The Squeeze - Aidan Hutchinson: Unbroken

Episode Date: December 18, 2024

This week, the Lautners took The Squeeze to Detroit, Michigan for an exclusive sit-down interview with Aidan Hutchinson, former Michigan Wolverine and current Detroit Lion, widely regarded as one of the NFL’s best defensive players. Aidan opens up about the moment his record-setting season abruptly ended with a devastating leg injury, breaking both his tibia and fibula. He shares the raw emotions of being carted off the field, the challenges of acceptance and recovery, and what his coach Dan Campbell shared with him post-injury. Aidan reflects on the Lions' historic season, his admiration for the team's performance in his absence, and the delicate balance between his drive to return and prioritizing his long-term health. He offers insights into his rehab progress, mental outlook, and the unwavering support of his family throughout his recovery. Aidan also reveals how the experience has reshaped his perspective and shares the mantra that keeps him grounded, along with the inspiration behind his meaningful tattoo.Be sure to follow Aidan https://instagram.com/aidanhutch97 and HOUSE of HUTCH https://instagram.com/thehousehutch/! To email us your questions or share your story, you can reach out to [e-mail] sure to rate, review, and follow the podcast so you don't miss an episode! Plus, follow us on Instagram:The Squeeze:  https://instagram.com/thesqueeze/Tay Lautner: https://instagram.com/taylautner/Taylor Lautner: https://instagram.com/taylorlautner/& TikTok:  https://tiktok.com/@thesqueezepodcastTo learn more from The Lemons Foundation, follow  https://instagram.com/lemonsbytay/ and visit lemonsbytay.comEpisode Sponsors:Put your water to work with Gatorade Hydration Booster. You can use code BOOST20 on Gatorade.com to try it yourself for 20% off.Visit repurpose.com and use code SQUEEZE25 at checkout for 25% off your entire order. You can also find us at Ralph's, Kroger, Whole Foods, and Albertsons. This year, replace it with Repurpose and host with joy for you and the planet.Go to Storyworth.com/squeeze today and save $10 on your first purchase! Discover Drunk Elephant’s C-Luma Hydrabright Serum at Ulta Beauty stores and online at ulta.comGift yourself and your loved ones the best gift of all - Jenni Kayne. Get 15% off your first order when you use code THESQUEEZE at checkout at jennikayne.com.Produced by Dear MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Auto-hue with Sunny Cars feels as if the children Not me's Beasel stramble Sandvorda Actisvercare Verdwine Vacantia can chaotic

But who'sorgalose An auto-hurt Says No No Stress No own-vervict Novelte costs Always Follettive So foothoher sonder

Go to your Reisadvisor Onccuh Ones'E The following podcast is A Dear Media Production All I remember thinking is just

I'm not going to be able to play in the Super Bowl. And two, this season that I was on this defensive player of the year track, everything got ripped away from me and that's all gone. And he is not getting up. Oh, my goodness. This is absolutely horrible. I mean, Aiden Hutchinson is out. Non-quarterbacks that you could least afford to lose.

Aidan Hutchinson is way up there. It's one of the most important players on a Super Bowl contender. I was ripping my gloves off and throwing them because it's like I almost couldn't even be in my own skin because it was just, it felt so messed up. And I didn't know how gruesome it was until I saw the replay after my leg was in half on my teammates' leg. And I'm just like... It means a lot. He leads the National Football League in Sac, been an incredibly productive player.

They carded me off, super emotional crying, took me right to the ambulance. All the realizations of what now life is going to look like were hitting me. If you asked me, who's the one player who represents everything that Dan Campbell's trying to build in Detroit, it's Aidan Hutchinson. I cannot let my mind beat me. F this, F you, your body, you're not going to beat me. Pain, you're not going to beat me. I keep telling all the boys when I see him in the facility, I'm like, you, I just got to get there. And I promise you, I'm going to be back.

When life gives you lemons, what do you do with them? Over here at The Squeeze, we talk about it. Aidan, welcome to the Squeeze. Thanks for having me. Thanks for having me. I was doing some film earlier. I was watching, I was listening to some epis, getting the vibe with the podcast. Okay.

Wow, now I'm nervous all of a sudden. He's like, I know how to dissect him. Yeah, exactly, exactly. Great. Can we start off, because I'm very excited about it with a go-blue, because what the, did you see that coming? Be honest. No, no, I, the lack of faith I had in them was a bit disappointing now that I see it.

But, man, it was, it was everything. We were all there watching it. The documentary cameras were there, and we were all just screaming at the end. In person? No, no, no. They were all in my house. Oh, okay. We had everybody there, and it was just, it was crazy.

I mean, the odds of them even winning that game was just, were you guys watching it, too? I was gone. He was home. I think I watched the first quarter and then I had to leave. Yeah. And I was like, keep me posted. I actually told myself I wasn't going to watch because I didn't want to be disappointed. And I was pretty confident I would be.

Like, I hate to admit that. But I was. But then I was like, okay, let me just put it on for the beginning. And then we, like, took the lead. And then it was 10 zip and I was like, oh, I don't know if I can turn this off now. Right. Right. And so then I just watched the whole thing. I'm with you.

I debated not watching it just because I thought it was going to be a beat down. But hey, here we are. Here we are. They beat Michigan State and Ohio State. I'm a happy man. As a Michigander. We'll take it. Yeah.

So did you, we saw the photos. you posted of Decker and the Amazing Blue. Did you make a bet with him? Because that would have been ballsy. Well, you know, I made a bet, but he actually gave me 20 points just in case Ohio State won. Good. But then Michigan ended up winning and he texted me right away and he was like, yikes. And I sent him the helmet.

I sent him everything. And yeah, it was, he looked pretty pissed off in that picture. It was like he said he was looking fat in the jersey and stuff. Oh, my gosh. And he was feeling bad. And I was like, look, man, we made the bet. You said we're posting on social media. Then he said, please don't post it in feed.

And then I hit him with the infeed and then SportsCenter picked it up. And yeah, it got, I mean, he got a lot of exposure that day. For sure. Maybe he wasn't the best exposure. I feel like he should be thinking you, though. I agree. He probably gains followers. Any publicity is good publicity, right?

