The last time I saw a Detroit Lions’ home football game was November 28, 1996.
The Lions hosted the Kansas City Chiefs in their annual Thanksgiving Day Game at the Pontiac Silverdome. The Chiefs, led by a pair of Marcus Allen touchdowns (his 111th and 112th of his career which passed Walter Payton for the NFL record), won the game, 28-24.
I remember this game because it was my friend Rob’s bachelor party and a bunch of fellas attended in advance of his wedding the next evening.
It only seemed like deja vu because our other friend, Mike, did the whole Lions’ Thanksgiving-Day-game-bachelor-party-thing the year prior when the Lions bested the Minnesota Vikings, 44-38.
In the years since – also known, largely, as the “Dark Ages for Detroit Lions’ Football” – I did my viewing of the hometown professional football team from the comfort of my living room sofa or a few select road games where I either met friends or checked some stadiums off my list: Once in Green Bay’s Lambeau Field for a 28-6 Lions’ loss; once in Denver for a 20-16 Lions’ loss; once in Arizona for a 17-10 Lions’ loss; and, mercifully, once in Dallas for a 47-9 Lions’ win.
That said, when it came time to determine which 80 would be on my Around the World in 80 Sporting Events list you could have bet the house that a Detroit Lions’ Thanksgiving Day Game was going to be on it.
Securing Tickets
Thankfully, this was a home game for me. Sleep in my own bed. Drive in my own car.
Lions’ tickets, however, are not what they once were e.g. abundant and cheap.
With the move 23 seasons ago from the cavernous Silverdome (capacity 80,311) downtown to the relatively cozy confines of Ford Field (65,000) and a team that suddenly – and rather miraculously – learned how to be competitive in the NFL, Lions’ tickets have been H-O-T. For an occasion such as Thanksgiving Day with division rival Green Bay coming to town, these were some in-demand tickets.
Luckily, I knew a guy;-)
My friend Rob (and not the one whose bachelor party was in the Silverdome 29 years ago) is a long-standing Lions’ season-ticket holder and when I shared my vision for the Around the World project he seemed all-too-willing to support the effort and sell me one of his tickets at face value. His only request was that he be my wingman a couple days later for the Michigan-Ohio State game at Michigan Stadium (more on that event next time).
Sold!
No hotel expense, free parking at a downtown casino, face-value ticket cost … this event was trending toward an under budget experience.
Joining the Parade
While there may be nooks and crannies around the city of Detroit that afford free parking for major events, there is only one has free parking 24/7 365 days a year: The MGM Grand Detroit Parking Garage.
While it’s not located right next to the city’s major venues (Ford Field, Comerica Park, and Little Caesars Arena), it’s close enough that it’s not a taxing walk to get to any of the above and, as they say, the price is right.
I met Rob, his wife, Jaime, daughter, Cameron, and brother, Justin, in the garage and we began the nearly one mile walk to Ford Field.
When it came time to cross Woodward Avenue – Detroit’s main street – we had to dodge floats from America’s Thanksgiving Parade to get from one side to the other. So, for a moment, I guess I was in the parade.
Paying Homage to Barry
I dare say Detroit’s Hall of Fame running back, Barry Sanders, has never purchased a beverage – adult or otherwise – in this region since he abruptly walked away from the game on the eve of training camp in 1999.
If any Lions’ player is statue worthy, it’d be Barry.
And, finally, the Lions’ did the right thing in September 2023 when they unveiled a Sanders’ statue in front of Ford Field.
Having never been to a Lions’ game at Ford Field and no event there since the statue was dedicated, I’d not seen it.
Consider it seen and homage paid.
First-time for a Ford Field Lions’ Game
Clockwise from upper left, a showcase devoted to current Lions’ edge, Aidan Hutchinson, is found in the Detroit Lion Archives area; the Christmas trip was up and resplendent in Honolulu Blue and Silver decor; this Jahmyr Gibbs mural is see along a concourse; the entrance into the Archives area; the former Ford Field message board ring is now along the concourse; items from Lem Barney, left, and Yale Lary are found in the Archives area; the 2nd Level Concourse was poppin’ over an hour before kickoff.
While I’d never seen a Lions’ game in Ford Field, I had been in the venue, previously. Once for a concert (U2), twice for a high school marching band competitions, once for what was then the Motor City Bowl, and once for a facility tour.
So before we visited our seats, Rob took me for a walk around the venue which, as you might imagine, was festooned in Honolulu Blue and Silver for the occasion.
