While the Detroit Lions are fresh off an NFC Championship game appearance that helped exorcise decades worth of demons, some of the best teams in recent franchise history before that season came in the mid-2010s. Golden Tate was one of the best wide receivers and downfield playmakers in Lions history.
In an exclusive interview with FanSided on behalf of his partnership with Smirnoff, Tate is very optimistic about what the Lions are building. The always impressive Tate, who ranks seventh in Lions history with 4,741 receiving yards accrued over 4.5 seasons in Detroit, is excited for a fanbase that deserved a consistent winning team to root for.
"People literally waited lifetimes to be called a winner," Tate said. " just a great town, and I think Dan Campbell fits the personality of this state so perfectly...the only team that will stop the Detroit Lions will be the Detroit Lions." Tate thinks the team is set up to win in the same way the New England Patriots were in recent decades.
Golden Tate discusses Lions tenure, hope for success in Detroit's future
Tate had some very complementary words for teammate and Lions immortal Calvin Johnson, who he recognized as someone who transcends normal NFL receiver play. Tate told multiple humorous stories about Johnson gliding down the practice field while the Notre Dame alum (who had a good deal of speed) struggled to keep up.
Tate had tons of praise for ex-Lions coach Jim Caldwell, calling him a "father figure" and emphasizing that everyone would always be receptive to what Caldwell had to say due to his wealth of football knowledge. Tate was apprehensive about the Matt Patricia hire, as his experience with former Pats assistant Charlie Weis at Notre Dame made him nervous.
Tate, channeling the collective Lions fanbase, was not pleased with Patricia. Tate called Patricia's reign "not a fun experience" due to his frequent belittling of players and rigidity. Tate contrasts this with his time under Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, who was able to win despite a much more loose environment.
Detroit's old No. 15 also touched on his time with the Seahawks, with whom he won a Super Bowl. Tate remarked about how particularly special his Super Bowl win was, as Seattle's 43-8 victory was so dominant that the result was assured early in the third quarter.
Tate finished off by peeling back the curtain on his famous jump into the Michigan State band during his time with Notre Dame.
Tate, like many former Lions, is more than ready to turn the page on the old way of doing business and move to an era where Detroit is viewed as a contending team year in and year out.