Game #94- Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions vs. Philadelphia Eagles Ford Field October 9th, 2016 Another Midwest work trip, another game. The choice I had to make this time was, should I deal with a five hour drive from Indianapolis to Detroit, get 7 hours of sleep, go to a game, and drive 5 hours back or just fly directly to Detroit and deal with the ridiculously long layover in Chicago on the way to Indy after the game. I decided on the flight just because driving over 10 hours sounded awful. We all know the state of disrepair in the Detroit area since the mid 1980’s when Ford and Chevy started to lose the car wars with Japan. The surrounding neighborhoods are falling apart and you can literally buy a house in some areas for $10k. That being said, downtown Detroit is beautiful. I got a room at the very top of the Renaissance Marriot (68th floor) which provided me amazing views of downtown all the way to Lake Michigan. I was also overlooking Ford Field, Comerica Park and the new Detroit Red Wings arena which was a perfect opportunity for me to take some great pictures for my True Sports Fan-Tasy blog. The day of the game I decided to make my way over to the stadium a bit early so I could take a mini tour of the Tigers ballpark and take a few shots of the Wings arena that looked to be about 50% complete. It’s weird to think the Wings will be moving with all the history they have built in Joe Luis, but we all know each team wants the newest and best home arena. After my “walk-about” I headed to the fan fest outside of Ford Field where there were tons of booths, games for kids, a timed 40 yard dash, and plenty of music. This team has one of the ticketless systems (unless you are a season ticket holder) so I knew it was going to be a bitch finding a stub, but none the less I scanned my ticket, got my Detroit Lions car flag (which I bestowed to my buddy Scott who is from this area), and went frolicking around the massive indoor stadium. Ford Field is amazing. I have been in several indoor football stadiums but this one seemed much bigger. Perhaps it is because they literally added a concourse around that was laid on the outside circumference of the field. In this area they had play areas for kids, team shops, restaraunts, and tons of clean restrooms (yes ladies, you will love this). But once again, just like every damn new stadium there was nothing in terms of a Lions Hall of Fame or trophy cases. I don’t get it! The team has been around since 1930, they couldn’t put up old jerseys, trophies, cleats, medals, pictures, helmets, footballs…ANYTHING! The only nostalgic place in the entire structure was a hallway with faded pictures on windows that showed the old stadiums. At least have a statue of Barry Sanders! After rounding Ford Field in vain, I dejectedly went to my seat hoping to find someone with a ticket stub they were willing to give up. As in the past, if I feel like someone around me might have a stub but will be a dick saying “I think I will keep it for a souvenier” when we both know they are going to immediately throw the thing away once they get home, I do the one thing most dudes cannot pass up…a free beer. I scouted the couple behind me, got my $10 beer ticket, and then was able to just enjoy the game. At this early point of the season, the Eagles and especially rookie QB Carson Wentz were the darlings of the NFL. They were 3-0 and coming off a bye week so big things were expected of this group. On the other hand Detroit was 1-3, the bottom of their division, and without recently retired Pro Bowler Calvin Johnson were quickly heading to a non-playoff season. But the home team started off really well with two quick first quarter TD’s by Sam Bradford to Theo Riddick, and nearing the half were up 21-7. A late Eagles drive and field goal brought it to 21-10 but the Lions looked strong and were posed to get an easy win, then it fell apart. Philadelphia to this point in the season had the best defense in the league and they showed it from the beginning of the second quarter until the 4th completely pulverizing the Lions front line while Wentz and team slowly took the lead with a TD and two field goals (23-21). But with the ball on the Eagles 25 yard line, about 1:30 left in the game, Wentz heaved a hail Mary down the field which was picked off by Darious Slay giving Detroit one last chance for a victory. Bradford made some short passes, handed off to Riddick on several occasions to place them on the 29 yard line where Matt Pater put the blue and silver up by one point which was the eventual final score, 24-23. It was a great game but I needed to book out of there as quick as possible to get my luggage and head to the airport. Best part of the game…all of the Philadephia fans that were talking shit the entire game going home (many on planes) with their heads hanging low. I hate when opposing fans use profanity, start trying to pick fights, basically being complete assholes at away games. It’s one thing when you have the home field advantage, but don’t think for one second that you will get away with that crap in another stadium (unless you are in San Diego, there are usually more away fans than home…ha ha ha!)