As Super Bowl LX approaches, Eminem’s presence hangs over Detroit football conversations. This week, that connection came up again when Aidan Hutchinson joined Kyle Long at Radio Row and spoke about meeting Eminem.
His story revealed something deeper than a celebrity encounter. It showed how belief runs through the city.
“That Was A Highlight Of My Life”
When asked if he had met Eminem, Hutchinson had a story to tell. He described the moment as unforgettable. It happened during the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit, when Hutchinson, Jared Goff, and Amon-Ra St. Brown were hyping the crowd.
Shortly after they left the stage, someone stopped him: “Hey, Marshall wants to talk to you”.
At first, Hutchinson was confused, “Marshall? The hell is Marshall?” Then it clicked. Eminem was waiting in his trailer.
They talked football, not in theory and not in buzzwords. Eminem spoke like a fan who had lived every snap. “Really cool, man. Really, really invested in football. He was talking ball with me like he was one of the boys. Not scientific”, Hutchinson recalls. “We just came off the NFC championship loss the year before to San Fran. And he was talking to me about that, just as a fan. It looked like he would strap it up for us and run fourth-and-one. He’d be out there for us, and he would do that willingly, for sure. Absolutely”.
A Fan Who Shows Up Every Season
That image fits. Eminem has never been a distant supporter of the Detroit Lions. He has promoted drafts, worn player jerseys, and pushed belief when the team was close.
Earlier, during the 2023–24 playoff run, Eminem loudly backed the Lions as they chased a Super Bowl spot. At the time, Detroit felt close. The city felt ready.
“Put Me In, Coach”
In January 2024, before the divisional playoff game against Tampa Bay, Eminem posted a video message to head coach Dan Campbell. He jokingly offered himself as an eligible receiver. Marshall promised a touchdown. More than that, he promised belief:
“Yo, Dan! I’m reporting! I’m gonna report. Third quarter. I’m reporting. Offensive line, eligible receiver, I’ll be a quarterback, the entire line, the offensive line, the receiver. And I will throw it to myself, and I will score a touchdown in the third quarter. Just give me a uniform. Or just like a helmet. I already have a helmet. It’s not the one for football. Well, it’s just a helmet. But eh… Yeah, man, I’m here, bro. Imma be there that night, I will suit up, and I will score the winning touchdown. In the third quarter. The winning touchdown. I’ll score us”.
The clip was playful, but the message was serious. Eminem wanted the Lions to know he was with them.
Detroit Pride
When Hutchinson says Eminem would “strap it up” and run for the team, it does not sound exaggerated. It sounds accurate.
Eminem’s loyalty mirrors Detroit’s identity. Show up. Work. Believe again next season.
And as Super Bowl week unfolds, that mindset still defines the city. Detroit is not chasing hype. It is chasing something earned.
