Columnist for Detroit News and talk-show host on 97.1 the Ticket, M-F 6-8 p.m. I also show up on Fox 2 with insight, predictions and the occasional food prop.
Some states have surged with coronavirus cases, some have steadied. Only one state is down more than 50 percent. One. It's Michigan. Nothing political here, people, not a thing. Just keep it up. Respect and understanding and knowledge. Michigan leading the way, for now.
I am so sad and sorry to pass this along, at the family's request. Jamie Samuelsen, the best damn friend you could ever have, a tremendous broadcaster on
@971theticketxyt
passed away tonight at 48. He was surrounded by his wonderful family, and he went peacefully.
To its credit, ESPN going all in on the officiating crap. Scott Van Pelt pointing out all the mistakes, all in favor of Packers. It really is disgusting. NFL needs to answer tomorrow.
Referee Brad Allen appears incompetent, arrogant, or both. He said Lions lineman Dan Skipper reported as eligible and Decker did not. Both players say the opposite happened. Video evidence indicates Decker did report. Lions in the midst of another NFL fiasco, fall at Dallas 20-19
This is a terrible look for the NHL. And that's not even from a Detroit perspective. The team with the worst record, by far, picks fourth. An unnamed team in the playoffs gets the top pick. Brutal. Dumb. NHL should be embarrassed.
I actually think the NFL is in trouble on this one. Way too many people — not just Lions fans — are so pissed about the officiating, it’s going to be a talking point. Rodgers should accept the win sheepishly. No one stands up for the Lions around the league, but this stinks.
You want to know how tough Jamie Samuelsen was? He was diagnosed with colon cancer 19 months ago, and he never got one damn break. He fought like hell and the cancer wouldn't let up. Not for one minute. But he never wanted people to know until the end. Incredible strength.
Referee Brad Allen somehow didn't see/hear Taylor Decker report as eligible. Supposedly, it's on the player to make it clear he's reporting. But Decker's face was 12 inches from Allen's, and nothing was said/heard??? Looks like an officiating gaffe to me.
Our buddy Jamie is gone and all I can do is cry when I read the heartfelt words from everyone. So let's get that out of the way. Then, if anyone wants to honor him further, say something nice to someone tomorrow. Be kind. Tears now, laughs and smiles again soon. Promise.
NEW RULE: No NFL fan base is allowed to call itself "tortured" or "long-suffering" if it has won more than one playoff game in 65 years. The Lions stand alone in that regard, and you shall recognize it or be smote by the football gods.
On plane to Kansas City with 175 Lions fans, or thereabouts. I’ve learned they’re very excited. And very friendly. And their drink of choice is Jack and Coke.
This is an excellent trade for the Lions. Some people questioned whether they'd get more than one No. 1 for Stafford. They got two, plus a 3, plus a still-young QB in Goff. If you're against it, you're not paying attention.
I can't stop reading all the nice comments from people who knew Jamie, or just listened to him and felt they knew him. He was authentic, a joy to know. Thank you for all the messages. I read them and pass them along to his family, and then I can't see the screen anymore.
Michigan used to have a Jim Tressel problem. And then an Urban Meyer problem. I think Ohio State and Ryan Day might have a Jim Harbaugh problem. Two years in a row, Wolverines win in punishing fashion.
Michigan deserves punishment for actions of a staffer, although no evidence Harbaugh knew of sign-stealing. But Petitti's heavy-handedness was performance art for angry constituents, unbecoming of a commissioner. He made other coaches feel good, but he set a dangerous precedent.
NFL should start suspending these refs. Again, Lions could’ve made a few more plays to put it away. Of course! But I haven’t seen that many blown calls against a team in clutch situations in a while.
If you try to justify what's happening at the Capitol, or what-about it, or tell lies to explain it, you are brainwashed to the point of mental incapacitation. You're as blind and traitorous as the idiots storming the building. Every reasonable American should be appalled.
2 - Jamie was all goodness and kindness, the sharpest wit and the greatest laugh. He did radio for 25 years in Detroit, and he kept adding friends along the way, as he built a fantastic reputation. He'll be forever missed and forever remembered.
