Page 3 - Wayne Dispatch Pages

An Interview with Wayne resident

Lions Head Equipment Manager Tim O’Neill

By Courtney Conover
As a freelance writer, it is not un-
common to have a personal connec-
tion to a particular subject. But in
my 22-year career, I’ve never had the
opportunity (and privilege) of inter-
viewing someone who resides in my
hometown and works for the Detroit
Lions, whom my husband, Scott
Conover, spent his entire NFL career
playing for as an offensive lineman
from 1991-1997.
With the dawn of yet another NFL
season upon us, there’s no better
time to catch a glimpse inside the life
of Wayne resident and Detroit Lions
head equipment manager, Tim
O’Neill.
Courtney Conover: Right now,
we’re about a week out from the
start of training camp, and to say
you’re busy would be an under-
statement. So, first, thank you for
taking a moment out of your day to
complete this interview…
Tim O’Neill: No problem at all,
my pleasure; I’m glad to do it. Espe-
cially considering our ties…

CC: How many years have you
served as head equipment man-
ager for the Detroit Lions? to Green Bay, did well, and then an if you’re a wide receiver and the ball bars to steer him this way and that,
TO: I’ve been the head equipment opportunity came up here. You just is not coming to you on this play, a nightmare for offensive linemen.
manager for the Detroit Lions for 18 kind of move along. you’re just running down the field. Name something similar that you
seasons. I was an assistant for two Your cleats are involved in every play. do which goes above and beyond
seasons here, previously. I was an as- CC: From footballs to uniforms, You must have the proper footwear. in assisting a player in playing his
sistant to Green Bay [Packers] for it takes a lot of equipment to not From there, we outfit all the soft best game.
seven years prior to coming here. only conduct a game, but to also goods for everyone in the building. TO: He’s right. We do things like
prepare players to compete in the That’s all the practice and game at- running their helmets and shoulder
CC: How did you come to work first place. What exactly does your tire, footwear, workout gear, and pads through an ozone machine.
for the Lions? job as head equipment manager weight room shoes. We do all the Last year, due to COVID—and this
TO: Well, in the equipment world, entail? laundry; we do all the set up—along year—we’ll do it daily. This kills all
one enters in one of two ways: TO: First, it encompasses a wide with the trainers—to manage prac- bacteria. That’s something the play-
Through college sports or from the variety of things—and it isn’t just me. tice. We set up the cones, we have ers don’t even know we do—and
manufacturing side. And I came There are five other people here in guys that work the clock. We want never even see—but at the end of the
from the latter. Way back before I the department, and it’s a group ef- practice to go as smoothly as possi- day, we know we’re doing something
worked at Green Bay, I was working fort. We do everything—from the ble for the players and the coaches. that helps our athletes. For example,
for Douglas Pads & Sports, a custom most important, which is safely and when the team goes out for the sec-
shoulder pad company in Houston, properly outfitting every player and CC: It’s not uncommon for my ond half at Ford Field, one of the
Texas—probably the leading shoul- every athlete on the team. Now, that husband, Scott, to regale me with guys stays behind in the locker
der pad company in the NFL and is mainly helmet, shoulder pads, stories of how the little things a room, and he’ll go to each player’s
among Division I colleges—while and footwear. Concussions have staff member did ended up having locker and pull out his equipment
also assisting the Houston Oilers on been such a hot point in the last 15 a huge, positive impact on his per- bag and set it by his chair. And every-
a volunteer basis in the early 1990s. years, but your shoulders and your formance, like how his equipment thing the player’s not using—a spare
The head guy with the Oilers got the feet are just as important. Some play- manager used carpet tape on his pair of gloves, extra cleats, pre-game
head job in Green Bay, and after a ers are not going to use their helmet shoulder pads. This, as you know, items, etc.—all those items would be
year of being there said, “I’m going to on every play—now, of course, your made it quite difficult for his oppo- put inside the player’s bag. So, say,
create an extra position, and I want husband did; every time that ball nent to grab ahold of his jersey
you to be my guy up here.” So, I went snapped, his helmet was in play. But and use any extra fabric as handle- See Lions, page 5

The Wayne Dispatch · September 2021 · 3