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IRON RIVER -- A former Detroit Lion is in the Upper Peninsula congratulating students on their participation in a contest.

Defensive lineman Luther Ellis was a first round draft pick in 1995 out of the University of Utah.  He played eight seasons for Detroit, compiling 29 sacks in 134 games, and earned two Pro Bowl berths.

Ellis was in Iron River, saluting Stambaugh Elementary students for winning a contest about the NFL Play 60 minute program about exercising.  Ellis says the Lions are improving,

"I think the Lions have done an excellent job the last few years with the drafts here since they made a transition in management, and I think Martin Mayhew is doing a fantastic job.  I think with Ndamukong Suh, with Nick Fairley coming in, with the D-line that we have, I think our team is set up to do extremely well this year."

Ellis concluded his career with one season in Denver.  Other U.P. winners of the program were elementary students in Munising and Drummond Island.

The current locked-out Lions had a fourth straight day of workouts today at Detroit Country Day High School.  They expect to return June 6 to for another player-organized minicamp.