I say this with all due respect. Detroit is the only place in NFL America where you can predict the local team to go 7-9 and get accused of being a homer and overly optimistic. Honestly, no other place.
Jamie Samuelsen Night at Comerica Park and it’s beautiful. Thank you to the Tigers and
@971theticketxyt
for helping Christy, Josh and Catherine honor their father. And to all the fans who are part of it.
#Colonoscopies
After Rams beat Lions 28-19, Stafford on FOX broadcast: "Phew. They threw the kitchen sink at us today, onsides kick, fake punts. They played really hard, gotta give it up to Detroit. They're a tough out, always have been, always will be."
Actual exchange when I checked into Minn. hotel.
Clerk (looking at name): "Oh, are you that famous writer?"
Me (blushing): "Well, I mean, uh, are you from Detroit?"
Clerk: "No. That writer who does the Woj bombs."
Me: "That's Adrian Wojnarowski."
Clerk: "Oh, are you related?"
This is my tribute to an impossibly good man and fantastic friend. I wish I could respond to every single comment, but I'm already drowning in tears. Thank you.
Wojo: Jamie Samuelsen brought out all the goodness, in radio and in life via
@detroitnews
Oh my god. Booger McFarland destroying the refs for another penalty for hands to the face on Flowers. Incredible. He’d never been called for one in his career. Two tonight. Black swans everywhere as Lions truly get screwed
[Section 19, Article 3 - Item 1. Non-Snapper]
"If he is not the snapper, no part of his body is permitted to be in the neutral zone at the snap, and his helmet must break a vertical plane that passes through the beltline of the snapper."
I charted this happening 21 times 🤷♂️
NFL should be ashamed. This is not a defense of the Lions. It’s another example of the league defending its golden boy, Aaron Rodgers. He even sounded stunned afterward that they’d been given the game.
Really stupid slapstick stuff by referee Brad Allen. Unless he offers some explanation we haven't heard, he needs to sit down for a while. Apparently, the NFL didn't deliver the memo the Lions are good now, and no longer subject to random ref buffoonery.
Aaron Rodgers’ legacy — 17 seasons, one Super Bowl win. He got what he deserved. From the start of the season, he made it all about him. Well, here it is, all on him. Beyond special teams fiascos, 10 points for GB. I’m sure he’ll enjoy another offseason of being mysterious.
Some national media using Campbell's "bite a kneecap off" line to mock him. They're either taking it out of context, didn't watch the presser, or are humorless numbnuts who think coaches should act like buttoned-down CEOs. It's football, not rocket science, as the Lions well know
Harbaugh called it "assault" by MSU players on two UM players in the tunnel. AD Warde Manuel was furious, and said the authorities (police) are dealing with it, as is Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren, who was here. Ugly, ugly scene.
Northwestern beats Wisconsin 17-7 and now is 5-0. And you CANNOT tell me Jamie isn’t guiding this. He loved his Cats, and I’m loving them now.
#PoweroftheBigHeadedKid
We knew Ohio State's offense was very good, and Haskins can sling it. But never saw this collapse coming from Michigan's defense. Complete failure, in coaching and effort. Harbaugh and Don Brown got manhandled.
As awful as the Spartans are, this is not on Harlon Barnett. This is 100 percent on the stupendously selfish Mel Tucker, who wrecked MSU's season, and maybe a lot more.
Ohhh, those daffy Buckeyes. Ohio State is trying to trademark the word "the," for its frequent usage in "THE Ohio State University," and also for its frequent usage in "We vigorously deny THE charges ..."
Hey Lions fans, Goff does not have to be your QB of the future. He's just an option. As Stafford was. In exchange, you get two No. 1s and a No. 3. Brad Holmes does the job in his first move as new GM.
If I lose followers tonight, I consider it collateral damage in the fight to say something other than "thoughts and prayers," or parrot what someone wants to hear. If I gain followers, I'll be surprised, and mildly hopeful that open-minded, non-hateful discourse isn't quite dead.