Right, right, Rye? Yeah, I don't. I was going to say, if you made that bet, like outright though, that would have been crazy. Yeah, I didn't have, I didn't have that faith. But he gave him the 20 points at Ohio State. You know, we're having a, we're having an off year. But hey, here we are.

Life's good. Yeah. And it's looking up for them too in the future. I know. I'm excited. But I just wanted to open it up saying, thank you for sitting down with us. We love you. We love your family.

We have some family in the room right now if you're watching. So it's our first little live in studio audience. If you hear some giggles or some tears, whatever. But we're just so thankful and honored to have you here. Thanks, man. To talk about everything. Yeah. And we're so grateful to have met you guys.

And however, I don't know how we got, what was the original? How did we even get connected? Did you DM or comment on something? I don't exactly remember. Knowing Taylor, he probably slid into your DMs because he, Wait, I told me out. Did he slide in your DMs or what? No, he only does that with athletes.

Oh, okay. Right. Right. Yeah. No, I saw that and we're like growing up. You know, I saw all this pilot movies and Mia, my sister was like love Taylor Lawtoner. And I was like, he just messaged me. He heard something.

I don't know what's going on. And then from there it kind of got the ball rolling. But no, we're so grateful to admit you guys and you guys have been able to come to a couple of games now. And it's just been, it's been great. And you guys are the best and very just amazing people. And so we're very grateful for our relationship. Appreciate it, man. To update or try and bring up to speed are listeners who are non-football watchers.

We still love you, but this is our friend, Aidan. Aidan played, he was a star player at the University of Michigan. He now plays for the Detroit Lions, the best. team in football. That's right. I admit I'm a bit biased here, but I'm going to just say it. He's also the best player. He's the best defensive player in the league, in my opinion.

So I'll just... You would second that? Yeah. The impact that he has on the game is just like something, sorry, I'm talking like you're not here right now. It's okay. I love me. I need all this for the ego boost.

Okay. So just keep going to you. I'll give it. The impact he has on the game is just extraordinary. So that's who our guest is. Aiden was having a career year, really, I mean, on pace for a record setting year, until the unthinkable happened. So week five, in the third quarter of week five,

Aiden was rushing the quarterback and a freak thing happened and I'll just leave it at he broke his leg. If you are queasy in any sense, don't look the video up because it's not pretty. But that's where we sit here today and I'm, you know, you've experienced setbacks before and you've, you know, you've had comebacks. So I'm so, you know, I'm so excited for you to just prove yourself and everybody and whoever wrong once again, because if there's anybody that can come back from this, the way that I know you're going to, it's absolutely you. So I'm just, in a way, I'm excited for you. But can we go back to that moment, that day? when you when it first happened did you know like immediately what the injury was like what had

happened exactly yeah yeah so going back to that moment it was that game was going great i was in such a flow state everything i feel like was going right um i got a sack they took it away because of a penalty but then i got it and then i was like all right here we go i'm going i'm playing at a high level and then boom, I get this sack and I get another sack and so I'm wrapped around the quarterback. He gets a lot of sacks. Sacks are a good thing for all the non-football listeners.

Can you find quickly what a sack is? You're basically just tackling the quarterback for people that don't. Is that the simple version? Yeah, a sack is in my position what is what you want in every game. You want to accumulate as many sacks hitting that quarterback and as much as you can.

And so this game, I was hitting the quarterback a lot. to break it down. And on this one freak thing, he stepped up. I wrapped around him. I felt my legs almost just whiplash. And then it hits something. And it's like initially I just thought it was a bone pain.

And I just thought I just bruised my leg. So I'm on the ground. Kind of all the breath is taken out of me. And I reach over and I grab my leg. And then I can feel my fibula like sticking out. Not out of the skin, but it was just like, you never. You ever just reached down and you feel something. poking out and you're like, that's not right.

No, I don't know that feeling. No, I didn't either. That was a first. And so literally, right when I reached down and I grabbed my leg, I was like, it's broke. And I was, and guys were all standing above me. And I was kind of, you know, literally in that moment, adrenaline's running. It's like, I can't breathe. I'm in so much pain.

And I'm kind of just yelling it to my teammates just so they can get guys to run out, to get the trainers to run out on the field. And I was in this unbearable pain. where it's like there's a clip of me actually guys were i was ripping my gloves off and throwing them because it's like i almost couldn't even like be in my own skin because it was just it felt i knew it was broken and it felt like so messed up and i didn't know how gruesome it was until i saw the replay after my leg was in half on the on my teammates leg and i'm just like it was wild and so i was in i was laying there and

it was painful and then they said it and then I was good and then right after that is when I feel like it all hit me you know to where it was like like you said I was having this career year it was like everything was going right everything felt I was in this flow state the entire first part of the season and then it just got ripped away from me and all I could think about I remember being they put the air cast on my leg to put me on the stretcher to put me on the cart to go and I all I remember thinking is just one, I'm not going to be able to play in the Super Bowl. And two, this season that I was on this defensive player, the year track, everything got ripped away from me and that's all gone. And I was getting so emotional on the field, not because it hurt, but just because of how upsetting, you know, when you put so much time into something like that,

so much, like all the hours working. And I've had a season, I've had a season ending injury before, but this one was different because we were balling out as a team and I was bawling out. It was like, this is everything that I wanted to do, everything that I wanted to accomplish was right in front of me. I could see it. I could, you know, I could feel it, but it got taken away like that off of a play that was a really good play and guys couldn't believe that I still held on for the sack. So I still got that last sack, which I'm pumped about. But those were kind of the initial moments when, you know, all I remember is just being so upset and having that towel just covered my face because I felt just, I was so emotional and guys were coming up to me.

And it's like, I've, I've been in the position too where guys have gotten hurt and you go up to him and you say, hey, man, it's going to be okay. And then just being on the flip side, you're on your back, you're helpless and guys are just coming up and, you know, shaking your hand and stuff. And you're just like, dude, 10 seconds ago, I was. you know, doing my thing on track to do it. And the next thing you know, it's like, there it goes. It's just, it's all gone. And now it's time to rehab. And it's just like, it takes time. And it took me time to get over that. But those were the initial feelings that were really, it was hard.

