On the Edge of Glory

Feeling blue? Well, you are not alone. Detroit Lions football fans everywhere are showing their support for the team during the playoffs with “all things blue” –- jerseys, outdoor lighting, popcorn, ice cream, drinks and more! And it’s not just any blue. It’s the Detroit Lions’ famous team color dubbed “Honolulu Blue“!

The Detroit Lions football team are on the precipice of making history in this Sunday’s game for the NFC Championship when they play the San Francisco 49ers. Prior to this year, the Lion’s last playoff win was in 1992. If the Detroit Lions defeat the San Francisco 49ers, they will earn their first ever trip to the Super Bowl!

From Spartans to Lions

The Detroit Lions began in 1930 as the Portsmouth Spartans of Portsmouth, Ohio. The team was purchased in 1934 by radio executive George A. Richards for $8,000 and relocated to Detroit. The team was rebranded as the Detroit Lions and the purple and gold of the Portsmouth Spartans was traded for Honolulu blue and silver.

The Lion’s first season in Detroit, Mr. Richards created the idea of a Thanksgiving Day game as a way to increase attendance. The Lions have played in a Thanksgiving Day game every year since then, with the exception of  1939-1944 during World War II.

The Thanksgiving Day game is loved by fans. Of course, there is an exception to every rule – like my mother and grandmother. As a season ticket holder, my grandfather always took my dad with him to all Lions home games. Although my mother and grandmother were Lions fans, their loyalty was severely tested on Thanksgiving Day as they tried to align the turkey cooking time with the anticipated end of the game!

Glory Days

The Lions have been champions of the NFL prior to the inception of the Super Bowl in the 1966-67 play-offs. They won the NFL championship in 1935, 1952, 1953, and 1957. However, they are one of four teams to never play in a Super Bowl.

Until this year, the  Detroit Lions playoff record was downright awful. Their last playoff win was in 1991. Since then, the Lions had nine straight playoff losses. The Lions finally ended the losing streak with their win over the Los Angeles Rams on January 14, 2024.

The Lions are looking to break another losing streak on Sunday. They have not won a playoff game on the road since the upset win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1957. A Lions win against them on Sunday would be a fitting way to end the 66-year streak of playoff losses on the road.

Underdogs & Blueberry Pancakes

Rooting for the underdog is as American as apple pie. In fact, the underdog story is the American dream – succeeding against all odds by hard work and determination. It’s Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky in real life!

The Detroit Lions are this NFL season’s Cinderella story – a team that has not won a playoff game since the 1991 season despite making it to the playoffs nine times. The Lions are one of only four teams that have never gone to the Super Bowl. A win on Sunday would be huge!

Here’s hoping that on Sunday, National Blueberry Pancake Day, the underdogs in Honolulu Blue are victorious!
Happy Reading!

Suzanne Daniels