DETROIT — Sunday is the day Detroit Lions fans have waited decades for. After years of suffering through lost seasons and heartbreak, the team stands one game away from the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance.
The hype has been building for ages. From the doldrums of an 0-16 season, to the Matthew Stafford era, fans held patient until the late-season resurgence of 2022 that spawned what has become the most magical season these fans have ever dared to dream of. So far, at least.
That hype train hit full-steam ahead this weekend as fans chanted Jared Goff’s name all across the state and the Lions put on a drone show in the Saturday night sky above Ford Field.
Chants of “Ja-red Goff!” began to take off in the Lions’ first home playoff game in three decades when the team took the field against Stafford and the Rams in the Wild Card round. And they haven’t stopped since — nor have they been contained to Ford Field.
Fans at the end of Thursday’s Red Wings-Flyers game at Little Caesars Arena broke out the chant. Those in attendance at Friday’s Grand Rapids Griffins game at Van Andel Arena followed suit, as did Pistons fans at LCA on Saturday.
The chants even broke out at a high school cheerleading competition in Michigan over the weekend.
It’s safe to say fans have reached fever pitch as anticipation builds for Sunday’s historic game.
The chants even extended to Saturday night’s light show above Ford Field, as the drones spelled out the quarterback’s name in the sky and fans chanted.
Other drone formations included the team’s motto, “All Grit,” a championship message, a Lion devouring the 49ers logo and more.