Yeah. I can't imagine. I was curious about like the evolution of your thought process. you know, from like being carted off the field, what's going through your mind there? Is it, you know, I'm not going to be able to play in the Super Bowl? Is it a paycheck? Is it I'm not going to be there with my guys? Is it, you know, I'm going to have to spend the next six months every day rehabbing? Like, what's your first thought and then cut to your in the hospital? Right.

I assume you go straight to the hospital from there. And I doubt the doctor had to, you know, look much at you to figure out what the scenario was. But when he delivers that news and exactly what it's going to look like for you moving forward, what is it, are you sad? Are you depressed? Are you angry? What's the overwhelming emotion then? Yeah, you know, I think, so after they carded me off, so those were my initial thoughts, right? Super emotional crying. They carved me off, took me right to the ambulance. They're loaded me up. And that's when my parents were there. And they came to the game.

They came miraculously. They weren't going to come to this game. Last minute, they got an opportunity to come. And they were there. And I was like, honestly, looking at it all in hindsight, it all was like so perfect that they were there because they were with me throughout that whole surgery process in Dallas. And so they, I was getting loaded up into the ambulance and they got there to the ambulance.

My mom was in there with me. from the ambulance ride to the hospital. And I remember, I know it's been hard for you too, because I was just sitting in that ambulance and just all the realizations of what, like, what now life is going to look like were hitting me. And it's like, I'm angry. I'm pissed.

That's really, you know, I wasn't, I could care less about the injury. You know, it was more, I was so mad that I got ripped away from doing the thing that I love and doing it at the highest level. And it's like, that to me, it's still hard to think about, you know, but it's one of those things that

I need to let go of my ego in order to get over it, you know, and just trust that God has a plan for me. And, but in that ambulance, it was, it was, it was, it was a long ride. It was a bumpy ride. They were shooting me with fentanyl and all the stuff just because it was, we're all bumping around and I'm squeezing hands just trying. It's like literally I feel like I was giving birth, but I don't, I don't know what that feels like. But I was like literally jumping up. And I was like, please we got to make it to the hospital. Can we avoid the potholes?

Oh my. Trust me. I was in pain. And then we had 10 minutes left to the hospital. And the woman's like, all right, it's going to get a little bumpy. And I was like, are you shitting me? I wanted to, I was really mad. And that just, you know, I talk about me being angry.

That just added to it. Because I'm like, can we find a road that doesn't have potholes all over it, you know? And so, yeah, it was kind of a funny moment. but I'm just trying to, I was squeezing this lady who was giving me all the drugs. I'm squeezing her hand, just trying to make it, and then I get there. And yeah, still, I really couldn't shed that feeling of losing everything until they found out that it wasn't my ankle. So, you know, where the injury took place, it was a little bit higher. So it was more on my leg.

But had it been lower, that could have been more of a severe injury. injury just because that's when a lot of ligaments get involved in your ankle. So I found out that it was higher and it was just bones. And so I remember my dad coming up to me. He's like, the doctor already told me that you're going to be able to come back for the Super Bowl if they make it. And I'm sitting there. I'm kind of like, I'm still pissed, but I'm like, okay. It's a little crumb of. Yeah, I got a little hope right there. And I'm like, okay, you know what that means? That means I can attack this rehab knowing that I have a goal to get to in February to get back to the Super Bowl.

And so that was very inspiring in that moment. I mean, a little bit. You know, obviously, I'm laying on that table like, I'm about to go into surgery and I'm about to be loaded up on drugs. And, you know, it's just, I already been through that and it's just not a fun experience. But it's something for you to cling on. For sure. And it's something that I know that I'll be able to cling on in the future as well. And so that was that was the base of the emotions.

And then I went off into surgery and they were kind of, you know, that was all successful. They just, they put a rod through my tibia. I have a bionic leg now and, and it's indestructible at this point. Yeah. And so, yeah, and I think I'll be going off in the airport security things now too. Absolutely. You know, so that's another layer of this that I haven't quite, I haven't quite figured, like, I haven't experienced that yet. But those, that was like that night, it was just a weird.

And then, you know, you talk about right after that surgery, I'd spend two days of the hospital. and it was the pain. I mean, I was with my mom and she stayed with me at night. And she, it was the, I've never had, I've broken a bone before, but I've never broken my tibia before. And so you imagine the tibia is a big bone. And so the bone pain that I was dealing with. I was getting sick from the morphine.

And so I couldn't really be, I couldn't really take drugs. And so I was literally just trying to make it to the next minute, the next hour and literally just counting down the time. And then I left two days later. It was those two days. I'll tell you what, I went from the highest functioning athlete, you know, in the NFL to then someone who was just trying to get through pain. And that was that was a monster in and of itself.

But ever since then, I kind of been on an upward trajectory. Yeah. Yeah. I feel like, obviously, you know, we've been watching football forever. But you and your family are the first player in the first. player in the first family that we've really become close with. And when it happened, we were in separate rooms of the house, but we were both watching the game. And Taylor texted me and he was like, did you see that? And did you see Aden? And I remember we both like ran to the TV and we were both

like, I thought I was going to throw up. And like it was the first time, like you see injuries happen all the time. And obviously, you know, it's so, it's so sad for these guys. But this was the first time we were truly like impacted in this and like you know of course we're thinking about you and then I'm thinking about your mom, your sisters. I'm literally thinking about everyone and I have chills like saying it again because we were we were both just crying like just like so heartbroken for for you and just like what the uncertainty of like what happened like what's going to happen next what is this going to look like for you. Especially I mean for you personally because we know how much this game means to you like you know I know some football.

players, I can say that you are by far the most, like, in love. Like, you're not only committed to this game. Like, you're in love with this game. You eat, breathe, sleep football. So just knowing in that moment you had that, you know, stripped away from you was just, you know, it crushed our hearts. Yeah. Yeah.

And it's really like, I feel like in that moment, you just question, you know? Like obviously it's, I could see it so clearly. I could see everything. I could see the future. I could just, you know, I'm very big into manifesting my future. And man, was I doing it? You know, I've been doing it for a while. But this year I was so dialed in.

