What Jake Bates Learned From Jason Hanson at Rocket Classic

Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates had an opportunity to play alongside Jason Hanson during a Pro-Am at the 2025 Rocket Classic.

Also playing in the group were Lions specialists Jack Fox and Hogan Hatton.

Bates took the opportunity to share his experiences with the retired kicker and asked Hanson's advice about playing in the league and keys to staying in the league for a lengthy career.

“The way that he treats people, he is just the best dude," Bates said, via the Detroit News. “He is so kind. He puts others first.”

Hanson played his entire NFL career in Detroit, spanning 1992 until 2012.

Bates noted, “He was able to play for so long because he did not lose the joy from playing football."

Detroit's talented kicker had a solid drive off of No. 10, while Hatton and Fox found the trees early after hooking their opening drives.

“For me, I played all right," Bates said. “For a normal golfer, I probably played bad but I had a lot of fun.”