Lions rookie running back Sione Vaki has been going viral for his performance this preseason. But there may be a new reason to appreciate all he brings to the table.
Not only has Vaki shown a penchant for being able to catch the ball and make moves out of the backfield, but he has a silky smooth singing voice as well. Many players have hidden talents that shine above what they do on the football field, and that is very clear in Vaki's case.
After earning praise from Dan Campbell for his singing in the Lions' annual rookie talent show, Vaki was asked to provide a sampling of his abilities to the media. As soon as he opened his mouth, it was clear he wouldn't disappoint. ESPN's Eric Woodyard captured the moment.
#Lions rookie RB Sione Vaki gave us a sample of his rookie performance today. He can sing for real. 👀 https://t.co/XIvsa1rVcW pic.twitter.com/oLXMbxDHMa
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) August 21, 2024
The Lions already have plenty of showmanship on the roster, with Aidan Hutchinson remembered for his performance of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" during training camp in 2022. While Hutchinson may have the dance moves and the performance flair, it's clear that Vaki has the pipes.
Dan Campbell set the stage for Sione Vaki's performance by raving about his voice
Campbell applied plenty of pressure to Vaki by openly calling him out for having one of the best voices he's ever heard. So there was almost certainly going to be a requested performance after practice.
Even though some of the production may have lacked during the talent show, Campbell acknowledged that what Vaki brought to the table was very impressive.
"I don't know if it's the best performance, but as far as the best voice that I've heard, it's probably up there. (Isaac) Ukwu's got a damn good voice too, and they may be singing a duet today after practice, so those two have really (good voices). The performance was eh. The voice? It was pretty phenomenal, it really is. Maybe he'll sing for you guys sometime. You need to ask him."
Now that Vaki has shown off his talent, it could be time for Ukwu to step up and prove what he is capable of too. Regardless, it's now clear that the Lions have a special rookie class for more than just football reasons.