Dear Detroit Lions,
Sunday night could not have gone worse for either you or us. Once again, as has become the theme over recent decades, you disappointed us (the fan base) by losing to the Green Bay Packers, on national television, and backed your way into the playoffs. Yes, right from the outset let’s get it out of the way: at least you are in. That’s good enough right? Sure, if you appreciate mediocrity, it’s fantastic. If you are a fan of participation trophies, you were poppin’ bottles Sunday at dusk when you clinched a playoff berth.
You could make the argument that anything can happen now that you’ve made the dance, and it’s a fair point, but don’t we as fans, and as the city of Detroit, deserve more? For a town that built the auto industry, gave the world Motown music, and has celebrated various championships from our other sports teams, don’t we deserve a little more than just backing into the playoffs?
Think of it like this, with three games left – granted they were difficult games – you had a two-game lead in the division. We witnessed, over the last four games, a complete collapse. Losers of three out of four, surrendering the division to the dreaded Packers and hoping and praying that Washington threw us a bone. Luckily (or unluckily), your game was flexed to the Sunday Night Game, so our spot was clinched before kickoff; but could you imagine what the entire city of Detroit would have been like if we hadn’t been flexed? Had you played an early game and gotten torched by Aaron Rodgers, we all then would have had to wish upon our luckiest star that the Redskins didn’t pull another “how do you like that” moment, and knock us out. All when three weeks prior you controlled your own destiny.
The Lions fan base is by far one of the most loyal and dedicated fan bases around football. We have been there for you through an 0-16 season, Matt Millen, and Marty Mornhinweg; not to mention not a single Super Bowl appearance. Hell, my dad wasn’t even alive the last time you won a National Football League Championship. So go ahead, be glad you’re in; I just think, no I know, we as fans want more.
Signed,
Faithful since 1986
