Darren McCarty was an integral piece of the rise of the Detroit Red Wings from perennial also-ran to multi-time Stanley Cup champions. His grit, leadership and underappreciated skills made McCarty an everlasting fan favorite in Detroit.
McCarty, now an analyst with Woodward Sports, sees the Lions growing in the same path his Red Wings of the 1990s followed to great success. I got a chance to interview McCarty for the Huge Show, along with co-host Eric Zane, and McCarty excitedly spent several minutes gushing about the Lions and their potential to win.
“I see it. I see them building that way,” McCarty said of Dan Campbell’s Lions.
McCarty was quick to credit owner Sheila Hamp for engineering and facilitating the turnaround.
After noting how the team has reached out to work with mending the fences with Hall of Fame wideout Calvin Johnson, McCarty offered up this assessment,
“That’s from the top, from Sheila (Hamp).”
McCarty continued training the ownership,
“I think it’s finally changed … the atmosphere is different.”
He then paid a great compliment to Hamp, one that should resonate with Red Wings fans.
“She sounds like Mr. Ilitch,” referring to the longtime owner of the Wings and Tigers who was known for doing whatever it took to help his teams win. “Things have changed and we don’t just hear it — we see it.”
The full interview with McCarty can be found here for your listening pleasure.
