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Lions Safety Shares Birthday Wish, Declares Team Is Playoff Threat

C.J. Gardner-Johnson does not lack confidence.

John Maakaron

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Detroit Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson is among the most confident players on the current roster. 

Returning after three months away rehabbing from a torn pectoral muscle, Detroit's outspoken defensive back shared birthday wishes for the team, addressed if the team had lost it's swagger and boldly declared the team was a playoff threat. 

Remarkably, Gardner-Johnson was able to finish the game against the Seahawks in Week 2, even despite suffering a severe injury. 

"It’s one of those moments, it’s a learning experience. You learn who you is," said Gardner-Johnson. "You humble up. Like I told myself, this team is damn good without me, and it’s damn good with me, and I’m just glad to be part of something that’s just thriving.”

After struggling giving up points and not getting pressure consistently on opposing quarterbacks over a stretch of several games, defensive lineman John Cominsky indicated the team may have lost it's swagger. 

"John Cominsky said we lost our swagger for a few games. Man, we didn’t lose our swagger. We just got a young team," Gardner-Johnson explained to reporters. 

Practicing for the first time since being injured on his birthday, Gardner-Johnson shared with reporters what his first birthday wish was. 

The 26-year-old shared, "Biggest wish is for us to go to the playoffs, make the Detroit community happy and win our first our playoff game in lord how many years. That is my first birthday wish."

With James Houston and Alim McNeill potentially set to return, Detroit's defense will add reinforcements for their first playoff game since 2016. 

When asked by All Lions if the team could be a threat in the playoffs this season, Gardner-Johnson responded, "That's the dumbest question. You know we're a threat. Come on, man."

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John Maakaron
JOHN MAAKARON

John Maakaron has covered Detroit Sports since 2013. Brings a vast array of experience covering the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Mercy Titans, and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies. John brings a wealth of sports broadcast experience. In 2013, John had the vision to establish the Detroit Sports Podcast Network. Has recorded over 3000 podcasts analyzing Detroit Sports. In 2019, Sports Illustrated Media Group, a historical sports media outlet, partnered with Detroit Sports Podcast to provide daily Lions content for their growing and expanding digital media outlet. Our Lions content can also be read in the newspaper at The Oakland  Passionate about Detroit Sports and it is reflected in his coverage of the local teams!

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