
Freddie McGee III, a former EMU football player, gained attention for standing outside the Detroit Lions' practice facility with a sign asking for a tryout. He hopes to fulfill his lifelong dream of playing in the NFL.
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Every other year or so we seem to stumble across a player standing outside the Lions facility looking for a shot. This year that player is ex-EMU and Arena League CB Freddie McGee III. Video: pic.twitter.com/sBHbDHvLmV
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) April 13, 2026 “I’ve had this dream of going to the NFL since I was 5 years old,” he told **FOX 2’s Brandon Hudson**. “I always knew I had what it (took). I just needed that exposure, that opportunity.” The defensive back said he woke up early Monday morning and wanted to go work out, but instead decided to head to Allen Park. He stopped at Walmart to get a poster and some pens. “I would say God put it on my heart that morning, just to go do it,” he said. After getting there around 8:45 a.m. that morning, he said the plan was to wait for a few hours and see if he could catch any staff members entering or leaving the building. His phone ended up dying, so he had no idea that someone had snapped a photo of him and it was circulating online. “Somebody came and was like, ‘Hey man, we just saw you on Twitter. Stay here, don’t go anywhere — whatever you’re doing is working,’” he said. McGee, a homegrown talent from Canton, played football at Salem High School, then at Eastern Michigan, and in the AFL, where he said he made the most of his experience and even earned a Defensive Player of the Year title. “Met a lot of good coaches, good people, and it’s a blessing to be able to do what we did in that league,” he said. McGee said he was grateful for all the support from comments online to people honking as they drove by on Monday. Since then, he’s shown up on all sorts of podcasts and shows, including national programs like the CBS Evening News and Good Morning Football. Freddie McGee III was overlooked out of high school, walked on at Eastern Michigan and fought through the Arena Football League with no NFL offer. Now at 27, he’s standing outside the Detroit Lions’ facility, cleats around his neck, asking for one shot to prove he belongs.
Freddie McGee III is a former EMU football player seeking a tryout with the Detroit Lions, standing outside their practice facility to make his case.
His sign includes his stats and the phrase 'This is grit,' reflecting the Lions' team mantra.
The public has shown support, with many commenting online and honking as they pass by, leading to McGee appearing on various national media platforms.
As of now, there has been no official word from the Lions regarding a response to McGee's request for a tryout.


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— CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil (@CBSEveningNews) April 14, 2026 .@\\FM3\\ makes his case for a shot at the NFL🤞 pic.twitter.com/MaE9k4C1Vn
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) April 15, 2026 No word yet whether the Lions have reached out. Keep your eyes out, I have a feeling this isn’t the end of Freddie’s story. And onto the rest of your notes.
Here are the last 10 players selected 17th overall in the NFL Draft pic.twitter.com/l075ORSFUD
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) April 16, 2026
Homegrown talent pic.twitter.com/qKAoQg5LKs
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) April 16, 2026
.@MoveTheSticks on the 2026 NFL Draft pic.twitter.com/uBUSLzDyS0
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) April 16, 2026 I’ve got a pre-draft Twentyman in the Huddle Podcast for you. I sit down with Lions Director of College Scouting @brianhudspeth; plus @MoveTheSticks on everything 2026 NFL Draft and some good fits for Detroit.
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) April 16, 2026