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In the weeks before Jim Schwartz's firing, many players were quite vocal about their desire to see him return in 2014. Generally speaking, Schwartz had the support of his players despite the fact that things weren't going well on the field. Some players took the blame and didn't think their poor play should cause Schwartz to lose his job, but that's exactly what happened on Monday.
Jim Schwartz stood in front of entire team, players say people were fighting back tears. #Lions
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) December 30, 2013
As expected, several Detroit Lions players reacted to Schwartz's firing in the locker room or on Twitter on Monday, and the mood ranged from sad to disappointed to even angry in a couple cases.
Nate Burleson on Schwartz: "It's tough. That's the nature of the business."
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) December 30, 2013
This is some total bs...
— BΦB Devin Taylor (@donsaynothin92) December 30, 2013
#Lions Stephen Tulloch on Schwartz firing; It sucks.
— Paula Pasche (@paulapasche) December 30, 2013
Travis Lewis promised a Twitter rant about how much he loved Schwartz.
— Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) December 30, 2013
Matthew Stafford said the news was difficult to hear because Schwartz has done a lot of good things for the Lions organization.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) December 30, 2013
Stafford said he enjoyed playing for Schwartz.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) December 30, 2013
DE Ezekiel Ansah: "This is a decision I don't like. That's where I'll leave it."
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) December 30, 2013
Dominic Raiola + Joe Fauria both said Jim Schwartz had control of the locker room. "He loved us and we loved him back," Fauria said. #Lions
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) December 30, 2013
Thank you Lions fans for a great rookie season. Sad to see Coach Schwartz go, but stick with us, next year will be one for the books!
— Joseph Fauria (@BigJoeFauria) December 30, 2013
Anybody who has ever lost a job knows how much it hurts. Pray for Schwartz and the other coaches that were let go. #peoplearestillpeople
— Andre Fluellen (@afluellen96) December 30, 2013
Other players simply thanked Schwartz for being their coach and giving them an opportunity.
Thank you jim schwartz for giving me an opportunity!!
— Dorin Dickerson (@scorindorin) December 30, 2013
Thanks to Jim Schwartz for giving me an opportunity to continue my career! Forever thankful!
— Glover Quin Jr (@GloverQuin27) December 30, 2013
Rob Sims had perhaps the wisest take of all the players, as he noted that it's all about winning at the end of the day.
#Lions OG Rob Sims: "I saw Mike Holmgren lose his job. It all comes down to winning in a timely manner. That’s just the name of the game."
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) December 30, 2013
