Two years ago, when they ranked last in the NFL in attendance, the Lions drew barely 50,000 fans per game to Ford Field. They drew nearly that many to a preseason game last Friday. There might be no better sign of the team's progress under Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes.
At certain points during the Lions' 21-16 win over the Giants, like during Maurice Alexander's punt return touchdown and Jameson Williams' ensuing two-point conversion catch, it sounded like the outcome really mattered. If the fans were this fired up for a preseason game, they might burn the building down for the home opener in Week 2.
Campbell couldn't let it go unnoticed in his press conference Monday.
"I meant to say this the other night, but I have to hit this," he said. "Our fans were unbelievable the other night. I mean, for a preseason game ... my God, I didn’t expect that. I don’t think any of (our players) did. That’s unbelievable. That’s a packed house for a preseason. I mean, (the Giants) were using silent count on offense, in a preseason game. So that certainly helps. That was awesome."
The announced attendance was 48,872, 76 percent of Ford Field's capacity. The place will be bursting at the seams in Week 2, and likely for every home game this season. The Lions have sold out season tickets for the first in Ford Field's history.
Even Williams, who routinely played in front of capacity crowds at Alabama, was impressed by how many fans showed up for a preseason game.
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"It was fully-packed, man. They had the chants going, everything. Just gets your adrenaline running and gets you ready for the next game, so it’s good. I love the fans being out there. They just give me a push to go harder. They ain’t out here for no reason, so I’m trying to make a play for them," he said.
Also impressed? Teddy Bridgewater, the nine-year vet who officially signed with the Lions last Thursday and said he could "feel the fans' excitement" the next night.
"I'm excited that the fans are eager to see this team go out and compete," he said. "I heard they sold out season tickets, so I'm excited. I got a taste of it the other night."
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