This year's turkey, Aidan Cluckinson, is named in honor of Detroit Lions Pro Bowl defensive end and Michigan native Aidan Hutchinson. Nearly 4,500 entries were submitted during this year's turkey naming contest. The winning name was submitted by Valentina from South Lyon. Whitmer has pardoned three turkeys since 2022.

Two Lions-inspired runners-up for the turkey's name: “Gobbletron,” a nod to former All-Pro receiver Calvin "Megatron" Johnson, submitted by Amber of Goodrich; and Cran-Barry Sanders, named for Hall of Famer Barry Sanders, submitted by Matt of Allen Park.

Michigan's Governor Whitmer pardoned a turkey named "Aidan Cluckinson" before Thanksgiving, inspired by Lions' Hutchinson.

Neither will a pardoned turkey, who has been named after him. On Thursday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer pardoned "Aiden Cluckinson" who will go to the Saginaw Children’s Zoo to live out the remainder of his life.

Aidan Cluckinson' is the third turkey Governor Gretchen Whitmer has pardoned since taking office. Cluckinson joins the ranks of Dolly Pardon and Mitch E. Gander in the lineup of recent pardoned turkeys before Thanksgiving.

https://www.wlns.com/news/gov-gretchen-whitmer-to-pardon-turkey-for-thanksgiving/

Governor Whitmer participated in the annual turkey pardoning ceremony on Thursday. Whitmer pardoned “Aiden Cluckinson” named after Lions Defensive End Aidan Hutchinson. Cluckinson is now on the way to their permanent home at the Saginaw Children's Zoo.