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Posts Tagged ‘#Lions’

Golden stays humble even through increased fame

Monday, August 10th, 2015

Rochester Hills — Golden Tate walked into Dick’s Sporting Goods on Thursday and was dumbfounded when he saw a wall of Lions jerseys.

There were plenty of Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford jerseys. And several Ndamukong Suh No. 90s, too, even though he’s off to Miami.

The only No. 15 — Tate’s number — was on a mannequin at the entrance.

But this wasn’t an oversight. Two store workers said the Rochester Hills location had simply sold out of his jersey, one of the many signs Tate has developed a strong following since signing a five-year, $31 million deal in 2014.

And on Thursday it showed as Tate hosted a youth camp attended by approximately 190 kids.

“That’s something I don’t get caught up thinking about,” Tate said of his increasing popularity. “I’m here to do a job, and I’m here to help bring this community together as much as I can. The way I see it, I’m more than just a football player.”

Before the shopping spree, Tate said he’d be fine with the children buying Johnson jerseys because he’s still with the Lions.

“Just no Suhs,” he said. “That’s a blast from the past.”

Tate, who spent his first four years with the Seahawks, has increased his receptions and yardage in each of his five seasons. He had career bests with the Lions last season with 99 receptions for 1,331 yards. He agreed his performance has made him more popular, but realizes more people will be watching now.

“I think there’s more pressure this year that I don’t come back and have a dud year,” he said.

Tate said he believes he can do better this season, but isn’t focused on meeting any benchmarks. Instead, his goals are team related — win the NFC North, win every game at Ford Field, and go deep in the playoffs.

“If we can do all those things, I would think that statistically I’ll be right on track,” he said.

Tate said conducting a camp like Thursday’s was important because he remembered having star athletes come to his practices or camps when he was young.

The event at Dick’s also was organized by ProCamps — a management and sports marketing company — and was just one more opportunity for him to create memories for some young players.

“Everyone in here who’s receiving a gift card deserves it,” he said. “They worked hard or they’re doing something right, and I think it’s important to show you can be rewarded when you work hard and when you are doing the right things.”

Golden Tate: Doesn’t view himself as #2

Thursday, July 30th, 2015

Tate, who led the Lions in catches and receiving yards last season while Johnson missed time with injuries, said he views himself as a No. 1 receiver no matter who else is on the field.

“I’ll go back to when I signed my contract,” Tate told the Detroit Free Press. “I was fully aware that if I’m playing with one of the best receivers to ever and arguably the best player to play in the game right now, I understood that. But I wasn’t coming in with the mindset that I’m going to be second to anyone. I don’t care if I was playing with Jerry Rice, Cris Carter and Calvin on the same team. I don’t have that mindset that I’m going to be the No. 2. I came in fighting for the No. 1. And realistically, we understand the situation. And that’s just kind of my mindset.”

In Weeks 4-8, Johnson missed three games and was severely limited by injuries in two others. In those five games, Tate totaled 39 catches for 599 yards, and the Lions went 4-1. Tate is proud that he helped the Lions move toward the playoffs while their biggest star was sidelined.

“I was told every day just to be the best I possibly could,” Tate said. “And we don’t know what injuries are going to happen or different things are going to happen during the season and [last season] they needed me to show up big. And when Calvin was out I tried to lead this team a little bit more than I had in the past and it worked out for us. So it builds trust.”

Given that the Lions are devoting more than $28 million in cap space to the wide receiver position, by far the most in the NFL, they’d better have more than one guy who can act as a No. 1 receiver.

Golden Tate’s Football Camp — November 28, 2014

Thursday, October 30th, 2014

 

 

 

The Golden Tate Show–Week 1 on Detroit Sports 105.1

Wednesday, September 10th, 2014

Listen to Golden as he discusses the Week 1 victory against the New York Giants here!