Lions Getting Blitzed by Tragedies

A sports psychologist says the Detroit Lions’ recent tragedies could make the players stronger. Or, it could leave them feeling jinxed.

You could build a strong case for jinxed. The Lions are no strangers to tragedy.

--Wide receiver Chuck Hughes died of a heart attack in a game against the Chicago Bears on Oct. 24, 1971. It happened in full view of a packed house at Tiger Stadium.

--Don McCafferty, who won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Colts, coached the Lions to a 6-7-1 record in 1973. He died during training camp the following season, July 28, 1974.

In the past seven months, the Lions have lost three key figures.

--On Nov. 17, tackle Mike Utley sustained a neck injury during a game against the Rams and is paralyzed from midchest down.

--On May 8, defensive backfield coach Len Fontes--brother of Coach Wayne Fontes--died of a heart attack.

--And on Tuesday, guard Eric Andolsek was struck and killed by a truck as he worked in his front yard near Thibodaux, La.

“Every organization is confronted with crises,” Lion General Manager Chuck Schmidt said. “We, unfortunately, have had more than our share of late.”

The Lions are considered one of the strong young teams in the NFL. How the team responds to these events could determine whether it continues to improve.

Hugh Bray is a Ph.D who has devoted his adult life to the study of these things. He has worked with the Detroit Red Wings and the U.S. Olympic hockey team.

“Obviously, those who were very close to Eric Andolsek will go through a grieving process,” Bray said.

Grief is an intricate and very personal process. First there is shock and denial. That’s followed by anger and depression. Understanding and acceptance sometimes can take a long time.

No two people wound the same.

“Anybody who experiences loss will go through this,” Bray said. “Some will still be in shock when the season starts, and won’t believe he’s not there. Those closest to him will suffer most.

“But I would expect most to be over it. I would think the players should be together by September.”

That’s when the 1992 season begins.

The key to the healing process is communication. It will be important for the players to talk to one another about the recent losses. Big guys need to know it’s not a sissy thing to cry.

“They need to talk about it. The more the better,” Bray said.