Before getting drafted by the Detroit Lions, Michigan native Aidan Hutchinson hadn’t seen them win a playoff game in his lifetime. They advanced to the NFC Championship Game following Sunday’s 31-23 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
As they closed the triumph, Hutchinson stopped to absorb the electric atmosphere at Ford Field. When the game ended, the star pass rusher looked around a bedlam stadium to take in the celebration.
The NFL posted a clip of the moment on social media.
Michigan born and raised. Aidan Hutchinson takes it all in. #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/GUy51qx19Z
— NFL (@NFL) January 21, 2024
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Hutchinson has helped change the Lions’ fortunes since joining the organization as the No. 2 pick in 2022. He tallied 11.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and an interception during a Pro Bowl second season before shining in the playoffs.
The former Michigan Wolverines star tallied two sacks in the opening-round win over the Los Angeles Rams. For an encore, Hutchinson delivered another sack and two quarterback hits on Sunday.
In his post-game interview, Hutchinson called it “amazing” to prevail in front of a hometown crowd that had gone 32 years without a playoff win.
“This city deserves it,” Hutchinson said.
The Lions’ road to a championship now veers away from Detroit. They’ll head to Santa Clara to face the San Francisco 49ers for the NFC title next Sunday. San Francisco survived a scare to pull off a 24-21 comeback win over Detroit’s NFC North rivals, the Green Bay Packers.
Detroit is one win away from its first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history. Hutchinson and Co. will hope to play in Las Vegas on Feb. 11.