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Newsstand: Aidan Hutchinson goes through rookie hazing in first NFL training camp

Anthony Broomeby:Anthony Broome•08/02/22•

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Former Michigan Wolverines defensive end Aidan Hutchinson has been making waves with the Detroit Lions since being selected No. 2 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. With training camp in full swing, the time for him to prove he can be a force as a rookie is now.

So far so good for the Michigan alum, who drew the praise of head coach Dan Campbell this week.

“He’s very self-aware,” Campbell said, via The Detroit News. “He is. He’s not coming in here being loud and talking a bunch of trash or doing anything like that. He knows he’s got to earn his right. Just because he was a first-round pick doesn’t mean that he’s automatically got the respect of everybody in there. He’s got to earn that and he understands it.

“So, he goes out there and he just works his (butt) off in practice. And then in meetings, he keeps his mouth shut until he’s asked a question. That’s exactly what you want in a rookie. He’s going to earn their respect.”

Hutchinson has come a long way from being the battery and heart and soul of the Michigan football team. The Lions hazed him during training camp with Campbell making him stand in front of the team and sing “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson. He has some new fans as a result.

“The man was money,” offensive tackle Penei Sewell said Monday. “He scratched up a little bit at the beginning, but I get it. Jitters. But he killed it. That man killed it.”

“I will say this — it was outstanding,” Campbell said. “He took a big step in respect of his teammates because it was a hell of a performance.” 

With HBO’s Hard Knocks in town to film the docuseries, the Michigan alum is sure to appear with the cameras rolling during his performance. The first episode airs Aug. 9 on HBO.

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