With relentless drive to meet the standard, Lions' rookie Ratledge quickly finding what it takes to succeed at this level
Allen Park — When you remove the helmet and wash away the large, sweat-smeared swaths of eye black that make him look like a coal miner finishing a grueling double shift, Tate Ratledge’s youthful appearance is revealed.
Even Ratledge’s wispy mustache feels like an effort to convince you he’s older than he is. Can you blame him? Offensive linemen are defined by their toughness. They need to look the part.
Look good, play good? Nah. Look mean, play mean. That’s the ticket. The eye black, mustache, shoulder-to-wrist ink on both arms and his trademark mullet — it’s professional aposematism, nature’s visual warnings to predators that you’re dangerous.