And I just, and then how the first part of the season went, it was like, I was like, oh, this is going just how I, how it planned in my head. And I can see how that's going to end up at the end of the season. And then it's just like, it happens. And you're like, God. like, God, what is going on? You know what I mean? Like, why did this have to happen?

Because it was so random. And I had Dan Campbell called me a couple days later. He's like, dude, I have never seen an injury like that in that moment. Like, just when your leg was just whipping around and it hit somebody. And then it just went in half. Like, it was such a freak thing, which almost makes me more frustrated. Right. Because I'm like, what I couldn't have done anything different.

You know, it's not like I just plan it. something went wrong in my body. This was just something that it hit and it went. And then next thing you know, I'm, I can't walk for the next, you know, six, seven weeks. And so, yeah, I definitely took, it took a little while for me to, for me to get over that. Yeah. I don't know about you, but when I hear of Gatorade, I instantly think of athletes and that I don't necessarily fall into the category of someone that would need Gatorade or would need that level of hydration with them throughout the day. But I'm wrong. Hydration is for everyone. Hydration does not discriminate. It is for everyone, not just athletes. And when I'm saying hydrated in my

day-to-day life, I don't want a huge amount of sodium. And I like that this Gatorade hydration boost has nearly half the amount compared to liquid IV so I can enjoy this Gatorade Hydration Booster throughout the day to help me stay hydrated. It has electrolyte levels suitable for all day, always on hydration, so you can enjoy this product throughout the day. It's an advanced blend of electrolytes from watermelon, sea salt, and other sodium and potassium salts. This hydration booster contains 30 calories and 5 grams of sugar versus liquid IV, which contains 45 calories and 11 grams of sugar. They are packed with essential vitamins backed by Gatorade Superior Science experts and there's no artificial flavors, sweeteners, or added colors in them, which is always

just an absolute plus. So remember, hydration is for everyone. We all need it. It is so important for our everyday day-to-day lives and you need to start putting your water to work with Gatorade hydration booster. This holiday season, whether you're hosting or you just want to skip out on the dishes, let's keep it stylish and sustainable. Ditch those boring paper plates and plastic cups and replace it with repurpose. Repurpose offers plant-based compostable tableware, like their chic stemless cups that helps you celebrate without the harmful waste or forever chemicals. Better for you and better for the planet.

Repurpose was created to make eco-friendly living stylish and accessible. From compostable plates to their sleek, ultimate entertaining stemless cups, repurpose makes eco-friendly swaps. easy and fun for modern host. All of the products are certified compostable and made without forever chemicals ensuring they're safe for you, your family, and the planet. I love these products because we host a lot. And, you know, sometimes I just really do not feel like doing the dishes. But I don't want to use paper plates because of the waste. And let's be honest, they're not cute. They're not aesthetic.

They're not chic. And I don't really want to be using that with guests that I have over for dinner. But that's where Repurpose comes into play is that they are compostable goods that actually look good. And I want to serve food on them. Celebrates sustainably this holiday season. Visit Repurpose.com and use code squeeze 25 at checkout for 25% off your entire order. That's R-E-P-U-R-P-O-S-E.com.

with code squeeze 25. You can also find them at Ralph's, Proger, Whole Foods, and Albertsons. This year, replace it with repurpose and host with joy for you and in it. If you're spending time with loved ones for the holidays, chances are you're going to hear a lot of stories. The ones you love to hear and the ones you've heard, maybe one too many times. But have you ever wanted to help your loved ones capture those timeless stories? not just for themselves, but for you, your entire family, and future generations.

It can seem daunting to write an entire book of life memories, but Storyworth makes it fun and easy. Here is how it works. Each week, Storyworth emails your loved ones a thought-provoking question that you get to help pick, things like, what's the bravest thing you've ever done, what's the farthest you've ever traveled, or how did you used to get to school every day?

Storyworth makes the writing process a breeze, all your loved one needs to do is respond to that email with a story long or short. It doesn't matter. This is something that I just absolutely love because it just is a way to cherish your loved one's stories, my parents, my grandparents, things that I want to remember and be able to share with my kids and my kids share with their kids one day. Help your family members share and capture these stories this holiday season with Storyworth.

Go to storyworth. squeeze today and save $10 on your first purchase. That's S-T-O-R-Y-W-O-R-T-H.com slash squeeze to save $10 on your first purchase, storyworth.com slash squeeze. I'm curious throughout this, I feel like you've had this kind of pendulum swing of what your life looks like, you know, practice, all these things like that goes into being an NFL player to now this swing of you can't even walk and you can't even rehab yet. just sitting at home resting and that's really all you can do. Throughout this swing,

has there been, or can you pinpoint kind of like the lowest point and how you kind of have gotten out of that? I mean, I would say the lowest point. I know I already talked about it already was probably just being at the hospital. I've never stayed at a hospital before. And it's funny, I've visited a lot of kids in the hospital because that's kind of, you know, a passion of mine is, in terms of charity, is going to visit kids who are big fans of me. And so I've never stayed in the hospital before, but I visited all these kids who do stay in hospitals all the time. And I have a newfound respect for the kids that I hear have been in the hospital for a month. Because it's like you got, when I was there for two days, I had nurses coming in every three hours to do, to take my vitals to, and then the next, after that, two hours later, someone will come.

I'm going to give me more drugs. And so it's like the amount of just I couldn't sleep because people were coming in every now and that. It's just it was so I couldn't stand it that now I feel like when I see those kids in the hospital, I'm like, I just, you know, I had sympathy. But when you experience it a little bit yourself in terms of being in that hospital and the beeping and the this and you can't escape anything. And I'm like, that to me was like just a very humbling moment.

and it definitely grew my own empathy for what these kids go through and stuff. So that for me was a low. And then being at home, I have a great support system, as you all know, with my family. And I live really close to them. So they were always there supporting me, which was awesome. But it's just, it was just hard, you know, because this injury with what I now realize is all about pain management. Like how much pain can you go through? and now I'm in the rehab process where it's like how much can I push this because I know it's I know the

bone's good but you's got to push through pain so that's why another layer of this injury is why it's so difficult is because it you have to you're challenged every day by just pain and how much pain and it's literally you just I just you got to fight you know and that's that's that's all I that's literally every day it's just fighting through pain obviously it gets less and less over time but it's that's just another layer of it, atop of losing everything that I was striving for this year, that just the pain of this bone is just, it's frustrating at times, to say the least.

