ALLEN PARK, Mich. – Athletes watch other athletes all the time. They pay attention to other sports and grew up idolizing players throughout athletics -- as evidenced by Darius Slay meeting Kobe Bryant on Sunday.

But what if the Detroit Lions could trade places with any athlete, regardless of sport or era? Who would they pick? Why?

This was posed to them this week for the Lions Question of the Week.

WR Golden Tate: "Probably would have to be Michael Jordan. Just the era he grew up in, and he changed the game. Not only did he change the game, but he’s known as one of the best players to ever play the game, arguably the best player to play the game. He chased perfection every single day. I was reading one of his quotes today, that I think he missed over 9,000 shots and 26 times they gave me the ball and I missed. His failures are why he’s known as the best. That, to me, sticks out. Growing up in the '80s and the '90s, man, with the shorts and him creating his own shoe, it’s kinda cool to me."

RB Ameer Abdullah: "Derek Jeter. He was king of New York, man. King of New York. He’s lived a really good life. Really good career. Had a really good career, on and off the field."

QB Matthew Stafford: "Babe Ruth. He dominated and he seemed like he had a good time."

WR Calvin Johnson: "Ken Griffey Jr. Baseball player. My favorite player growing up."

Michael Jordan, not surprisingly, was named by multiple Lions as the athlete they'd trade places with. Mike Blake/Reuters

TE Eric Ebron: "Michael Jordan. Just his story, man. Not even the fact that he was great, but how he became great. That story, you talk to any athlete, every athlete has a unique story. My story is unique; everyone’s story is unique. But everybody knows Michael Jordan’s story, and it’s just different, man. From being denied in high school to becoming the best in the universe at North Carolina and the best athlete ever to play any sport. I’d be him."

CB Darius Slay: "LeBron. All-time, I’d switch with LeBron. He just got a $500 million Nike deal. That’s why I need to be switching with him. He just got $500 million off Nike. I need to switch with him. Right now. Right now."

DE Devin Taylor: "In history? Dr. J [Julius Erving]. For some reason, he was kind of like the epitome of a person when you thought basketball. Like that was the first person that came to mind. Especially back in the day at that time, too, when literally I think during his time, dunking had just gotten legalized and everything."

K Matt Prater: "Phil Mickelson. I just like him. He’s my favorite golfer and he’s done very well for himself and he’s a role model on and off the course and I’ve just always liked him. I’d go with Phil."

DE Darryl Tapp: "I’d say [Michael] Jordan. He changed the game of basketball in my era. Competitive and his aggressiveness, playing the game at the height he played at. Consistently at a high basis. Had his own shoe and clothing line, which would probably be something pretty cool to have. Travel all over the world thanks to a game. That’s one of the coolest things about playing football, getting to see so many things I probably wouldn’t have seen without playing football. He’d probably be the answer."

OL Larry Warford: "Oh man, Tiger Woods. He’s going to walk when he’s like 50, man. When he’s going to be 50 he’s going to be able to walk. I’m not. As far as pay and the toll it takes on your body, the off-the-field stuff not so much, but he’s living pretty well. How much does he make? He’s the highest-paid. He’s loaded. And he’s going to walk when he’s 50. That’s the biggest thing. I’m not. It’s going to be terrible. I don’t even care about the money. I like this game."

WR Lance Moore: "Kobe Bryant. He’s the ultimate competitor. Killer instinct, everything that epitomizes what an athlete should be. Obviously he’s really, really good. He’s decorated. Plays with a swagger, obviously. I would say Kobe."

S Isa Abdul-Quddus: "Lionel Messi. He’s at the top of his game, you know, and one of the best ever. At the end, he’s probably going to be the best ever in the sport. It’s an international deal, to travel all the time. They get the love from all around the world. We just get love in America."