Detroit Lions rookie James Houston has just made their clash with the Green Bay Packers even more tense, after he wrote 'F*** you cheesehead' on an Aaron Rodgers jersey.
The Lions and the Packers share the stage for the final clash of the regular NFL season, and it could very well be the case that it's a straight shootout for the final playoff spot. The Packers are in with a win regardless, but the Lions' fate rests with Seattle Seahawks, who's game against Los Angeles Rams will finish shortly before.
It's already been a tense atmosphere with both divisional teams desperate to get into the playoffs, and if the Rams help out, it could be the most watched game of the week. But Houston has upped the stakes even more with his actions ahead of Sunday.
Houston was signing memorabilia ahead of Sunday's clash, when he was approached by a man holding an Aaron Rodgers jersey. He asked the Lions star to sign it with the words '"F*** you cheesehead', and the rookie edge rusher obliged.
Barstool Detroit has already called Houston a 'certified Lions legend' for his actions, and it's fair to say it's gone down well with with Lions supporters. Rodgers isn't the most popular figure amongst Lions fans, partly because of his 18-7 career record against the side.
But Lions fans also feel he can come across smug against them, and safety DeShon Elliott expressed his feelings about the Packers quarterback ahead of Sunday's clash. "I feel like they don’t respect us," Elliott said per Kyle Meinke of MLive.
"(Rodgers) doesn’t respect us, that team doesn’t respect us. We shouldn’t be an underdog, no matter what the record says. Going out there, I think we’re going to fight our a** off, play smash-mouth football, just ‘cause of the respect factor."
The Packers have come a long way since losing to the Lions in November, as have the side from Detroit. The Packers were 3-5 at the time when they lost 15-9 to the Lions who were 1-6.
Now, both teams have a shot at making the playoffs, and both sides would love to get the better over the other. After the Packers lost earlier in the season, Lions fans and players were upset with Rodgers, who didn't take the defeat well.
Rodgers hinted that the Lions were an easy team. and said in his post-game interview: "We can’t lose a game like that against that team, though." And now, regardless of if the Lions are in with a shout come Sunday night, they could end the Packers' season.
There is so much hype ahead of Sunday's game for many reasons, with so much drama expected. It's certainly not a game you'll want to miss, even if it is a school night.