Tigers leading first-place Astros 6-0 with Casey Mize dealing. Wings beat first-place Canes 3-1. Yzerman pulls off another great trade. Let the record show, April 12, 2021 was the day a corner was turned in Detroit sports! (I reserve the right to delete this at my discretion)
Miguel Cabrera quietly -- and not surprisingly - having a terrific season. Don't know why some people keep writing off one of the greatest hitters ever. He's 3-for-3 tonight and hitting .308. He and Riley Greene should make a heckuva tandem for the Tigers the next 10 years or so.
Final impressions from UM's 45-23 bashing. Harbaugh was the superior coach by a mile, had his team prepared and made adjustments. Ryan Day figured he'd roll out his finesse style and fling the ball to open receivers. Second impression: CJ Stroud is not who you thought he was.
Cannot overstate how impressive Michigan was, without a hint of fatigue in the second half. The cohesion and confidence that Juwan Howard has instilled is remarkable. Wolverines outscore Badgers 13-2 in final four minutes, win 67-59.
Miguel Cabrera 500 Watch has become a nightly party in Detroit. Huge, lively crowd at Comerica. Tigers are playing well and Miggy has spurred the surge. If you're one of those who didn't think the chase was a big deal or Miggy was done, you should apologize and feel deep shame.
I see a lot of people are offering apologies for misjudging Dan Campbell. If you judged him 3 years ago based on the Lions' hiring history, I get it. If you judged him based solely on his raw, kneecap passion, you're a narrow-minded candyass. Sorry, that's the ruling.
There is an absolute TON of blue here tonight.
I’ve been covering Packers home games now for 30 years and I’ve never seen more of the other team’s colors in the stands at Lambeau than tonight. Ever.
That's a beautiful photo. Jamie never needed to be the star, and he always made everyone around him better. He acted like he didn't, but he damn sure did.
There's no words that fit right now. I'm thankful for the times we shared. I'm heartbroken that there won't be any more. Rest in Peace my friend. Bless your family. We will wrap our arms around them.
Can’t sleep, which is a rarity for me. Listening to Stoney, Tom, Greg and Heather honoring Jamie on the Ticket and I’m alternating between smiles and sadness. The listener tributes are destroying me. I’ll talk tonight at 6 and hope to hold it together as well as these guys are.
This Jordan doc is so good, and I’m assuming so revealing for the kids. Every current NBA superstar should be humiliated. If you perpetrated the MJ-versus-LeBron debate you’re an abject idiot who should be forced to give up your sports credential.
Al Kaline was Mr. Tiger in a sports world where no one stays around long enough to earn a Mr. title of any sort. Kaline earned his with distinction. A man of dignity, a Detroit icon.
Too much sadness today. I'm exiting Twitter for a while with this classic of Jamie at his finest, his funniest, and his healthiest. This is the image that endures.
Jamie Samuelsen's Cooks His Super Bowl Chili Recipe At Bob Wojnowski's H... via
@YouTube
A lot of hysterical hyperbole flying about Big Ten-Michigan mudfight. But of all the exchanges, Petitti made the single dopiest statement, asserting that knowing a team's signs heightens risk of injury. Hmm. Someone alert the NCAA, which has allowed sign-stealing forever.
Hendon Hooker on how he approaches playing behind Jared Goff: "I'll be a sponge, come in and learn every nuance of how to be a pro. Just admire him. He’s been doing a great job of developing every year. I’ll be picking his brain whenever I can." Good answer.
I am so happy for Lions fans, and I know many, many of them. Never obnoxious, always hopeful, forever mocked. Mocked no more. They deserve this so much. And you too
@DanMillerFox2
! A moment generations in the making.
Lions fans are as resilient as the team. They filled the planes to KC, then filled the BBQ joints, then filled up their mugs and fulfilled at least one dream. Must've been 10,000 of them in Arrowhead. Amazed Lions players rushed to the stands to greet them after the win.
