Under the Helmet: Dave Fipp

Detroit Lions

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The 7th Annual Awards

Nominee ✨

• Best Documentary: Long-Form

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ABOUT THIS ENTRY

In this behind-the-scenes documentary, we go Under the Helmet with Dave Fipp as he dives into his love of aviation stemming from his father, a former navy A-4 Skyhawk pilot, who passed away from esophageal cancer after Dave's Super Bowl run with the Eagles in 2018.

How does this represent "Excellence in Engagement"?

In telling Dave's story, we were reminded of the complexity of us all and the potential for a story to find you at any time. What began as a recap of a military ride-along quickly unwound and revealed a web of connections between underestimation, perseverance, pursuit of passions, competition, inspiration, ultimate victory, ultimate loss, self-worth, humility, gratitude, family, and an attitude toward challenging oneself to constantly improve. In Dave's own words, it's easy to see his passion in the way he lives, his gratitude for the life he's been given, his love for his family, and the consistent energy and effort he brings to the Detroit Lions facility every day.

Objective

Under The Helmet is the Detroit Lions flagship content series showcasing who our players (and now coaches) are away from the field. The goal is to humanize them through intimate storytelling related to family, childhood, upbringing, and ideology. With Dave Fipp, he has many parallels to his father, Bernard Fipp, who was his hero and largest influence growing up. Dave's episode of Under The Helmet sought to tell the story of creating Dave's love for family, flight, and football, while also honoring his late father, the man reflected in Dave's literal image along with so many of the choices he's made throughout his life.

Strategy & Execution

Dave Fipp is easily one of the most interesting and humble individuals working under the Detroit Lions' roof. Prior to 2025, our team had never embarked on this ambitious of a behind-the-scenes spotlight on a player or staff member. We were able to tell the story of Dave Fipp spanning three generations of family, filming multiple times in California as well as incorporating ride-along with the Blue Angels flight demonstration team and even a personal flight with the Fipp family with Dave at the helm.

Organizations

• Detroit Lions - One Pride Productions

• Blue Angels

Links

•   Website

Featured

• Dave Fipp

Credits

Neil Larson
Production Manager
Detroit Lions

Cole Knubley
Producer
Detroit Lions

Ben Blessington
Production Associate
Detroit Lions

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