For those of us that have moved away from the state or somehow became a Lions fan not living in the state, you have no idea the ridicule we received for years. So, I think this all hits differently for us. For myself, I've never stopped wearing Lions gear or anything like that.
Me in 2013
Me in 2020
So when people would see us, they would snicker, crack jokes at our expense, talk about how we wasted the careers of Barry and Calvin, worst franchise in sports, etc. The thing is, the rubberbanding of hope or even parity never seemed to come around for us. When most of us were kids, the Cardinals and the Colts were trash too and we've seen them get to at least one super bowl game. We've seen the Saints win one, we've seen expansion teams reach higher peaks than us. It just simply never felt like it was ever going to be our turn.
Fast forward to this year, I don't know what will ultimately happen but even for 6 weeks in, they have given me more good vibes than any other time of my fandom for this football team. It isn't so much about the national media giving us respect, though that is great, it's about the fact that the team is holding themselves accountable and aren't killing themselves with dumb penalties, shooting themselves in the foot, basically living up to the #SOL credo. I wait for the other team to implode now. It's the fact that we seemingly have something that is sustainable and not trying to capture lightning in a bottle for a season. The Lions are 13-3 over their past 16 games. That is building towards sustained excellence. I expect to win now. That statement in itself is different for me to say. I expect to win because we aren't eeking out victories, we are putting teams in the dirt and burying them.
Lastly, I appreciate that Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell understands what this means for us, meaning the fanbase. There is a reason that we are taking over stadiums on the road. We've wanted something to believe in with this team for so long.
There is a reason why this man is all of a sudden posting Lions stuff. This year, it feels real, which it has never felt before in our lifetime.
I got shyt to do before I go to bed but brehs, damn it feels good to be a Lions fan tonight.
