Lions receiver Nate Burleson told USA Today Sports on Wednesday that he and his teammates feel a responsibility to lift the spirits of Detroit, which last month became the largest U.S. city to file for bankruptcy. "A lot of people might say, 'Man, it's tough playing in Detroit, man. You guys went bankrupt. Your city sucks. There's burned-down buildings, schools that are not even open.' But it's a great gift to bear that weight of the city, especially if you can deliver on a product that people want to see," he told USA Today. Once the symbol of American industrial might, Detroit filed for bankruptcy July 18 with its finances ravaged and its neighborhoods hollowed out by a long, slow decline in population and auto manufacturing. In the 1950s, Detroit's population grew to 1.8 million people, many of whom were lured by plentiful, well-paying auto jobs. Today, in the aftermath of the 2009 auto industry meltdown, the population struggles to stay above 700,000. The result is a metropolis where whole neighborhoods are practically deserted and basic services are cut off in places. Source: ESPN
