The face of a Lions fan: a lifetime of loss and pain

RJ contemplates his life choices after another disappointing loss from the Lions. RJ Hunt | Washtenaw Voice.

By RJ Hunt
Editor

It was an August Friday night and I was at Ford Field to watch the Detroit Lions take on the visiting Atlanta Falcons. As a die-hard Detroit sports fan, I had to be at the first preseason game of the year. Preseason games are typically laid back as many of the star players don’t play past halftime. Therefore, you would think the crowd at Ford Field would be laid back. Nope. No matter what these Lions fans have gone through over the years, they show up and show out.

I enjoyed myself, until the game reached the final two minutes. The Lions are known for miraculously blowing a game in the closing minutes. This game was no different. The home team was up three points with two minutes left and they had possession. A fumble on their side of the field, a Falcons touchdown on 4th and 9, and an awful last possession caused the Lions to lose the game. Even though it was just a preseason game, the Lions gave the first impression of the season that they are the “Same ole Lions.”

Ford Field with a strong crowd during the August 12 preseason game. RJ Hunt | Washtenaw Voice.

Walking to the car after the game, a parking attendant quipped that if they took off the last two minutes of every game, the Lions would be a 14-win team every year. I had to agree.

The Lions have endured so many painful seasons, I don’t know how one team – or town – can endure it. They are the first team to go 0-16. They’ve never played in a Super Bowl, let alone won one. They haven’t won an NFL championship since 1957 (The league championship was not named Super Bowl until 1967).

I mean I’m only 20 years old and I have seen the Lions lose in the craziest fashions. Remember the hail Mary on an expired clock? The 66-yard field goal that hit the crossbar then went through? How about the picked-up pass-interference flag in Dallas. That’s just a sample.

I often think to myself, why do I put up with the Lions? Why don’t I just find a new team? As bad as I want to leave sometimes, I can’t. I was simply born into this. On Sundays at 1 o’clock, my family watched the Lions. It’s been like that for as long as I can remember. I’ve put so much into them at this point, that I don’t want to turn back.

Being a Lions fan is not for the weak. You have to have tough skin. The experience definitely will test your loyalty and patience, though I’m sure the stress kills off brain cells. Regardless, I’m stuck with this team. All I want is one Super Bowl before I die. I will take a Super Bowl win in the next five years if it means not making the playoffs in the 40 years that follow. At least I’ll be able to say I saw one win. I’m riding with the Lions until the wheels fall off and I really hope it will be worth it one day. It definitely will make that one Super Bowl win meaningful WHEN it happens.