FRENCHTOWN TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Standing proudly in his basement, Rob “Lion Eyes” Gonzales gazes at a patch of turf from the Pontiac Silverdome, his signature blue-framed shades with leaping lions blocking his view. “For years, that was a good thing,” he quips, reflecting on the decades of struggles that defined the Detroit Lions.
But no one is laughing at the Lions now. After decades of mediocrity, this franchise is on the verge of something historic. The Detroit Lions, once the NFL’s perennial underdogs, are Super Bowl favorites for the first time in their 90-year history, and their long-suffering fans are reveling in the moment.
As the team prepares to face the Washington Commanders this Saturday at Ford Field, a potential playoff run is underway, with the hopes of securing the Lions’ first league title since 1957.
In a city where passion for football runs deep, it’s the hottest ticket in town. The average ticket price for the game is a staggering $836, according to Vivid Seats—over $300 more than those in Philadelphia, and nearly three times the cost of games in Kansas City and Buffalo.
Brittany Sayles, a season-ticket holder from Detroit, shared how her tickets—originally valued at $400—could now be sold for as much as $1,500 each. “I remember some games when I couldn’t even give tickets away,” Sayles said. “Now, everyone is asking for tickets.”
For many, including Sayles, this is a moment of redemption. “This may not come again in this lifetime,” she added, as she plans to attend the divisional round and, if the Lions continue their run, the NFC Championship.
The Lions’ rise is an astonishing turnaround for a team that was once synonymous with failure. Founded in 1934 after relocating from Ohio, the Lions enjoyed a period of dominance in the 1950s, winning three championships in just six years. But after their 1957 NFL title, the franchise went into a slump, capturing only one playoff win in the next six decades. Last year’s unexpected success, including two playoff victories, was a step forward, but they ultimately fell short in the NFC Championship Game against San Francisco, keeping them as one of the four NFL teams never to make a Super Bowl appearance.
Yet this year, expectations were higher than ever—and the Lions have delivered. Thanks to their dynamic, high-scoring offense, heavy with trick plays, and the inspirational leadership of Dan Campbell, who famously pledged to “bite kneecaps” at his introductory press conference in 2021, the Lions have captured the hearts of fans nationwide.
Kerby Joseph, the team’s All-Pro safety, acknowledged the growing fan base: “The Cowboys are America’s team, but I guess we’re America’s favorites.” The support is overwhelming, with fans sharing stories of their decades of loyalty. “It means everything to give back to this team, this organization and to the city,” Joseph added.
The resurgence of the Lions mirrors the ongoing revitalization of Detroit itself, a city that, after filing for bankruptcy in 2013, has slowly but steadily turned its fortunes around. From General Motors‘ new 685-foot skyscraper to the dramatic renovation of the historic Michigan Central Station, the Motor City is bouncing back. Detroit is also seeing an influx of new businesses, from trendy restaurants to luxury hotels, making it an increasingly vibrant metropolis.
Mayor Mike Duggan credits the Lions’ success with playing a key role in this rebirth. “What the Lions have already done for the city is remarkable,” Duggan said. “The shots of Detroit going across the country are spectacular.”
Back in Gonzales’ basement, the atmosphere is equally remarkable. After the Lions departed the Pontiac Silverdome in 2001, everything was up for grabs, and Gonzales seized the opportunity. He filled a 17-foot moving truck with a piece of turf from the 10-yard line, including what he believes might be bloodstains from players, along with memorabilia like seats, chairs, light fixtures, and ceiling tiles. “You could not have put another screw in that truck,” said Gonzales, the 2023 Detroit Lions Fan of the Year.
His home is a shrine to the team, adorned with autographed jerseys of legends like Barry Sanders, Billy Sims, and Lem Barney, along with framed photos, bobbleheads, and trinkets. “Being a Lions fan is not easy—it’s been hard,” Gonzales admitted. “We’ve had some horrible years, and some terrible things have happened, but we’re overcoming that. And we now have a historic team. This team is like no other that we’ve ever seen.”
The Detroit Lions’ rise to prominence is not just a sports story—it’s a symbol of the city’s broader transformation. And for fans like Gonzales, it’s a moment that has been a long time coming.
