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Lions Rookie Tate Ratledge Shoots Down Viral Onion “Thanksgiving Off” Story

The flap underscores how satirical posts can be mistaken for real news in fast-moving social shares.

Overview

  • Ratledge said he was sent the Onion piece by “so many people,” describing his phone as blowing up, according to reporter Justin Rogers.
  • He dismissed the premise of the article and remains set to play as Detroit’s starting right guard.
  • A team employee told Ratledge that a caller complained to a local sports radio show as if the story were true.
  • The Onion’s article featured fabricated quotes and a joking offer to play a makeup game during a bye week, signaling its satirical nature.
  • Detroit faces the Giants on Sunday before the traditional Thanksgiving home game against the Packers.