I know you had, yeah. Was there ever, like, towards the beginning, this feeling of loneliness? I know you have like your support system, but just like the way life looked like, you know, you're normally with your brothers every day. and now you're just like sitting on a couch. Right.

Did you ever like feel lonely in this? So I would say I would say I wasn't lonely. I would say I actually craved some alone time when I got it. You know, because I had so many people around me all the time. Yeah. But I think the biggest feeling that I had, especially early, was I feel like I was numb to everything because, you know, I didn't really, you know, after that initial first day,

I was in so much pain that I was just trying to get through every day, just survive. And so I was numb to the entire situation because of the amount of pain I was in. And so I remember telling everybody this too is like, everybody's like, Aden, are you sad? Like you haven't like really cried about this. Like since the day, I'm like, honestly, I'm just trying to get through these days because I, it's just these early stages of recovery are just so horrible that I don't even care. I couldn't even fathom stepping out of football field or even missing football because of how much pain I'm in. I'm sure you had so many people around you. Yeah.

Yeah. And I was also, I started going to rehab like three days after because I could start weight bearing the day after surgery. So I was in rehab right away. Wow. And so I wasn't a lot of weight bearing. It was like very light. But like it was. So I was in the building seeing my teammates and stuff.

And they were awesome. But that also brought another challenge to where when you kind of go through something like that, people are then like come up to you and they're like, they like treat you different. They're like, hey, man, are you okay? Like, are you all right? And I'm like, obviously at first, you're like, you're down in the dumps too. But after a little bit, it's like being in that scenario, you're like, dude, I'm good. Okay?

Like, I need you guys to just shut up, treat me like I was, you know? Right. And so I feel like over the course of this recovery, I've learned a lot of things about dealing with this kind of adversity and what you go through and the things people don't think about. Because even me, when I was on the flip side, I always think myself on the flip side. When I was on the flip side and I was visiting guys, I'd be like, hey, guys, like, hey, dude, you're all right. Like, I know you must be, you know, and that's probably what you didn't want to hear in that moment, which I now can look back and understand.

So I feel like I've grown a lot of understanding and a lot of different aspects throughout this entire injury. So it's been interesting. Yeah. On this podcast, we talk a lot about grief because I feel like it is a universal thing that everyone has felt in their life. Most of the time we talk about it, you know, it's a loss of a human, but this is a loss of a love, you know, for you and your love of football. And, you know, there's stages of grief, of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. And as you've talked about, you've been through grief, denial, anger, bargaining, depression. And I'm curious where you're at with acceptance of what happened.

Yeah. So I think that will kind of segue right into, you know, so I was there. I was about 10 days, 10 or 11 days through rehab. And, you know, I kind of told you I was a little bit numb and I was feeling sorry for myself. kind of feeling like a victim because like I said, people are coming up to me, be like, hey, man, like, oh, you are all right? Like, and so it's like, then you kind of start to believe people around you. Like, yeah, like I am really not all right, you know?

Yeah. And I think it's okay to feel like that. But I think as a person, I'm a person who is very, you know, I can compartmentalize a lot. And I push forward. I keep pushing and keep pushing. And so I was kind of stuck in this point where I was. I was grieving a little bit, which is okay. But after about that 10 or 11 day mark, I was, I remember, I'll never forget, I was just, I was walking upstairs.

I was frustrated. I was feeling sorry for myself. And I kind of just started crying because I was like feeling so frustrated just with my leg. I was feeling frustrated with the situation. Everything was just kept stacking up and I hadn't really like, dealt, I hadn't really like looked at it in the right, in the right, in the right, in the right mindset. And then I was laying there and I was like the word unbroken popped in my head. And I was like, hence the shirt right here as I'm wearing that. For the first time somehow.

And now it's become a mantra. But in that moment, that word kind of popped to my head. And I was like, I cannot let my mind beat me. I feel like my mind was getting so overwhelmed by being a victim and the grief and everything. And I literally had to flip right there. And I was like, F that. you're not going to beat me. I kind of made it to a competition in my own mind above like like like like, like, F you. I'm going to, I'm getting over this thing. I'm going to be back like I'm going to be back by Super Bowl. I don't care what it takes. I'm going to push through all this pain. And I was sitting there just kind of crying and letting it out. And it was almost like it was. And I remember after I was like, oh, God, I feel good. You know, like this is what I need. Like it's like I had no fight for so long. It felt like a week and a half of. just, you know, taking body blows and people are, you know, feeling sorry for me. I'm feeling

sorry for me. And then I had this moment where I could like breathe again. And, and, uh, it was very liberating just from my mind. And then I went in the next day and I was in pain like I always was, but I had a mentality of F this, F you, your body, you're not going to beat me. Pain, you're not going to beat me. I'm going to keep pushing through. I'm going to find a way to get into my hyperbaric chamber alone. I'm going to find a way to go downstairs, go up. Because that was, that was a hard part too is I was dreading stairs every day. Because I was like, holy, like these stairs, like, I'll tell you what, you know, you just get out of surgery and you're trying to climb stairs. And it's, it takes the life out of you. And so I was thinking about this, I was like, these damn stairs are going to get the best to me, you know?

Yeah. And so I was, and so that next day, I was like, I was hell bent on doing all the recovery I could, getting trying to do everything i could to get back as soon as i can and that flip in mindset for me was pivotal and i think from that moment on life got a lot easier because then i had something to where i could fight in my head you know because naturally i feel like human nature is you know you naturally just when something like this happens you are going to grieve you are going to go through it a little bit but at some point like enough's enough and that's that's kind of where i where i flip it. And then from that moment on, I was like, you know, we have our house of Hutch brand and we have a lot of motivational mantras. And I was talking to my mom the next morning. And I was like, this has got to be a shirt or something. This got to be another mantra of your unbroken, like, no matter what it is. So that's another silver lining of this whole thing is it's giving me a dimension of dealing with this adversity and, and giving me another mantra to cling on to. And it's just, it's very cool. just this whole road to recovery and the different like insights it's given me on different things.

