16 | APRIL 25 • 2024 
J
N

A

nthony Firkser exem-
plified Jewish values 
of perseverance and 
loyalty during his time with the 
Detroit Lions last season.
Firkser, a 29-year-old tight 
end who has a bachelor’s degree 
in applied mathematics from 
Harvard University, joined 
the Lions practice squad last 
October. He was promoted to 
the active roster just before New 
Year’s Day and went back to the 
practice squad within a week. 
Firkser was promoted to the 
active roster again on Jan. 13 — 
the day before the Lions defeat-
ed the Los Angeles Rams in the 
NFC Wild Card Playoffs.
Through it all, he rolled with 
the changes, understanding 
the unpredictable nature of the 

National Football League.
His reward was playing on 
a magical journey that saw the 
Lions reach their first NFC 
Championship Game in 32 
years.
“It was an awesome oppor-
tunity,
” Firkser said. “It was 
a great time to be part of the 
organization and to be in the 
city of Detroit while playing for 
the Lions. The home playoff 
games were like nothing I’ve 
experienced, with the fans, their 
engagement and the excitement 
the whole game. It was really 
a unique opportunity, and I 
wish we could have made it one 
more game.
”
Firkser, who was the Lions’ 
most experienced tight end, 
caught his only pass of the sea-

son, an 8-yard reception from 
quarterback Jared Goff during 
a frenetic fourth quarter come-
back effort in a 34-31 NFC 
Championship Game loss at 
San Francisco.
“I came in to give (rook-
ie tight end Sam) LaPorta a 
breather and ran in there for 
the two-minute drill,
” Firkser 
said. “I felt like I had some 
separation. I turned around; 
the ball was there. I was able to 
grab it (although) I wish I could 
have turned up quicker to get 
into the end zone.
”
Firkser spent most of his 
professional career with the 
Tennessee Titans, from 2018-
2021. He trains during the 
offseason from his home in 
Nashville. Firkser’s best season 

came in 2020, when he caught 
41 passes for 431 yards and a 
touchdown, with the Titans.

OPEN TO OPPORTUNITIES
Now a free agent, Firkser is 
open to any opportunities that 
may come his way, but he’
d 
welcome a return to Detroit, 
where he backed up LaPorta, 
second-year tight end James 
Mitchell and third-year tight 
end Brock Wright.
His next destination will 
largely depend on the NFL 
Draft, free agency and which 
teams have openings at the tight 
end position.
“You want to be playing on 
Sundays, but sometimes, they 
have the roster spot filled,
” 
Firkser said. “Being on the 

 Firkser 
Made an Impact 
 in Detroit Lions’ 
Historic Season

In honor of the NFL Draft in 
Detroit, we profile a Jewish Lion 
from last year’s winning team.

MICHAEL MURRA SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

OUR COMMUNITY