Hate and blind loyalty are dangerous tools. Anyone who isn't disturbed by the tunnel attack is deep into some pathetic rationalizing. Or some good drink.
Stafford is a good guy. He's a really good quarterback. The gushing about him on the broadcast is beyond anything I've ever heard. He plays for a much better team, so he looks better. Beyond that, dial it down, please.
Verlander did it right and earned that ring. He pitched brilliantly in final days as a Tiger, enticed a contender to trade for him, and helped Tigers land prime prospects.
#FullProps
Red Wings limo accident is such a tragic/unfair/incomprehensible part of the Wings-Avs story. ESPN doc hitting all the feels. Video of a young, health Vlady uplifting, then so sad.
Lions win it with a bold third-down pass. Campbell true to his nature to the end. Lions beat Packers 20-16 and eliminate Rodgers from the playoff race, and finish with winning record, 9-8. That was a brilliant fourth quarter by the Lions.
Michigan started the sign-stealing scandal, obviously. But Big Ten novice commish Tony Petitti has botched its handling. He allowed it to consume the entire conference by amplifying the grievances of coaches, fans and media partners who probably know little about bylaws./1
Michigan co-offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore reportedly on list for Colorado head coaching job. That’d be a big loss, but when you have a great season, you run risk of losing top assistants. Harbaugh said Moore is “beyond ready” to be a head coach.
Of course Dan Campbell made the wrong call trying a 54-yard FG. We know it, he knows it. But does that 28-24 loss to the Vikings change my view of this Lions team going forward, or Campbell's ability to lead them? Nope. Was always a work in progress. Still is.
Patrick Kane already was an incredible story, and now he's helping turn the Red Wings into one. Absolute goosebumps on Ken Daniels' great call. Wings are getting that look, aren't they? The stars keep aligning when the game's on the line. Five wins in a row.
Unbelievable! The Pistons fell just about as far as they could fall -- 7th pick in the draft. It really is remarkable, Detroit's horrific lottery luck.
Incredible. Oakland with a masterful performance, beats No. 3 seed Kentucky 80-76. Kampe ran a clinic on Calipari, and Jack Gohlke put on a shooting show for the ages, 10-for-20 from 3. The Golden Grizzlies advance with stunner.
I am emerging from the COVID fog, with a full understanding of how nasty it can be. I'm close to being fine, although I can't taste anything yet, which makes me very sad. It was my fault I caught it, letting my guard down after a year of vigilance. Worst symptom, by far: Fatigue
What a night for Oakland University. Kendrick Nunn, a Golden Grizzlie under Greg Kampe, with big first half for Miami Heat. And Mike Brosseau, another Grizzlie, with the HR that eliminates the Yankees and wins it for Tampa Bay. Wow. Oakland — Campus of Champions.
Not sure I've ever seen the Lions dominate a first half like this on the road. Not anywhere. Certainly not at Green Bay. Lions lead 27-3 at the half and have outgained Packers 284-20. First downs, 15-3. Incredible.
Go ahead and follow disgraced Buckeye asst Zach Smith’s rants on twitter, threatening to expose all sorts of stuff. And then remind yourself, Urban Meyer thought this dirtbag (coaching term) was worth protecting for years.
The NFL has sent an alert that the primary draft viewing areas in downtown Detroit are at capacity. Attendance records are being set. Plea to everyone: Be safe and smart!
Michael Fulmer as Tigers closer is an absolute revelation. Great story. Throwing 100 in the 9th. Tigers beat the Royals 7-5 and have won nine of 11. They’re now officially watchable.
Again, those blown calls probably help the Lions in the long run. But that overturn of the Jones' TD was one of the worst replay reviews I've ever seen. NFL should be embarrassed.
Kaepernick throwing at halftime of Michigan spring game. Starts with short throws, then medium routes, now deep over the middle. Good velocity, good accuracy. Seven free-agent and former receivers catching. Timing pretty darn good considering he just met these guys.
So many feels about the
#Lions
!! And wishing this guy could have been here for the pre game show and all the joy... he would have loved every minute 💙
@Lions
Missing you J