Hutchinson Tributes Record Setting Performance To Leukemia Patient

DETROIT — After a rough debut against Philadelphia, Michigan's own Aidan Hutchinson showed up and dominated the line of scrimmage for the Detroit Lions in their 36-27 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday at Ford Field.

The former second overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft routinely pressured Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz and racked-up three sacks, setting a franchise record for a rookie defensive end.

His motivation behind the record-setting performance? A 5-year-old local child who was just diagnosed with leukemia.

"This game is dedicated to Hudson, who is a kid who just got diagnosed with leukemia," Hutchinson said after the game. "He's a big Lions fan, he's from my area. I sent him a video before the game. He was cheering me on. I'm just happy to have good games to spread causes to kids like that. Just raise a lot of awareness for things like that."

Hudson Gazsi, 5, was recently diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and was taken to C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor for treatment, ESPN's Eric Woodyard reported.

"We've caught it really early and he has a really good prognosis," his mother, Emily Gazsi told ESPN. "It's a long recovery, it's like two to three years with treatment, and he's 5, so it's been really tough trying to get him to take his meds -- and he has a port in his chest now that he has to deal with."

Before the game, Hutchinson recorded a video in Ford Field for Gazsi.

"Just keep pushing through and keep hanging in there," Hutchinson told Gazsi in the video. "I know you're kind of going through it right now, but hopefully you find a little motivation in watching our game on Sunday and keep rooting for me and put on the little eye black in support of me, and I'm gonna have you on my wrist on my game tape in a couple hours, so it's gonna be a really good time, and I can't wait to meet you, man. Go Lions."