Detroit Grit!

16 years ago today, the Detroit Lions made history. Believe me, it is nothing to be proud of. It is a day that fans would rather forget. As a matter of fact, it is an entire season we’d like to forget. On December 28, 2008 the Lions lost to the Green Bay Packers to go 0-16 on the season. This made them the first team in NFL history to do so.

On the team roster that year was a young fella by the name of Dan Campbell.

One can only imagine what the members of the team felt after each game and after the season was over. Utter defeat? Shame? Embarrassment? A combination of all of those? It is hard to say. I would imagine that it is something they never will forget. I know that when I think back to certain things in my life, I get sick to my stomach remembering them. Maybe they do, too?

What I do know is that young man would return to Detroit in 2021 as the new head coach of the Lions. He knew all too well what this town longed for. He had a vision to take the Lions and turn them around. He has certainly done that. He has a way of motivating this team to go out and win. There is a whole new fight to this team and I am loving every minute of it!

In 2008, the Lions made history for going 0-16. The Lions have made history in 2024 in many other ways:

13 wins (to date) – the most in franchise history.
493 points scored this season (to date) – a franchise record
Amon-Ra St. Brown – first player in franchise history to record 100+ receptions and 10+ receiving touchdowns in consecutive seasons
Jared Goff – first QB in NFL history to complete at least 5 passes to 6 different receivers in a game
Jared Goff – first player in NFL history with 275+ passing yards, 2 TD passes, and a passer rating of 135+ in 5 games within a single season

What an amazing year! I am sure that there are plenty other stats I could post, too.

Keep up the great work, team! We are rooting for you! Go Lions!

First Rambling of Year #6

I posted earlier that this blog celebrates it’s 6th year today. Technically, I guess that blog was the first of year #6, however, this is the first blog with more … content.

He’s a comedian

This morning, Andrew was moving all the chairs in the living room around. He kept pushing them away from the wall. So I looked at him and said, “Hey, Two Men and a Truck! What are you doing over there?” He looked at me and then started making the sound of a truck horn beeping! It really cracked me up.

Whoops! Ouch!

Ok, so my slip and fall was not as bad as that guy, but it hurt. Monday, I was getting stuff out to the car and as I was shutting the trunk and turning to go back in the house I lost my footing. I slipped on the ice and came down flat on my back. The wind was knocked out of me, but luckily I didn’t crack my head on the driveway.

I was finally able to get up and get back in the house. I was a bit sore but moving ok until I went to get in the shower. I took my T-shirt off and as I raised my arms there was a breathtaking sharp pain that shot up from my lower back. It had me in tears. I sat on the couch for much longer than I wanted to hoping that the pain would go away.

When I finally attempted to get up, I was able to but I could still feel that pain. I thought maybe standing in the hot shower would help. It did a bit. I wound up going to work and had the heated seats on all the way. It was similar to a heating pad and helped a lot. It was a very slow go at work, however.

Tuesday when I woke up, I knew I needed to see the doctor. I could hardly walk. The pain was awful. Thanks to some muscle relaxers and a whole lot of ibuprofen, I was able to work today. It still hurts and I am still being very careful.

GM Gets It

The above logo was what General Motors has done in support of the Detroit Lions. I thought this was pretty cool. Then today I saw something even cooler. Now if you are wondering how big the Lions getting this far is – check out this text message that was sent out to folks at the Flint Assembly Plant:

They altered the start time for the shifts on Sunday night!!! That is HUGE!!!

According to all the stuff I am seeing, the Lions are the underdogs in the upcoming contest against the San Francisco 49ers. I think that just makes us want it more! One of the best things I’ve seen on the internet this week was this photo with our head coach Dan Campbell:

This is the farthest I have ever seen the team go in my lifetime. I would love to see them advance (and win) the Super Bowl. I truly hope that this is their year. It has been a great one to watch. On to San Fran …

Testing My Heart

I’ve watched a lot of tight football games. I’ve been at the edge of my seat for many of them. Can I tell you that my heart rate is still up there after last night’s Detroit Lions playoff game?!

