Taylor Decker shed tears of joy after his 100th game with the Detroit Lions

In the world of professional football, reaching the milestone of 100 matches played with the same team is a rare thing. For Detroit Lions left tackle Taylor Decker, this moment comes amid adversity and the team’s long struggle for success. The Lions, who haven’t won a championship since 1957 and haven’t had a playoff victory since 1991, have faced many challenges. Decker hasn’t appeared in the 30 years since the Lions last won in the playoffs, but he’s remained a constant presence through the ups and downs.

After the Lions’ convincing 42-24 win over the Carolina Panthers, Taylor Decker couldn’t contain his emotions. He talked about the tough times, the times when victory seemed elusive, and the weight of the responsibility to help his teammates win. Decker’s journey mirrors that of the entire Lions, a team that has persevered through adversity with unwavering dedication.

“I think what makes this mean the most to me is the bad times,” Decker said. “When we weren’t winning and no one wanted to watch us play, no one thought we were a good team and no one thought we were going to be successful and go in the right direction.

“But it’s just one of those situations where you continue to show up and work because the Lions are going to play football on Sunday whether I’m there or not, and that’s very important to me and it’s important The important thing for me is to become a player.” partly because I feel like that’s what I was brought here to do.

“I feel like I was brought here to try and be a piece to help the team win. And it took a long time, man. But I’m almost thankful for those dark times, because it’s made this just sweet. I’m revitalized. I feel great. Like, I feel the best I’ve ever felt.”

“There were just times for me personally when I would look at the big picture and it would be overwhelming for me because I wouldn’t know what to do to try and help the team win,” Decker said. “It seemed like there was so much going on, and I’m like, ‘Where do we start?’ And I kind of got caught up to where I was focusing too much on that and it was kind of bogging me down mentally because when you’re just angry all the time, it’s exhausting.

“I think anger is awesome fuel, but when it’s all you have, it just wears you down, and I just felt like I was worn down all the time. Nobody wants to be a loser. But, like, you are going to be what your record says you are. I’ve always felt personally like I’m a winner, but I wasn’t. Because that’s not what the record said. But again, it’s one of those instances where you don’t have any choice but to keep showing up. You’re not going to quit, you just have to keep showing up.”

“It just means a lot to me,” Decker said, choking up. “I’m passionate about being able to play for this organization. I’m passionate about being able to start for them. I’m passionate about the people who supported me. I’m passionate about the fanbase, who, (expletive), they’re always there. Even when we were losing, there were always people in the stadium, always people cheering.”

As Taylor Decker choked up while speaking about his 100th game with the Detroit Lions, it became clear that this milestone represented far more than just a number. It encapsulated a journey of passion, perseverance, and pride. For the players, the organization, and the devoted fanbase, every game played is a testament to unwavering commitment, even in the face of challenges. Decker’s emotional reflection reminds us that sports are about more than just wins and losses; they are about the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring love for the game.