Along the way Rob pointed out how the facility repurposed the old message board ribbon that used to ring the stadium. It now serves as a live scoreboard for both the Lions and other games along some of the concourses. We were able to see the giant Christmas tree that was fully decorated near one of the entrances and was a hot spot for folks to get pictures and, nearby, we took a moment to hear from the Honolulu Boom, the Lions’ drum line which was performing in the area. Finally, we moved through the 2nd Level Concourse that featured a large open-air space between the seating and the old Hudson Warehouse which was a major piece of the original design of the facility. It included the Blitz (a dining spot that’s also open for lunch weekdays) as well as a DJ spinning tunes and plenty of spots get a cooling beverage, sit, and visit.
Additionally, the concourses featured plenty of large murals of current Lions’ players and a special area known as the Detroit Lions Archives, which serves as a repository of team artifacts, past and present.
Settling In
Rob’s seats were positioned in the corner of the endzone to the upper right of the Lions’ logo as you watch games on television.
It was a terrific spot to see the action … all of the action.
Players emerged from the tunnel directly opposite from where we sat, we were facing the Lions’ sidelines (the Packers, while closer, had their backs to us), and we had a great view of the video board.
All-in-all, no complaints with the place. Sightlines seem fabulous from what appears to be every seat in the house and the upper levels don’t rise to the heights (and distance from the field) that some other stadiums do. And the acoustics, as I’ll mention in a moment, aren’t too shabby either.
The Game
From left, the field during “The Star-Spangled Banner;” saw this fella at the concession stand; the Packers’ scrimmage from deep in Lions’ territory late in the first half; the home fans adhered to the scoreboard operator’s request when the Lions were on offense.
As you might imagine, for it being a holiday and all, fans were in a festive mood on the way into Ford Field. Myriad holiday-themed outfits being donned, plenty of Honolulu Blue and Silver, but also no shortage of the Green and Gold from the visitors from the west.
The Lions, a team that a season ago went 15-2 and then washed out in the Divisional round of the NFC playoffs, were up and down to the moment. Having not won consecutive games in seven weeks. They were 7-4, coming of an outlandish overtime victory over the New York Giants, and in the midst of a 3-game homestand.
A win against Green Bay would catapult the Lions over the Packers and keep them in the hunt for the NFC North title.
Well, we all now know how this went:-(
Detroit’s star receiver, Amon-Ra St. Brown, was injured during Detroit’s first offensive series, did not return and, consequently, the Lions’ offense took a while to find itself. Meanwhile, Green Bay jumped to a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter.
Playing without two offensive line starters as well, and facing Green Bay with early-September acquistion Michah Parsons fully integrated, Lions quarterback Jared Goff seemed rushed most of the day.
Detroit failed on a pair of fourth down conversions during the second half and that fairly well doomed it to not having quite enough oomph to get the victory. Even so, had the defense managed to stop Green Bay on a 4th-and-3 with just under two minutes left in the game there would have been an opportunity to tie it in the waning minutes. Jordan Love found Dontayvion Wicks for 16 yards to put the game on ice, 31-24.
A Halftime Highlight!
Metro Detroit was abuzz much of the preceding two weeks after it was announced that Detroit native and hip-hop legend, Eminem, would be helping produce the Lions’ annual Thanksgiving Day halftime show.
What would he have in store for fans and television audiences this year? Would he be performing?
A few days later it was announced that fellow Detroiter – and 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee – Jack White was set to perform.
My friend Rob shared with me on the way to the game that he and his daughter were going to be part of the halftime show, selected among the group of a few hundred fans who rushed the stage on the field as the peformance was set to begin. They even had a rehearsal of sorts earlier in the week to work on positioning and choreography. (Nothing, it seems, is left to chance!)
For those who are fans (which I am one), White did not disappoint. He started with a scorching rendition of “That’s How I’m Feeling,” moved into “Hello Operator,” and then welcomed Eminem to the stage – to the delight of the crowd – who sampled “Till I Collapse.”
And was there any doubt how White would finish this peformance? His stadium anthem which is played the world over at sporting events big and small, “Seven Nation Army,” closed out his time in front of his home town.
Later, when Rob and Cameron made it back to their seats, we queried on whether they knew Eminem would be appearing. Either they’re gifted liars or like the rest of us were unaware until he popped up onstage.
Rob, who stood stage right, said he did notice a bit of commotion to his left before Eminem ran up on the stage and only later realized that it was likely a hoodied singer and his people the getting rapper into position to surprise everyone.
Postscript
As I write these reflections in mid-January, nearly two months following my visit to Ford Field, we now know how the Lions’ season finished. They never did win consecutive games again and limped to the finish line (quite literally) with a 9-8 record and finished in the basement of the NFC North.
I’ll take the glass is half full approach on the topic. With injuries to the secondary and the offensive line stacking up like salmon who finished their swim upstream to spawn, it was not – in my opinion – a team built for a deep playoff run. I’ll take the fourth place schedule in 2026 as well as a slightly earlier draft slot.
I’ll also take some fond memories of my first home Lions’ experience in nearly 30 years.
