Fan-favorite Follett feels for felines
By Philip Zaroo | MLive.com
March 09, 2010, 8:35AM Zack Follett was stoked about becoming a Detroit Lion, but he just
might be taking it a bit too literally.
The Armenian Assassin is known for his intensity and
big hits, but he recently spent time in some interesting company at the
Cat Haven Wild Animal Park near Fresno, Calif.
With his real, live brethren, of course. Here's the video proof from
his Web site.
Follett – a fan favorite since the Lions drafted the linebacker out of Cal in the seventh round last year – is hoping to raise money to help Cat Haven. If you'd like to donate, head over to
ZakarianFollett.com, and click on the "Save the Wildlife" link.
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Lions' Jim Schwartz might regret 'challenging' Zack FollettBy Tom Kowalski
March 14, 2010, 12:46PM
ALLEN PARK -
By now, most Detroit Lions fans have seen the video of linebacker Zack Follett stepping into a lions' cage for charity. It's an amusing video for the highly charged Follett but head coach Jim Schwartz threw some water on his high-wire act."Let's put those lions exactly where they were - there's a reason they're at the Cat Haven,'' Schwartz said. "They used to be lions. Let's not give Zack too much credit for getting in. When he makes the trip to a safari in Africa and gets out in the wild, then maybe he'll prove something.''
Schwartz paused for a quick moment and then said, "I've just thrown the gauntlet down to him and that's probably not a good idea. Knowing him, that's not a good thing to do.''
Another interesting part of the video is that in the beginning of it, Follett is outside the cage and having some fun with a male lion. (Aside to Zack - those are claws, not nails). Anyway, when Follett steps into the cage, that male lion is nowhere to be found. (Apparently, even at Cat Haven, male lions are still 'real' lions.)
Despite his jab at Follett, Schwartz said he finds the linebackers' video blogs amusing - and he's also happy that the off-season workout program begins next week."I think the same things that make him successful as a special teams player create a very interesting video blog,'' Schwartz said. "The good thing is that he's getting ready to get real busy soon so he won't be able to add to video blogs.''