In the past 80 years, nine William & Mary players have been drafted by the Detroit Lions, the latest being Colby Sorsdal.
"I didn't know the extent of what it means to win here and what it means to win a playoff game here," said Sorsdal reflecting on his rookie season thus far.
We're slowly finding that out as the Lions magical playoff run unfolds.
It means history. "We hadn't had a playoff win in 30 something years," he said, recounting their win over the Rams in the first round of the playoffs last weekend. It also means hope. "To see people crying it just meant so much to the city and the team."
And its precisely the definition of Detroit 'grit', 32 years in the making. "There's guys in the locker room like Taylor Decker who have been lifelong Lions and to see them struggle to go from a 1-11 team to being arguable one of the best teams in the NFL. I mean we're one of the final eight teams. Its something I'll never forget and I know that's a cliché thing to say."
After the win over the Rams, Ford Field registered as the 4th loudest game in NFL history.
"I think Coach Campbell said that you could hear the electricity. I'm just so blessed to be apart of it my first year here."
Sorsdal was drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft after 5 years and 46 career starts with the Tribe which ranks fourth all time at William & Mary.
"Its definitely cool to sit down and reflect and appreciate where you've come from. I call them my William & Mary family because they are family to me," he said. In 2022, Sorsdal helped lead the Tribe to its best regular season record in school history followed by a CAA championship, advancing to the quarterfinal round of the FCS playoffs.
Now, in just over a calendar year, Sorsdal has gone from the FCS playoffs to the NFL playoffs. The support around Detroit has been unwavering, he says.
"I mean I see it everyday. Just random people who will say like, 'dude you're awesome, keep going, keep going!'"
At the helm of the Lions, one of the most spirited coaches in the NFL- Dan Campbell.
"I tell you what I'd run through a brick wall for that guy. He loves football and he loves the players he coaches. And he exemplifies that in every way, shape or form when he can so its definitely special," said Sorsdal.
Detroit has now hosted two playoff games in one season for the first time in franchise history. They're also one of four NFL franchises without a Super Bowl appearance.
"This city has been through some rough times and to give them something that's meaningful and win, its really cool. Michigan won and that was cool and now they're like 'all eyes on us now!'"
After a win in the divisional round over Tampa Bay, Detroit will play in just its second NFC championship in franchise history next Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.
