Lions wide receiver Nate Burleson spent some of his Monday doing volunteer work, but even that couldn’t excuse him from razzing about the team’s recent string of three losses in their last four games.
Burleson was helping to feed the homeless at a church in Detroit when he encountered a man who decided to share his dismay about the familiar mix of turnovers and penalties that helped the Lions to a loss in Philadelphia.
“I just got back from feeding some homeless in downtown Detroit,” Burleson said during an interview with 105.1 FM. “Not saying that to get a pat on the back, but I was sitting there -- it was a happy moment, you see smiles on peoples’ faces, giving hugs and taking pictures -- and one guy who was there getting some food said, ‘Man, you guys are sorry. Same old Lions.’”
Burleson said he initially tried to defend his team, but wound up telling the man that he understands the “same old Lions” sentiment comes from the team’s failure to finish games like the one they led 14-0 in Philadelphia before losing 34-20. With three games left and the Bears and Packers joining them at or near the top of the division, the Lions will have to finish strong or they’ll be sitting at home for the playoffs again this season.