The night began with a message from Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp, who took the stage in front of season-ticket holders at Ford Field to chants of Shei-la! Shei-la! Shei-la!! Ford Hamp thanked the fans for their loyal support and then laid it down like this: "Last year was Phase 1. This year is Phase 2. One of our goals is that at the end of the 2024 season, we will be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy." On this same field in the 2021 season, many of these same fans booed Ford Hamp so lustily that Calvin Johnson urged them to stop during his introduction to the Lions ring of honor. They cheered in approval Thursday night.
The fans were on hand for an unveiling of the Lions' new uniforms, which had been leaked in a screw-up by Fanatics earlier in the day. That didn't seem to dull their excitement. They greeted Dan Campbell like a WWE wrestler when their 6'5 coach strutted onto the stage to theme music like he was about to enter the ring. And then he put it down like this: "What you guys did in the playoffs, you helped win those games for us, you really did." The last time the place was full, the Lions were taking out the Rams and the Bucs on their way to the NFC title game.
The new uniforms, said Campbell, are just another thing "to look forward to" for a franchise that is finally done dwelling on the past.
"No different than what we’ve done when we came in, man, everything’s about the next step," said Campbell. "We got a new vision that started with Sheila and man, it's a new attitude, it's a new style, and it’s our style. The jerseys come out with it."
A few minutes later, the Lions flaunted them for the first time at Ford Field. Sam LaPorta came out first in the home jersey, which has been spruced up with a richer shade of blue, block numbers and lettering in white (instead of grey) and outlined in silver, and silver stripes on the sleeves inspired by the racing stripes on the Ford Mustang. They are paired with silver helmets with blue face masks and silver pants with blue socks. They really pop.
LaPorta was then joined on stage by Barry Sanders, who wore a version of the same jersey in the '90s. He said that "when you look at how the Lions have turned over a new leaf, it's fitting that they have new uniforms."
Next up was Alim McNeill in the white road jersey, trailed by former No. 54 Chris Spielman. The biggest twist, and McNeill's "favorite part," is DETROIT written across the chest above the block blue numbers, also outlined in silver. When the Lions hit the road, McNeill said they'll be "bringing the city with us." The whites are paired with either blue or white pants, white socks and the silver helmet.
"I like the new bolder blue, the bigger letters, everything just looks a lot cleaner, sleeker," said McNeill. "The 'Detroit vs Everybody', it’s like we're taking that on the road with us on our jersey."
Asked about the blue face mask, he said, "It's electric. It gives us a new look, a new pop. It’s gonna look good on TV." And as Wood pointed out later, the Lions should be in line for a number of primetime games this season. They'll look fit for the national spotlight.
The Lions saved the big reveal for last when Kerby Joseph swaggered onto the stage in a black alternate jersey, a remake of the alternates they briefly wore in the mid 2000's. The idea was hatched almost three years ago to the day when Campbell, who had worn the blacks when he played for the Lions,
asked Wood during a draft meeting just a few months into his tenure as head coach, "Hey Rod, when can we get the black jerseys back?"
"And I said, 'I’ll make a deal. When you win the division, I’ll bring the black jerseys back,'" said Wood. "I went out on a limb and thankfully he delivered."
The difference now is, the black jerseys will go with either black or blue pants -- they were paired with silver pants back in the day -- and the blue helmet with black accents that the Lions debuted last season. They feature block blue numbers outlined in silver and LIONS written across the chest.
Joseph was joined on stage by Johnson, who said the new look reminds him of "the Reeboks we wore back in the day. They’re bringing back the block numbers with a new fresh modern style."
"All I gotta say is, I’m gonna start a petition so we can wear these bad boys every home game," Johnson said.
Joseph, by the way, did not attempt his signature handspring backflip when he came on stage. Wood smiled and said, "I advised him against it. And he followed my instructions. You never know with Kerby. The moment catches him sometimes. No, he was perfect. And it was great to have our three young stars up there and three of our legends."
The black jerseys are associated with a bad era of football. Over the three seasons they wore them, the Lions had twice as many losses as wins. But Wood expects that narrative to change. The Lions have spent most of the past two seasons under Campbell and Brad Holmes writing a bold new story.
"There’s a little history there and I’m well aware of it, but we’re a new team, new leadership, new players and I think the past is the past," said Wood. "It reminded of (the fans) of a time they want to forget. But hopefully this is a time they always want to remember."
The new jerseys bear hallmarks of Detroit on the inside of the collars. On the blues stitched in white: One Pride. On the whites stitched in blue: 313. And on the blacks stitched in silver: Motor City. Wood said that it's a "little reminder to the players when they’re putting the jersey on, where they’re from, who we’re repping."
The Lions will keep their blue and silver throwbacks in the rotation. Normally worn on Thanksgiving, the uniform is a classic that harkens back to the 1950s when the Lions won their last championship. At long last, they have more championships to chase.