Detroit — At 3 p.m. on Sunday, five hours and 20 minutes before kickoff of the season opening game, the city center had become a hotbed of Lions fans.
Sidewalks and restaurants were swarming with groups of people wearing Honolulu blue or the new black and blue jerseys. Parking lots, which cost between $60 and $80 a day, were mostly full. And many fans said they were confident the Lions would make it to the Super Bowl.
“It feels really weird, I have to admit. But I’m more optimistic than nervous about attending the Super Bowl,” said Shane Gibson of Oxford. He and his wife, Kelly, were among the people standing in the street in the parking lot of the Detroit Opera House, about three blocks from Ford Field. Both venues have seen many dramatic performances, and many have ended in tragedy. The Gibsons are no exception: They have been Lions season ticket holders for 15 years.
Their faith never wavered, they said. “I love the Lions. I grew up with them,” Shane said. “Even when they lost a lot of games, I always thought the next season would be better.”
Now is the season when many analysts say the Lions are serious contenders to make it to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. In the crowded Opera House parking lot on this bright, warm September day, many Lions fans had high expectations.
“You can’t help but be at least cautiously optimistic,” said Mark Wilson, a three-year season ticket holder with his son, Ryan Wilson. “Ever since Matt Patricia left the building and Dan Campbell took over, we believed in it,” Ryan said, referring to the team’s head coaches. The first season didn’t go so well (the Lions had a 3-13-1 record in Campbell’s first season as coach) and the skeptics began to speak out.
“After last season, people think we’re pretty smart now,” Ryan said.
But it’s about more than just wins and losses, Mark said.
“This is it,” he said, pointing to his son as they both sat on folding chairs drinking beer. The parking lot was full of people in a party mood. That’s why they come hours before every Lions home game.
“It’s great to have this time,” Mark said.
Mike and Jennifer Zanin say the Lions’ win came at a great time in their lives. It was when their children were out of the house, which meant the Grand Blanc couple could buy season tickets and even travel to some away games.
They show their enthusiasm in other ways, too. Zanin becomes Captain Kneecap, a costumed alter ego of himself as a Lions superfan that he first unveiled at last year’s season opener in Kansas City. He wears a Honolulu blue wig, a tank top and football pants.
“He takes longer to get ready than I do,” said his wife, Jennifer, who often wears a Honolulu blue tutu. “He started covering himself in glitter last night” for his look at the Lions game.
“He spent a lot of time out of season looking for the right boots,” she said. Mike proudly emphasized, “I made the belt myself.”
They said tailgating was an important part of the ritual.
“Now that we’ve made it to the Super Bowl, it’s even better,” Mike said.
