WATCH: Long Valley's Burton Makes Presence Felt in First NFL Game

Michael Burton has finally made it to the NFL, and in 2015’s first preseason game, his presence was felt.

Just ask New York Jets linebacker Quinton Coples, who felt Burton’s strength first hand.

The Long Valley native and Rutgers University graduate was drafted by the Detroit Lions in May and signed to a four-year contract.

While all eyes were on rookie running back Ameer Abdullah, Burton’s blocking strength played a pivotal part in Detroit’s offense Thursday night, which romped Gang Green by a score of 23-3.

On the Lions’ first drive with just over a minute gone in the first quarter, Abdullah ran for a first down, but not before the 6-foot, 232-pound rookie popped Coples – a fourth-year linebacker who stands 6’6” and weighs 290-pounds – in the backfield.

Watch the video below and keep an eye out at the 0:18 mark to see the hometown hero get the season started on the right foot.