The year was 2007. Calvin Johnson was a rookie. ‘Fire Millen’ was still just a catchphrase. And Jon Kitna was a living legend for the Detroit Lions.
For the next six weeks, I’€ll be taking a look back to some of the stranger things that have occurred in my lifetime as a Detroit Lions fan.
This week’s edition is a retelling of the period in 2007 when Jon Kitna briefly took on larger-than-life status at Ford Field.
The Lead Up
The Lions were coming off of a 3-13 season in 2006. Nearly everyone predicted them to once again finish near the league basement in 2007. Nearly everyone except starting quarterback Jon Kitna, that is. Perhaps looking to drum up some much-needed buzz for the new season, or maybe due to smoking something incredibly potent, Jon Kitna predicted 10 wins for the Lions during the offseason.
In an appearance on Detroit sports talk radio a month later, the hosts called out Kitna for his previous statements. Kitna ended up changing his stance: He predicted 10 wins minimum.
Everyone in the state of Michigan pretty much laughed.
By the middle of September though, the Lions shockingly appeared well on their way to fulfilling the 10 win prophecy. Not only that, but following a gritty overtime win in the home opener, the journeyman quarterback was emerging as an unlikely savior.
Jon Kitna probably doesn’t remember anything from this game, but fortunately the entire broadcast is up on YouTube.