By Sunday 
Detroit fans may remember Eric Ebron as one of the most polarizing first-round picks in Lions history—but over the weekend, the former tight end came back to town not for redemption, but for something much better: giving back.
Ebron was one of several Lions alumni welcomed back to the team’s Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park as part of Calvin Johnson’s “Catching Dreams Weekend,” an event series put on by the Calvin Johnson Jr. Foundation. The goal? Pour wisdom, energy, and a little bit of NFL sauce into a group of local high school players.
And while it wasn’t a comeback game, it was definitely a full-circle moment.
A Weekend of Giving, Not Grudges
Ebron’s time in Detroit wasn’t without criticism—drafted 10th overall in 2014, he flashed moments of brilliance but never quite met the sky-high expectations fans had for him in Honolulu blue. Still, he racked up 186 receptions, over 2,000 yards, and 11 touchdowns during his four seasons in the Motor City. After being released, he went on to have a Pro Bowl season with the Colts (remember those 13 TDs in 2018?), proving his career still had chapters to write.
Now, officially retired since December 2023 and without the shoulder pads, Ebron returned to Allen Park not as a player—but as a mentor.
He shared photos from the event on Instagram, smiling with kids, former teammates, and of course, the man himself—Calvin Johnson. It’s the kind of post-football glow-up every franchise should want to see from its former players.
Lions Alumni Turned Mentors
Ebron wasn’t the only familiar face on hand. Also in attendance were fellow Lions alum Joique Bell, Ryan Broyles, Dominic Raiola, and Johnson’s longtime business partner Gosder Cherilus. Together, they helped lead drills, tell stories, and give young athletes a glimpse at the mindset it takes to reach (and stay in) the NFL.
Calvin Johnson summed it up best:
“We’re just trying to dump into them everything that we’ve learned over the years and just hope they catch a couple of things from us… I think that’ll help them along their whole journey throughout their matriculation in high school.”
That’s not just advice—it’s legacy work.
One Last Route Through Detroit
For Ebron, this appearance wasn’t just about football. It was about closing a chapter on good terms. No pressure, no headlines—just a player returning to where it all began, helping kids dream the way he once did.
From a high draft pick under scrutiny to a Pro Bowler, and now a mentor—Eric Ebron’s Detroit stop might just be his best one yet.