Yeah, I imagine. Yeah. How I'm curious about the tension you wrestle with watching the Detroit Lions now having, you know, the best start in franchise history. and, you know, the team is going on and, you know, you're not on that field and you're watching the guys do that and they're doing it without you. Do you struggle it all with any feelings of, you know, envy or jealousy or is it just pure joy watching, watching that happen without you? You know, it's a, I kind of get both emotions, you know, because I sit there and, you know, you know, I didn't know how it was going to be without me, right? But I was sitting there.

I was like, okay, if they win, like, or I'll start. I said if they lose, then, you know, God, I got a big, I got to get back out there fast. Like, I feel bad. I feel like I'm kind of letting the boys down a little bit. But if they're winning, then I'm like, do they even really need me? You know, so you kind of get these, these different things, these different thoughts that pop into your head. And what got me fired up is I've been playing the last three years every single single snap of every single game. And I think this has showed the boys that they can do it without me. And they

could almost like, that takes a little bit off my shoulders when I come back. And I know that, hey, look, these guys were winning without me and they could do it. And so it's almost like takes some pressure off. You know, I've always embraced the pressure. But when I can see them do it, I think it's, it just gets me fired up because I know it builds my trust. in them. And I think it's just good, it's good for everybody. And they see that they can do it without me. And so it builds their own confidence. And so I think it's, it's definitely, it was hard at first, but I was like, this is a good thing. Yeah. Especially for when I get back. Yeah. That makes sense. That makes sense. So where are you at now in this journey? Are you,

are you back with the team? Like, where are you at in your rehab? Yeah, so I am I am seven and a half weeks out from surgery now. And I became fully weight-bearing at that six-week mark, which was amazing news. I got off two crutches. I'm on kind of one right now. I can walk without it. But it's that was huge for me. That six-week mark, it was like, God, I was going to cry when I could walk again.

You know, because I was just so excited to be independent because you lose that through all this and you slowly start to gain these these independent things back and so yeah I'm at that mark and I'm just I'm on track for for my goal of returning for the Super Bowl and so I keep telling all the boys when I see him in the in the facility I'm like you I just got to get there and I promise you I'm going to be back you know and I tell people that my mom was like I remember we were talking yesterday she's like but Aiden like what if you don't get back like like what if you can I was like there's no other way like we have a documentary out that we're not out, but that we're making right now. I'm like, mom, I can see it right now.

Like, I already envisioned the opening scene of the documentary and what it's going to be and how I'll be back for the Super Bowl and how it's going to be this amazing story and very inspiring for people. And so there's no other way. And that's how I see it. Yeah. Yeah. It's not shocking to me. Many of you already know and love the brand drunk elephant. I've been using drunk elephant for what feels like here's a very long time. And I'm really excited because they just launched their C-Luma Hydrobyte serum, which is a gentle 10% hydrating vitamin C serum that brightens, hydrates, improves clarity, and reduces blemishes. Something that my skin struggles with. I mean, definitely struggles with a couple things. But my skincare concerns are really just, I have redness

post-acne. I feel like my skin just this post-blemish, marks are so hard to diminish. I am so prone to them. I always have been. And this vitamin C serum has truly helped minimize those marks. And I just feel like my skin has become brighter and honestly more hydrated since using it. In the past, I've struggled with finding a vitamin C serum that works for my skin, that it feels good and does the job because I do have sense of skin. And sometimes vitamin C serums on the market just have destroyed my skin. And the C-Luma hydrobyte serum is safe for sensitive skin. And you can use it day and night, which I feel like is just a testament to how safe this product is for sensitive skin. And that's something that I

definitely look for in products, ones that are, you know, safe for my skin for sensitive skin, but also get the job done because let's be real. That's very important. C-Luma Hydroprite serum is a unique 10% vitamin C serum that brightens, clarifies, and hydrate skin revealing a noticeably more even in luminous complexion. C-Luma is ideal for those who are sensitive to traditional vitamin C serums and may be used both day and night. You can discover Drunk Elephant C-Lum Hydrobyte serum at Alta Beauty stores and online at Ulta. The holiday season is here, which means we're focused on all things festive and gifting. And Jenny Kane is our go-to destination for the very best of the holiday season.

With their iconic gift guide leading the way, Jenny Kane makes it effortless to check off everyone on your list. You are self-included. Everything Jenny Kane makes is pure luxury, from their cashmere knits and essential outwear to their homeware pieces like their obsession-worthy candles. There's no better place to get into a seasonal spirit than with Jenny Kane. And for a limited time, our listeners can get 15% off their first order. You can go to Jenny Kane.com and use coat the squeeze to get 15% off.

Do you have holiday travel on the mind? Level up your on-the-go style with Jenny Kane's ultra-versatile knits like cashmere half-sip. It's a perfect piece to take anywhere. Maybe you're eyeing some coats to look no further than the Caroline coat and a prez coat. Both are a must for this season and adding drama and coziness to your looks. We can't forget about Jenny Kane's home essentials like their giftable candles and splurge-worthy decor. Give yourself and your loved ones the best gift of all, Jenny Kane.

And our listeners can get 15% off your first order when you use code the squeeze at checkout. That's 15% off your order at J-E-N-N-I-K-A-Y-N-N-E dot com. promo coat to squeeze, like getting dressed be one less thing you have to worry about. How do you, I mean, I guess there's probably the answer to this is there's no other way, but I was going to say, how do you balance that like wanting to be back to everything you can to get out there so badly? And also, you know, you have a long career ahead of you, like balancing what the best option is for the longevity. For sure, for sure. And I think that that answer will come in time, you know, when that time presents itself. But I'll tell you what, I mean, some days,

you know, when I'm not, when the leg's not feeling that great, I'm like, God, am I going to be back? Am I going to make it? But then like, you got to just fight it. Like, okay, I can't even, that can't even be a thought in my brain. And so I flip it somehow, the next day I'm feeling better. And I'm like, I'm on track, baby. Let's go. You know, so it's just a little bit of this balancing act, like you said, of like trying to, you know, navigate the pain. And and navigate my mind and staying on track. So it's a little tough sometimes, but I keep it back there.

