Before their 2023 home opener, Detroit Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson tried to start a new tradition for the fans. He took a “villain” description from head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes and ran with it by wearing a blue ski mask.
Gardner-Johnson’s stunt turned into a full-blown blue ski mask day for the Lions at Ford Field. Heck, even Detroit native actors Tim Robinson and Sam Richardson got in on the fun. Unfortunately, the Lions’ overall team performance didn’t back Gardner-Johnson up, as the Seattle Seahawks stunned Detroit with an epic 37-31 overtime win.
And as Seattle celebrated in the postgame locker room, safety Jerrick Reed filmed himself wearing a blue ski mask while dancing with other Seahawks players. Gardner-Johnson’s stunt, in effect, blew up in his face right away.
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The Lions are probably still the NFC North’s best team, and Gardner-Johnson’s head was in the right place as a leader. But, for at least one week, the vintage Lions showed up at home after trying to start a new custom. Don’t count your chickens before they’ve hatched, folks.