There was a lot of talk about this game. Matt Stafford was our Quarterback for years. They traded him to the Rams and we got Jared Goff. Stafford went on to win a Superbowl.

Last night Goff and Stafford went head to head in a playoff game. The Lions had not won a playoff game in 30+ years. There was more than electricity in the air.

Stafford, who did a lot for the Lions, was boo’d when he took the field. The crowd chanted “Jared Goff” when he came out. I get it. Goff is our guy now. Stafford even admitted that he knew he was “the enemy.” Was it necessary for the crowd to boo his kids … no, but again, all they were thinking about was a win.

Two great teams. Only one winner. I will not lie when I tell you I was almost in tears. What an amazing feeling! This team has brought life long fans like me a season like we haven’t seen in way too long.

The last five minutes of the game had me so anxious! It was a 1 point game! When we got the first down and all we needed to do was take a knee three times…..I was still worried. I’ve seen too many crazy outcomes to not be worried. But, alas, a victory!!!

Next week, we have another playoff game. I may need a valium, but I will once again be rooting for my Detroit Lions!

No matter what happens, I thank Dan Campbell, Jared Goff and the rest of the team for a year that has been amazing to watch!!

A Proud Fan

Here in Michigan, we really haven’t had much to cheer about when it comes to professional football. The Detroit Lions have been the butt of many jokes. Late night hosts had a field day (pun intended) when they went 0-16 in 2008. Even Jeopardy poked fun at them once:

For years Facebook posts about their games included the tag “Same Old Lions.” It actually looked like that was the way it might be again. In October, the team’s record sat at 1-6. People were starting to bash Coach Dan Campbell because this start was actually worse than his predecessor (Matt Patricia).

WDIV Local 4’s website states:

The subsequent turnaround was stunning, culminating in Sunday night’s 20-16 takedown of the Packers on national TV and on a freezing night at Lambeau Field. The Lions won eight of their final 10 games to finish 9-8, and even though Seattle’s win over the Rams had eliminated their remaining playoff hopes, the Lions played with impressive energy and confidence.

The win doused the Packers’ playoff bid, one that the experts had all but conceded to Aaron Rodgers’ team. Campbell was asked on the field at halftime why his team seemed so passionately motivated. He barked, “We don’t want them to go.”

The Lions have gone 65 years without a championship and 31 years without a play off win. We really haven’t had a lot to cheer about – until now.

How does Dan Campbell feel about the phrase “same old Lions?” He was very clear:

“I don’t want to hear that anymore, ‘the same old Lions,'” Campbell said. “That’s what all of this is about. There are so many things, but it all comes with winning. Yeah. I wanted to be a part of building a brand new brand. I like that. I also know. You want to do that, man, you really got to get in the dance. You’ve got to get in the tournament. You’ve got to make some waves in the tournament. That’s the next step.”

Win or lose, I’ve always worn my Lions gear. I’ve always rooted for the home team in good seasons and in bad. I’m proud of the team and what t hey accomplished this year. How about a few stats –

Goff was impressive!!

VERY impressive!

Unheard of in past years!

Rookie Sacks!

This is HUGE!!! Barry Sanders was amazing and he even sent out a personal video to Jamaal after he broke his record!

“Hey Jamaal, Barry Sanders here. And I just wanted to congratulate you on an awesome year, and for breaking my record, which was the most rushing touchdowns by a Detroit Lion in a single season. Awesome job, man. You’ve been a big part of the success this year, and I know you’re just getting started. Great job.”

It’s neat to watch the coach’s post game talks. The one Sunday night after eliminating the Packers may just have give us a new “tag”:

ALL ROADS GO THROUGH DETROIT! I love that.

I am very excited to see what the team does next year and beyond! WDIV said on their website:

For the first time since 1957, it feels like the future truly is now, and dreaming about a Lions championship is no longer a shared Detroit delusion.

I truly hope so!

Thank you to the Detroit Lions for giving me and all the fans something to cheer about!!