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The Detroit Lions officially signed running back Reggie Bush on Wednesday. Shortly after news of the signing leaked out, a press conference was held at the Lions' facility in Allen Park. Lions head coach Jim Schwartz was the first to speak, and Bush later answered questions about what went into his decision to sign with Detroit. Here are highlights from the presser.
First things first, a photo op:
Reggie Bush is a Lion. twitter.com/cmonarrez/stat…
— Carlos Monarrez (@cmonarrez) March 13, 2013
Schwartz opens by remembering the start of his coaching career with the Lions.
Schwartz opened the press conference talking about first game he ever coached with Lions being against Saints and Bush.
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) March 13, 2013
Clearly, he's glad Bush will be on his team now.
Schwartz: "The thing that was important to us was not just the talents of Reggie Bush but the way they complement" the rest of the offense"
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 13, 2013
Schwartz: "We had a sore need for explosive runs last year" Reggie provides that
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 13, 2013
Schwartz: "The thing that we didn't know is what a good guy he is and what a humble person he is and what a student of the game he is"
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 13, 2013
And now, it's Bush's turn to speak.
Reggie: "It feels like I got drafted all over again"
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 13, 2013
Reggie Bush: To have guys (like) Calvin Johnson and Barry Sanders reach out "it means a lot"
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 13, 2013
Bush said he got 2-3 hours of sleep cause he was "up thinking about all of the possibilities"
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 13, 2013
What possibilities is Bush referring to? The opportunity to join an already high-powered offense.
Bush on playing vs 6-, 7-man boxes Detroit saw last year: "It's a running back's dream."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 13, 2013
Bush: "It just made sense. It felt right from the beginning. .. They didn't have to sell me on it"
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 13, 2013
Bush said last night he thought about: "just the possibilities ... with Calvin & Stafford ... & scoring lots of points. All the time."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 13, 2013
Even though the Lions went 4-12 last season, Bush is joining them with the expectation of this being a winning team.
Bush: "I think I'm at the point in my career now where winning is the most important thing to me." Said he's confident Lions will rebound
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 13, 2013
And now, a nod to the people who helped convince Bush to sign with the Lions.
Bush said Calvin, Stafford and Nate Burleson were three guys who texted him in recent weeks about joining forces
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 13, 2013
Bush says the strong fan base and selling out home games was a big factor in signing with #Lions. Great job, #LionsNation!
— Detroit Lions (@DetroitLionsNFL) March 13, 2013
Bush closed out the presser by saying that he isn't sure what his number will be since 22 is retired. One thing I can guarantee is that when he does pick a number, his jersey will fly off the shelves. There is a lot of excitement surrounding this signing, and the buzz is pretty incredible.
Welcome to Detroit, Reggie.
More:
• Follow all of the Lions' free agency news
• 2013 Detroit Lions free agency tracker
• Track the Lions' pursuit of Reggie Bush