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The Detroit Lions Quiz (2000-2009): Test your fandom!

By Payne Schanski

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 11: A fan looks on with a bag on his head during a game between the Detroit Lions and the Arizona Cardinals at Ford Field on October 11, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 11: A fan looks on with a bag on his head during a game between the Detroit Lions and the Arizona Cardinals at Ford Field on October 11, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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FOXBORO, MA – NOVEMBER 23: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots shakes hands with Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions after a game at Gillette Stadium on November 23, 2014 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – NOVEMBER 23: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots shakes hands with Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions after a game at Gillette Stadium on November 23, 2014 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) /

Answer: Tom Brady

Before morphing into “Tom Terrific”, “The Natural“, and TB12, Brady was just a backup quarterback getting mop-up duty during a blowout loss to the Lions.

On Thanksgiving 2000, a surprisingly competent Lions team was well on their way to a 3rd consecutive win and 8-4 record. The defense was having their way with Drew Bledsoe and the Patriots late in the 4th quarter. A 101 yard Bryant Westbrook pick six put the game well out of reach.

Trailing 34-9 and with only four minutes remaining, the Pats pulled Bledsoe and gave a look to the rookie out of Michigan. Not much happened. Brady failed to pick up a first down, New England punted, and the Lions ran out the clock. Brady wasn’t seen or heard from again for the rest of the season. Final stat line: 1 for 3 passing, 6 yards.

Imagine returning from the future to tell fans exiting the Silverdome that day that they’d just watched the greatest quarterback in NFL history. Except you don’t tell them who it was. Their job is to decide between Bledsoe, Charlie Batch, Tom Brady, and Stoney Case. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Brady finished 4th place in the voting of that scenario.

As they say, the rest is history.

Brady isn’t the only MVP to begin their career against the Lions. In the 2008 season opener, the Falcons handed the keys to the offense to rookie Matt Ryan. Ryan threw a 62 yard touchdown on the very first pass of his NFL career. It was a sign of things to come, for both Matt Ryan and the 2008 Lions (see question #5).

3. Who besides Jason Hanson attempted an extra point for the Lions in the 00s?

(a) Dave Rayner

(b) Ndamukong Suh

(c) Nick Harris

(d) Remy Hamilton

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