I got the foundation of it back there, so it's not going anywhere. Yeah. Okay, you've said it a few times, but we've all seen the reports. People, you know, said almost immediately that the goal was, and it's possible for you to be back for the Super Bowl,

is that, so that is your goal. And you do think that is possible. Or are you just taking it one day at a time? Well, you know, I think I take it one day at a time. But clinging onto that, even if they make it or not, or if we make it or not with the lions, like that is something that I cling on to every day to push me through rehab and push me to make me stronger and faster and get this leg back as fast as possible. So that's the goal.

And I know I know I'm going to be back. I think, like I said, how I see it, I just, there's no other option because I already know when I'm back in that Super Bowl, the amount of people that I'll inspire is going to just outweigh anything. And so that to me, it's like there's no other way. That's it. You know, that's how it's got to be. Yeah. To be excited. How impressed are you with the way the guys have stepped up in your absence?

Like that was shocked. Like, I'll be honest. Like when you went down, I was like, this ain't going to be good. And I just spiral. The amount of the amount of different individuals that have stepped up to fill, you know, try to. But they've done a pretty good job to fill that massive void. Yeah. You impressed with that?

Oh, yeah. I mean, it's not even, you know, it's not even just like an individual performance here and there. I mean, the defense is playing at a high level, you know, and they are like, shut like holding teams to under 10 points in most of these past games that I've been out of so it's like and I think that's a that's a testament to our defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn who's just you know I was able to grow a great relationship with him over these past few years and like I'm so I'm just his biggest fan I'm everyone's biggest fan when I'm watching that game but seeing the defense play well I know how fired up that gets him in our defensive meetings and um yeah I mean it's been dominant so

I mean, it's, I told the boys, I told Kirby and Beebe and all the secondary guys, keep holding it down. So when I get back, give me a little bit more time. Yeah. For all the non-football listeners out there, if other guys do their jobs better or at a high level, then that makes my job easier. And so the guys around me started really going crazy. And so I told them, you better keep this up when I get back, you know,

because I want to benefit from this too. Where was all this when I was? Oh, I already made a couple jokes to BB. I was like, BB, where are you been, man? Like, like, when I'm in, you know, we were quiet. And then I'm out and you just explode on the scene. Right. Right.

I think it was right after I got hurt. He got like one or two interceptions. I'm like, bro, what are you doing? Yeah. Yeah. It's funny. I mean, I give those guys a hard time, but it's all love at the end of the day, though. Yeah.

What's your confidence level? because I wish we could sit here and say that you're the only massive loss this defense has taken on, but that's not the case. There's been a lot of other big losses on the defense side of the ball. Where's you, how do you think the defense is going to be able to hold up and do you think it's enough to, you know, get through? The culture that we have and the coaches, it's like no matter who we have in there, guys are going to be playing as hard as they can, and they're going to be playing with the grit,

they're going to be playing with an intensity and that is just higher than other teams, because that's how we roll, you know? And so I'm pretty confident in them. I'm pretty confident in the defense, but yeah, no, I was sitting there a couple days ago getting rehab and Anzolone, Derek Barnes. I mean, all these guys who we're sitting there in August during camp

and we're like, it's going to be a great year. We're going to kill it. And now we're all like Derek's got a brace on. Alex is like has, has a big scarred going down his forehead. I'm hobbling on a crutch and I'm like, look at us, boys, huh? Like, look at like, like, who would have thought in August that we'd be at this point in the training room? We're all just like, oh, here we are, you know? And so it was.

At least you got some friends. I know. I'll tell you what. It makes it better when I'm in that. I mean, obviously I don't want anyone getting hurt. But I'm laying there getting some heat on my leg. and I got my brothers around me, you know, suffering with me. It's like unbroken brother.

Yeah, exactly. Literally. I feel like it's really shown like the true mentality of this line's team because there's just there's been so many injuries. But somehow week after week, it just like, it feels like the game is elevated. And we're like, what is going on right now? Yeah. And that's a testament to I feel like Dan and the coaches.

And I'll tell you what, Dan has a, yeah, here he is. Dan. He has a way. Coach everyone. He's got a way of inspiring and a way of motivating even when life is all sunshine and rainbows for the lions right now. I'll tell you what, he still finds a way to walk in that team meeting and just kind of, you know, you can hear a pin drop because you're kind of scared of what he's about to say. You know, he just, the way he kind of commands that room and keeps guys humble and keeps guys hungry, I think he does a better job than anyone. Yeah, for sure.

I'm going to talk about your family a little bit. Oh, God, not them. Not them. They're hiding in the corner. I'd love to know how much their support and them being there has meant to you throughout this process. Because I know you guys are such a strong unit as a whole, before all of this. What has their support meant to you throughout this time? they're they're staring at me right now hoping to deliver hoping for me to deliver the perfect

cancer right i see my dad's eyeball like peeking out right oh no i feel like uh i mean it's it's crazy i mean i one i live close to them so i mean i've always had someone staying over my house just to make sure and um just the support i mean them being there my parents were there for me at the time of surgery, I get home and it's like right when I get home, my sisters come over, everybody comes over, they're just there for me. They're throwing little parties for me. They just threw a Christmas tree decorating party. So everybody, because I had a new tree and no, no ornaments. People brought me their own ornaments that meant just, you know, in their own way, you know, whatever it was, whatever story it connected to or something. So it's stuff like that.

