Detroit Lions players use up-downs as a way to unify the defense

The Lions players/coaches are finding unique ways to bond.

During the first day of training camp, after warm-ups, the Detroit Lions coaches and players participated in a unified exercise, doing 40 up-downs together. And according to coach Dan Campbell, this is something that the team plans to use moving forward as a way of unifying the team.

“That was all AG (defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn) with the up-downs (yesterday),” Campbell said at his morning press conference. “He had said it the night before in the defensive meeting. After my meeting, he goes in there and sets the tone with what they’re doing. He tells them, ‘We’re starting a tradition here, guys. We’re doing 40 of them things’”.

Today, newly acquired defensive tackle Bruce Hector took the field for the first time in a Lions uniform and after warm-ups were done, the 40 up-downs were waiting for him.

The entire defensive team surrounded Hector as he began the exercise his teammates cheered him on. By rep 26, Hector’s enthusiasm was beginning to fade, and a few of his teammates jumped in to join him in the exercise as a way of encouraging him to find more energy. By rep 30, almost the entire defense was doing the exercise in unison. After they reached 40 together, teammates loudly cheered, jumped around Hector, and excitedly welcomed him to the team.

That’s a heck of a way to join a team.

For a look at the entire video, make sure you are following the Lions’ Instagram account.