Eminem Reports to Detroit Lions Duty: ‘Just Give Me a Uniform’
Written by Lars Brandle on January 17, 2024
Eminem is keen to play ball with his beloved Detroit Lions.
As the NFL franchise breaks its painful, three-decade-long playoff drought, Marshall Mathers puts his hand up for selection with an amusing play to coach Dan Campbell.
Em gets into the spirit of the Lions’ rare post-season progress with a social post.
“Yo, Dan, I’m reporting. I’m going to report. Third quarter,” the Rap God says. “I’m reporting, offensive line, eligible receiver. I’ll be the quarterback, the entire line, (the) offensive line. And the receiver, I will throw it to myself and score a touchdown. In the third quarter. Just give me a uniform. Or at least just a helmet.”
He already has one, but it’s not regulation. “It’s just a helmet,” he insists.
The 51-year-old artist might not be able to do it on all a football field, but he’s without question a superstar in the field of hip-hop. In 2020, with the release of Music to Be Murdered By, Eminem notched his historic 10th No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart. Ten of those were in succession, a record; and each of them debuted at the summit, again, something never done before.
He’s just the sixth act with at least 10 No. 1 LPs in the United States.
Two years later, Eminem was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, an accolade that sits beside his 15 Grammy Awards.
The Lions, however, haven’t been winning much of late. The club left it late for its 24-23 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night (Jan. 14), for their first play-off game victory in 32 years.
The NFC’s No. 3 seeded Lions can now boast two home play-off games for the first time in franchise history, kicking on again Sunday for a second-round matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Eminem has been spotted at Lions game this season, and in years past, has taken his spot in the commentary booth, and offered his services – despite his advancing years.
In 2022, then aged 49, Slim Shady appeared in an episode of HBO’s NFL series Hard Knocks, asserting that he was down to suit up any time they need him. “I said I’m here for whatever position. I’m here. Any of ‘em. All of ’em,” Em said while hanging on the sidelines at a Detroit Lions practice.