And even little things, even the stuff that, you know, on the day, ones where, you know, I don't even know if I should say this, but we're, you know, putting the poultice all over my leg and putting a poultice is like an Eastern medicine. It's like a more of like comfy where it's good for bone healing. So we have this brown ointment all over my leg and they're wrapping it up. And these are like the dog days of rehab where you're in like week two and you're just, I'm just laying there like in pain and my mom's got dirt all over her hands like trying to like like heal my leg and stuff and then and uh because i'm literally i'm willing to do whatever it takes to get back and um some people might think it's a little wacky but like like i'm a i'm a believer in eastern

medicine and and doing things the natural way and so um yeah i mean it's it's little things like that too that like mean a lot more than i think they think it means because you know i'm laying there and it's just i can't do much they're giving me food they're giving me this and i'm like guys i'm so sorry i'm putting you through this i'm like I don't like I really feel bad because I'm like I wish I could be doing something right now but I literally it's just too much pain and I just can't get up and I can't do this. And so yeah, I think those little things just mean more than you know than they think. Yeah. Okay. Last couple of questions. We are a mental health podcast.

I love to dive into some of those fun questions. But I know this is something that your mom and I have bonded over is mantras and affirmation and all that fun stuff. I'm curious if there's one mantra or affirmation that stands out to you that is like your biggest one. I'd say the biggest one for our House of Hutch brand. I got a tattooed right here. So my first tattoo is, is breathing God. And it's something that, let's see if I'm, it's probably too bright for the camera to even pick up. But it's something that it reminds me every day.

You know, I'm driving in the car. I'll be looking at it and just, I remember to just, it's everything's bigger than me. And if I just, if I just breathing God and I breathe in that white light and let go of my own ego and trust God's plan, it's all going to work out. You know, and that, to start my day with that every day when I'm driving into work or whatever, it's like that, it just kind of like, it gives you a little kind of a groundwork and it gets you rooted in your day. and how you need to start. And so that was our starting mantra for our brand. And now we've come out with an array of different mantras since then. But that one is like the main one.

One that will always mean a lot to me. It's something that my mom kind of told us growing up. And it's something that whenever I'd go into a football game or a big moment growing up, it's like show has told us to breathe in God, let go of your ego. You let go of anything around you that you can't control. and you just trust that God's going to take over your body and just you're going to do what you have to do. And that's that. And I feel like when you have that mentality, there are no regrets, you know, because you put all your faith in God and you put all your faith in him to just, you know, whatever happens, I'm good with.

You know, I've prepared. I've, you know, and I'm doing this the right way and I'm breathing in you. So you take over and I'm good. And then that kind of gives me the just a little bit of like resolution. at the end of the day. You touched on it earlier and you have you have the jug right there, but you're here of the week thing. For our listeners that haven't, you know, seen what you do, can you explain a little bit about that and where that started? Yeah. Yeah. So within our brand, House of Hutch, it's kind of this motivational marketplace where we're trying to just share people

a little bit with my family and our lifestyle and how we, you know, how we do things and, you know, just touching on spirituality, spiritual mantras. It's kind of a broad spectrum of things, but mainly it's a lifestyle. And so within that, I've always had a passion for just kids in the hospital who have these life-threatening illnesses or whatever it may be. I'll never forget. I think I was in high school or college that I was sitting there. I was watching the Jimmy V. Foundation.

I was sitting there watching a commercial and it's one of those ones that like is a tearjerker and then I started crying on the couch and this was like super random and then I went and I was in high school and I donated $50 to the Jimmy V Foundation and I feel like from that moment I was like I was like

I think this is something that I'm passionate about you know because I never quite knew where I would fall in the in like the philanthropic route of where I don't I never knew what I was what I wanted to kind of do. And I saw that and I was like, that's what I want to do. Like being an athlete and being able to walk into a room and you put a smile on that kid's face, you know, who's been going through hell in that hospital. And so that was always inspiring for me.

Now we flash forward. We now have all our hutch heroes, which are kids that we highlight every game day. I walk in with a jug. We write down their own favorite mantra that's getting them through their day or whatever it may be. And we pretty much raise money for them to go and use however they want. Some of these kids are different in how severe their situation is. But so usually those kids just go out and they get to spend their, like, you know, you give the kids a couple thousand dollars and it's like they're they're millionaires. Like I remember when I got 20 bucks as a kid, I thought I was rich, you know? And so it's like it's these kids, kids get that and they're they get just gets them so fired up and obviously it's starting to grow now

to where you know we're doing Christmas lists and we're we're giving kids you know we ask for their Christmas lists and we we have all this money from from the the merch that we sell and then we you know we buy all their gifts with that and so it's like it's all kind of goes hand in hand and it's very inspiring for us my mom and my sister always go with me maybe a couple others here and there to the hospital. And so we get to video these kids and they get to, you know, they get to like have their their time in the spotlight. And it's like, I think that's very special for them. And actually, after my injury, too, all the kids or a lot of the kids who I had recently met with sent me a video of all like, let's go, hutch. Like you're, you're good. You got this. And it was like,

it's an insane video. I think like Sports Center picked it up, NFL picked up all these different things. it, right? Oh, yeah. Everybody posted it. It's like that right there, it's like, you know, I mean, a lot of these kids are still going through it, you know, and they're like still like, like, I broke a couple bones. Right. You know, like, I'm fine. I'm good.

And, and these kids are, a lot of them are on the upside of things and looking good. But still, it's like, like, it was very inspiring to like for them to just be thinking about you. be thinking about me. Yeah. And just like, I'm like, like, dude, I broke a couple bones and these kids are just, I don't know. It's all, it was all like such a great experience and seeing that for the first time. You're like, wow, I think I have made an impact on these kids, you know, which is, which is at the end of the day, what you want. You want to be able to inspire these kids and make them feel better about themselves and make them just do all the, any positive impact that I can is what I strive.

And getting that video, it was like, it was a. I can't imagine how touching that was. Yeah. Yeah. Well, we love you. We love your family. We love everything you guys stand for as humans. I just, you know, I love your outlook on everything.

And I know that everything happens for a reason. And I know that God's got your back. And I know your comeback is going to be unbelievable. So we will be thinking about you and praying for you. And I know you're going to come back stronger than ever. Thanks so much. Thanks for having me on, guys. I was really, I was fired up when you all asked me because I'm like, this is, this is going to be cool to talk about my story and have a little platform.

So I appreciate you guys for having me on. Appreciate it. Let's go watch the Lions, Lynn. Let's go watch the Lions. Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.