Memorable Lions Moments
The most (un)forgettable Thanksgiving Day games
By George Mamatas and Colin Watts
Chieftain Staff
Thankful for Barry (1997)
The showdown between the Lions
and Bears marked Barry Sanders’ best
Thanksgiving Day performance. Sanders
rushed for 167 yards and an impressive
three touchdowns. Sanders also made
history during the game, passing Eric
Dickerson to move to No. 2 on the NFL’s
all-time rushing list.
Detroit native and Steeler Hall of Fame
RB Jerome Bettis appeared to call tails
during the coin toss to start the overtime,
but referee Phil Luckett
instead said Bettis called
heads. The Lions received
the ball and took it down
the fi eld for a Jason Han-
son fi eld goal to give the
Lions a 19-16 win.
ten that there might be video evidence
to back it up. The video showed that, in
addition to the stomp, Suh also slammed
Packer OL Evan Di-
etrich-Smith’s head
into the ground. Suh
was ejected from
the game and then
suspended for the
next two games with
no pay for what was
becoming a pattern
for him.
Suh’s Stomp (2011)
One of the most fa-
The Coin Flip (1998)
mous recent Thanksgiv-
After fi nishing tied at 16 at the end
ing moments was when
Jim Schwartz’s infamous challenge The (Un)Challenge
of regulation, the team captains from
DT Ndamukong Suh
(2012)
the Lions and Steelers met at midfi eld.
stomped on a Green Bay offensive line-
A combination of terrible offi ciating
man late in the 2011
and an illegal challenge resulted in one
battle. The Packers
of the most controversial endings to a
were unbeaten at the
Thanksgiving game. With 6:49 remain-
time and would end
ing in the third quarter, Houston RB
up beating the Lions,
Justin Forsett appeared to be down on a
27-15, but few people
2nd-and-10 running play. However, the
talked about the
refs did not blow the whistle and Forsett
outcome. Suh, already
took the ball 81 yards down the fi eld for a
known as one of the
Texan touchdown. Detroit’s head coach,
more dirty players
Jim Schwartz, immediately threw a chal-
during his time with
lenge fl ag. But, because by rule the play
the Lions, became a
was automatically reviewable, Schwartz’s
household name after
challenge resulted in a 15-yard penalty
this incident. Suh
and also revoked the booth’s opportunity
denied the stomp, but
to review it. The Lions went on to lose,
he
must
have
forgot-
34-31.
Suh cemented his reputation as a dirty player in 2011
UNDERDOG
Continued from Back Page
have nothing but victories and champi-
onships in mind.
“We have a bunch of Seniors this year
who have been playing together a long
time, since Sophomore year,” said Senior
Cal Ruprich. “We have a lot of experi-
ence and the Catholic League is not as
good as it normally is. The team to beat
is De La Salle, but we feel like we can
play with them and everyone else.”
Though the Catholic League has trou-
bled them in past seasons, they believe
they can get by with the hard work they
put in every day.
Both Hockey and Swimming are com-
ing off State Championship seasons, but
B ROTHE R R I C E H I G H S C HO O L C H I E F TA I N
very much present but will not be used
both also might be taking an underdog
as an excuse by these squads.
approach this season, something that is
All the winter teams live to fi ght for
not expected from defending-champion
championships. We, the students, are
teams. The boys who return on both
extremely excited for more.
teams are not satisfi ed with winning last
year. They are back and hungrier
than ever.
Junior swimmer Jonah Venos
says, “It’s defi nitely going to
be an interesting year, but we
should do just fi ne in the long
run.”
Hockey Senior Dominic Di-
Ponio said this season should be
a test: “We have a lot of young
guys, but they are talented. We
expect to do well if everybody
steps up to the challenge.”
The loss of Senior leadership is Coming off a State title, Hockey has big skates to fi ll
P AGE 6
N O V E M B E R 2017