This was supposed to be the year. This had to be the year. But it wasn’t.
The Detroit Lions’ 2024-25 season ended in heartbreaking fashion with a 45-31 defeat to the Washington Commanders, falling just short of their Super Bowl dreams.
No one felt the sting more than the long-time fans, who had eagerly hoped for a championship. Many of these dedicated supporters came together on January 16 for a “Roarin’ with Pride” pep rally at the Jewish Senior Life (JSL) Fleischman Residence in West Bloomfield.
These Lions are known for their resilience, and the rally was attended by numerous elderly fans—many in their 80s and 90s—who have supported the team for nearly a century and endured years of disappointment. These fans, who know all about grit, wore Lions gear, reminisced about past games, exchanged superstitions, showed off memorabilia, and cheered for Jared Goff along with the Motor City Dans (a group of seven Dan Campbell lookalikes). They also enjoyed blue Kool-Aid and Lions-themed cookies. Former Lions players Maurice Harvey and Tim Walton were also present for the event.
Jay Barry, an 80-year-old JSL resident, has been a Lions fan since he was 9. A former season ticket holder, he proudly owns jerseys worn by ex-Lions players Tom Skladany and Scott Daly, as well as a 1967 autographed football signed by Mel Farr, Garo Yepremian, and others.
“Their current success is something everybody in town can feel,” Barry said, sharing that his favorite current player is David Montgomery.
Barry’s first Lions game was a victory over the Dallas Cowboys on December 11, 1960, at Briggs Stadium, and he still has the ticket stub and program from that game. He remembers sitting in the bleachers in 15-degree weather with a friend he’s had for 70 years. Barry also recalls attending Lions practices at Cranbrook, where he could interact with the players.
Barry believes a Super Bowl win would feel like “getting to the mountaintop.”
Aaron Greenspon, 83, was also present when the Lions won the NFL Championship in 1957, before the first Super Bowl. He views the team’s current success as a “revolution.”
“I never faltered. I was always a Lions fan,” Greenspon said, recalling his loyalty even during the team’s 0-16 season in 2008.
“I couldn’t be,” he explained. “It’s like being married. There are good times and there are bad times, and you live through them, and you enjoy it. Because it wasn’t all bad.”
The event was a resounding success, and Nancy Heinrich, JSL’s CEO, emphasized the importance of creating memorable experiences for residents.
“Anything we can do to evoke memories, especially exciting ones, and create new memories, means the world to our residents and to us,” she said.
As They Say, There’s Always Next Season
When Jay Barry spoke on the phone a few days after the loss, he echoed the disappointment felt by many Lions fans.
“All the fans here thought they would at least accomplish getting to the Super Bowl. The disappointment of the sudden end to the season is obvious,” he said.
While disappointment isn’t new for Lions fans, the heightened expectations were.
“You work so hard to win 15 out of 17 games and then play one more and lose and your season’s over. It took so long to get there and so soon to end. It’s disappointing for everybody.”
Looking ahead to next season, Barry remains hopeful. Despite some changes to the coaching staff, he believes the Lions have a strong foundation as long as Dan Campbell remains at the helm, and the injured players return to form.
“There’s always a reason for hope. And I think with what they have in place, they’ll be good for a while.”
The best things in life are worth waiting for, and these long-time Lions fans have certainly waited long enough. Next season is theirs to chase.
