Nowaske’s parents reflect on son’s game-ending sack for Lions
Jim, Trevor and Renee Nowaske are pictured in a lower level of Minnesota’s U.S. Bank Stadium after the Detroit Lions’ 31-29 victory over the Vikings.
As the final intensity-packed seconds of Sunday’s Detroit Lions game unfolded at Minnesota’s U.S. Bank Stadium, Jim and Renee Nowaske watched in amazement from their third-level nose-bleed seats as their son Trevor ended the Vikings’ hopes for a last-play miracle by tackling quarterback Sam Darnold with an emphatic sack.
“We literally lost our minds,” said Renee Nowaske, smiling at the memory. “We jumped up, we were screaming, clapping, crying … it was literally just the most emotional reaction you could imagine.
“When people behind us — both Lions fans and Vikings fans — saw we were wearing ‘Nowaske’ jerseys and the way we reacted, they said, ‘Oh my gosh, it that your son?!’ Everyone was so positive and happy for us.”
The sack — which was the exclamation point on a wild 31-29 Lions victory — was a continuation of what has turned into a Disney movie-esque experience for the Nowaskes, longtime residents of Canton.
“After the game, we got to meet with Trevor for about 15 minutes in the lower level of the stadium before they get on the bus and head to the airport,” Renee Nowaske recounted.
“It was just pure excitement. There was some big-time hugging, big-time smiling, congratulating him and telling him what a great game he played.”
What a journey!
Trevor Nowaske, a 2017 graduate of Salem High School, was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Lions in April of 2023 following a stellar career at Saginaw Valley State University.
After excelling on the Lions practice squad for several weeks, Nowaske was activated for the Dec. 4 game at New Orleans, which Jim and Renee watched from field-level seats.
On Dec. 29, 2023, Nowaske was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals, who placed him on their practice squad after the final day of cuts in August.
There is a 24-hour window when players who don’t make the 53-man roster can be claimed on waivers by other NFL teams.
The Lions snatched Nowaske back from the Cardinals in August, igniting a wave of emotion in the Nowaske home.
“When I got the text from Trevor that he was coming back from Detroit, I cried happy tears,” Renee Nowaske said. “I said, ‘Oh my gosh, he’s coming home!’ It was like the stars aligned.”
Making most of opportunities
After starting the season on the Lions practice squad, Nowaske was elevated to their 53-player active roster prior to the Week 6 47-9 victory over Dallas. In two games on the active roster, he has piled up five tackles and two sacks while playing semi-regularly on defense and full-time on special teams.
“Obviously, I’m super-excited,” said Jim Nowaske. “Trevor has worked his tail off to get to where he is and their coaching staff does an amazing job of putting the players in the right position to maximize their skills.”
The Nowaskes have been touched by the support they’ve received from members of the Canton and Plymouth communities — and from friends and family.
“We’ll be sitting at a game and friends will text us a clip of a play Trevor just made,” Renee said.
“I’ve had guys who I played college football with 40 years ago reach out and congratulate us on Trevor’s journey,” Jim said.
The Nowaskes never miss a game. They made a 10-hour drive to Minneapolis this past weekend, but will fly to games that are played in cities further away.
“Whatever it takes to watch him play, we’ll do it,” Renee said.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
