — and in front of the “Hard Knocks” cameras, no less. Sure sounds like the video will be must-watch whenever it comes out, too.

“I will say this, it was outstanding,” head coach Dan Campbell said. “He took a big step in respect of his teammates because it was a hell of a performance. Just saying. You’ll see it. He’s good, he’s really good.”

Hutchinson has been a big hit on the field too, walloping the second-team offensive line throughout the offseason program before getting promoted to the first team in training camp. He’s flipped between the left and right sides while teaming up with Charles Harris as the top edge rushers. He’s stacked a lot of good moments too, like beating Sewell with a swim move to the inside on Saturday.

But in the next practice, Detroit strapped on pads and Sewell got the best of Hutchinson in a tantalizing matchup of top-10 picks. Sewell beat Hutchinson in both of their one-on-one reps, plus handled him throughout team drills, at one point earning a butt-slap from Campbell for planting Hutchinson with an arm bar.

Hutchinson is clearly talented. He also clearly has a lot to learn before he’s ready to fulfill his potential. To his credit, he knows that too, and has spent most of his early days in Allen Park listening rather than speaking (or singing).

“He’s quiet, but a lot of that is because he’s a rookie, he knows,” Campbell said. “He’s very self-aware. He is. He’s not coming in here being loud and talking a bunch of trash or doing anything like that, he knows he’s got to earn his right. Just because he was a first-round pick doesn’t mean that he’s automatically got the respect of everybody in there. He’s got to earn that, and he understands it. So he goes out there and he just works his ass off in practice, then in meetings he keeps his mouth shut until he’s asked a question. That’s exactly what you want in a rookie. He’s going to earn their respect.”

Sounds like he’s already doing it.



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