Former Vols QB Hendon Hooker sends loud message to critics while at Lions minicamp
Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker, a third-round selection by the Detroit Lions in the 2023 NFL Draft, has dealt with a lot of criticism since leaving UT for the NFL. Hooker has heard plenty of noise about his age, the up-tempo offense he played in at Tennessee, and concern about the torn ACL he […]
Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker, a third-round selection by the Detroit Lions in the 2023 NFL Draft, has dealt with a lot of criticism since leaving UT for the NFL.
Hooker has heard plenty of noise about his age, the up-tempo offense he played in at Tennessee, and concern about the torn ACL he suffered last November in the Vols' loss to South Carolina.
None of that criticism bothers Hooker, who has made it clear since the end of the 2022 season that he plays with a chip on his shoulder at all times.
Hooker met with reporters on Saturday after Detroit's minicamp and he was asked about some of the criticism he's received during the pre-draft process and since getting drafted.
The Greensboro, NC native offered a confident, but not arrogant, response to the questions from reporters on Saturday.
"It just turns into fuel," said Hooker in response to the criticism. "Turns into a chip on my shoulder. All this 'oh, his leg's hurt' — film doesn't lie. [I was] the SEC offensive player of the year for a reason. It's because of the work I put in and the people around me that helped me get there. So I'm just using that — adding that as fuel to the fire and having a chip on my shoulder and wanting to work. So every day I come in here, I have motivation, regardless of what's going on."
When asked specifically about the questions about his age (Hooker turned 25 in January), the former Vols quarterback made it clear that age doesn't matter when plays have to be made.
"We're playing football…just make plays," said Hooker about his age.
Hooker's confident tone is part of what makes him such a popular player in the locker room. The fact that he always gives credit to the players around him is also a trait that teammates love. Hooker is never looking to take all of the credit, he's always going to share the spotlight. That's because for Hooker, it's all about winning. And he knows that if he delivers wins, the personal glory will come.
