The Sports Fan Project

Event 33 – Taking a Busman’s Holiday to Detroit’s Ford Field on Thanksgiving Day

^{Hanging at Ford Field for the Detroit Lions’ annual Thanksgiving Game.}

^{Hanging at Ford Field for the Detroit Lions’ annual Thanksgiving Game.}

The Written Word

A Turkey of a Thanksgiving Day at Ford Field? Never!

Still Photos

Me and Barry Sanders.

The old in-stadium message ring is now on the concourse.

Jahmyr Gibbs mural on the concourse.

Ford Field was decked out for the season.

A callback to Coach Dan Campbell’s opening press conference.

Fans on the 2nd Level Concourse.

The entrance to the Detroit Lions’ Archives.

Former tight end David Sloan.

Current edge Aidan Hutchinson.

Lem Barney and Yale Lary artifacts.

Current linebacker Jack Campbell.

Former defensive lineman Shaun Rogers.

The view from above the proceedings.

The in-house Ford Field studio. At right is on-field emcee, Anthony Bellino.

Rob and I in front of the Lions’ frame wall.

My seat view.

I was a little disappointed the flag didn’t fill the entire field.

Lions’ fans are provided guidance for when the team’s on offense.

The Packers threaten just before halftime.

Somewhere down there is Jack White (and Rob and his daughter, Cameron) during halftime.

Getting to Ford Field from our parking spot required crossing America’s Thanksgiving Parade route.

Here’s the look down Woodward toward the parade’s ending.

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Video

^{Entering Ford Field.}

^{Checking out the 2nd Level Concourse.}

^{The Honolulu Boom perform.}

^{Lions hit the field to warm up.}

^{Packers get booed.}

^{Lions’ hype video.}

^{Lions run out.}

^{Final three defense intros.}

^{Let’s go Lions, cheers.}

^{Packers’ 4th down TD.}

^{Jack White halftime performance.}

^{Singing “Gridiron Heroes.”}

^{Synchronized lights.}

^{Packers’ final first down.}

^{Final seconds tick off.}

Fun Facts

Traveling Party – My friend Rob, wife Jaime, daughter Cameron, and brother Justin, and I.
Last Time Visited – Rob is a Detroit Lions’ season ticket holder and attends all home games. I’ve not been to a Lions’ home game since 1996.
Dressed for Success – Clearly I was under dressed or – perhaps more accurately – not appropriately seasonally dressed, for this game. I did not wear my Santa suit nor did I have on a turkey hat (as Rob and Jaime had). I was not in a full lions’ onesie nor was I in green and gold overalls (as some Packers’ fans were). During the day, I also believe I witnessed a person dressed as a Christmas tree as well as all variety of Honolulu Blue and Silver wearables. The point is, a nationally televised holiday game such as this one brought out the wardrobe creativity in the attendees.
Running List of States Traveled To/Through (27 total) – Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, & Wyoming
Running List of Countries Traveled To/Through (8 total) – Argentina, Canada (Manitoba, Ontario, & Quebec), England, Japan, Korea, Scotland, United States, & Wales
Distance Traveled – 68 miles roundtrip to Detroit’s Ford Field
Cumulative Distance Traveled After 33 Events – 70,613 miles
Up Next – The Michigan vs. Ohio State football game at Michigan Stadium

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