By Sunday 
Pro-Am at the Rocket Classic Becomes a Masterclass in Longevity and Leadership
There are rounds of golf, and then there are moments where you find yourself teeing off alongside greatness. For Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates, the 2025 Rocket Classic Pro-Am offered both — plus a heavy dose of wisdom from a living Lions legend: Jason Hanson.
More Than Just a Round of Golf
When Bates stepped onto the course at Detroit Golf Club, it wasn’t just to swing clubs. He was there alongside punter Jack Fox, long snapper Hogan Hatten, and the ever-humble Hanson — the former Lions kicker whose career spanned an awe-inspiring 21 seasons from 1992 to 2012.
For Bates, this wasn’t just a casual outing. It was a rare chance to pick the brain of one of the greatest to ever lace up cleats in Detroit.
“The way that he treats people, he is just the best dude,” Bates told The Detroit News. “He is so kind. He puts others first.”
Lessons in Longevity
Staying in the NFL is no easy feat, especially at kicker — a position where job security can vanish after a single off day. But Hanson didn’t just survive; he thrived. When asked what kept him in the league so long, Bates summed up one key takeaway:
“He was able to play for so long because he did not lose the joy from playing football.”
That kind of mindset — loving the process, staying humble, treating people well — isn’t just useful in football. It’s a life lesson wrapped in cleats and turf.
Bates’ Day on the Green
As for the actual golf? Well, let’s just say Bates was there for the vibes as much as the game. He landed a solid drive off No. 10, while Fox and Hatten found themselves negotiating with trees.
“For me, I played all right,” Bates laughed. “For a normal golfer, I probably played bad, but I had a lot of fun.”
And sometimes, that’s exactly what these offseason moments are for — a break from the grind, a chance to learn, and a reminder of why you started playing in the first place.
Whether Bates kicks his way to a Hanson-level legacy remains to be seen. But if wisdom, humility, and joy are indicators, he’s teeing off in the right direction.