Detroit Lions' Season Gives Even the Hopeless Hope

By Sakari Greene
Spectrum Sports Writer

During the most recent NFC Championship game, the Detroit Lions were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers 34-31. The game was seemingly in their hands at halftime when they were up 24-7. Despite the heartbreaking loss in the game that would have taken them to the Super Bowl, Lions fans are excited for the future of the team for the first time in what seems like forever.

The history of the Detroit Lions has been disappointing to say the least. Just 15 seasons ago, the Lions were the first team to go winless going 0-16. So, to say their road to the NFC Championship hasn’t been a struggle is an understatement. To put into perspective how long it has been since the Lion’s last Super Bowl appearance, the last time that they had an NFC Championship appearance was in 1992.

Since then, the Lions have seen many changes throughout the team. One huge change that the team has seen is the hiring of current head coach Dan Campbell. Despite the hiring, the team went 3-13-1 in his first year, however, fans remained hopeful and their hope was realized when the following year, they went 9-8 and beat their division rivals in the last game of the season. However, due to a tiebreaker with the Seattle Seahawks, they just barely missed the playoffs. This season, they have exploded with a 12-5 record and won the second seed in the NFC.

During the playoffs, one of the biggest stories to come out was that of a 66-year season ticketholder. That fact alone – along with the many fans who have suffered through losing seasons – shows just how loyal Lions fans are.

The Detroit Lions and their fans have seen ups and downs, and have experienced heartbreak like no other team in the NFL. They have seen more downs than ups but despite it all, Lions fans have been faithful. With all the things that they have seen this year, there is no doubt that Lions fans are excited for the future of their team. With the success of what the Lions have done this year, the future is nothing but bright for the former laughing stock of the league. If their fans have seen the team at its worse, there is no doubt that they will be ecstatic for what’s to come.