Football and Thanksgiving are two things that are often connected to one another.
For instance, on this coming Thanksgiving Day, the Detroit Lions will face off against the Chicago Bears. But one player on the Lions’ roster is getting a little extra attention this Thanksgiving season.
That’s because the turkey pardoned by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is named in honor of Lion Aidan Hutchinson, but with a little modification that includes a little poultry humor.
On November 14, Whitmer pardoned “Aidan Cluckinson.”
That name was chosen by Valentina, a young Michigan resident from the community of South Lyon.
Whitmer, who has been taking part in a state turkey pardoning ceremony since 2022, and prior to that ceremony, a naming contest was held. Valentina’s choice beat out nearly 4,500 other contest entries.
Hutchinson, while only 24 years old, could already be considered a football legend in Michigan, having played his entire career in the state. A graduate of Divine Child High School in Dearborn, he went on to play for the Michigan Wolverines, becoming the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in 2021. He later was drafted by the Lions and become a 2023 Pro Bowl selection.
“Today, we come together to continue our tradition of pardoning a turkey,” Whitmer said. “This year’s winning name is Aidan Cluckinson, which was one of hundreds of submissions based on our beloved Detroit Lions. The team has really captured our hearts and made us all hopeful for a Super Bowl this year. This Thanksgiving, I hope everyone enjoys time with loved ones, finds a way to give back to the community, and keeps on cheering for our Lions.”
And if Valentina’s poultry humor wasn’t enough, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Tim Boring, added a few extra poultry puns.
“As a lifelong Detroit Lions fan, I am thrilled to be here today to pardon Aidan Cluckinson. He is the definition of true grit and never gets fouled,” said Boring. He will be joining all of us on Thanksgiving Day as the Detroit Lions take wing and fly to their next victory on the road to the Super Bowl.”
And just in case you were wondering, the two turkeys previously pardoned by Whitmer also had fun names. Last year, Whitmer pardoned “Dolly Pardon,” and in 2022 she pardoned “Mitch E. Gander.”
