Detroit Free Press

Being a Detroit Lions fan is a labor of love — and an exercise in futility. How else can you explain the thousands of fans who buy season tickets and pack Ford Field on Sundays in the fall, wearing tutus or crazy hats or a 20-year-old jersey because, ya know, Barry Sanders? Sure, that’s NFL fandom. But ask any Lions fan about their road to fandom, and you’ll hear a story of survival. That’s what 10,000 days without a playoff win will do to you. So, in honor of you, Lions fans, here are your stories, which were submitted to the Free Press and edited for space:

Five men ... and a baby

My earliest memories of being a Lions fan were as a 9-year-old during the ’93 season when the Lions defeated Green Bay in Week 17 to win the division title, then lost to them the next week in the wild-card round. But this isn’t about all the negative. This is about the traditions that bring this fan base together. I never really had a routine for watching Lions games growing up. But in 2012, a few of my friends bought houses in the same neighborhood, and one weekend my friend Ben invited me to his new house for the Lions game.

More:This Brother Rice teen takes Lions superfandom to new level, losses be damned

There were only three of us that first Sunday, and with every Lions touchdown, we would sing “Gridiron Heroes,” the Lions’ fight song. Our tradition was born. Now, before the first game of each season, the Lions memorabilia makes its way out of storage. The Calvin Johnson, Matthew Stafford, and Barry Sanders starting lineups replace the other memorabilia on the wall. The Lions banner replaces the curtain to the laundry room. The Matthew Stafford candle is brought out (yes, some company actually sold candles with Stafford on them). The fight song is prominently displayed on the wall. Are we superstitious?

You bet. After losing to the Chiefs in London in 2015, we were extremely frustrated. The team was 1-7 and we had all gotten up early to watch them get blown out. Vows were written and a campfire was lit. As Ben read the vows, an old Lions jersey was placed over the fire. We called it the Lions Genesis. The team went 6-2 the rest of the season. Our original three is now a usual six and sometimes more. We welcomed the first baby to the group last season and hopefully it won’t be the last. It’s tough being a Lions fan, but at least it’s an excuse to share some good food and laughs with your friends. Thank you to Ben, Dave, Bill, Pete, and Moe for all the good times.

Mitch Davis, 34, of Dearborn

From Europe, with love (for the Lions)

I was born in Detroit on August 17, 1957, so I have never seen the Lions win a championship, but I have remained a true fan throughout all these years. In 1981, I joined the Army and went to Germany in the summer of 1982. I have spent most of the last 37 years in Germany, either as a Soldier or a civilian employee of the Army.

My wife, Ursula, and my children, David and Maria-Elaine, are also Lions fans. We have special Lions shirts for the whole family. For us to watch the games, I have NFL Game Pass. The games either start at 7 p.m. our time for the early games, 10:30 p.m. for late games and 2 or 3 a.m. for night games.

One of my favorite Lions moments is from 2014, when we went to the Lions vs. Falcons game at Wembley Stadium in London. Detroit won on the last-second field goal with the second try after a penalty.

I also worked at the Silverdome to support my mother and our church in the late 1970s. I worked in one of the concession stands preparing drinks for the customers while my mother and other church members worked the registers. This job allowed me to watch parts of the games on the closed-circuit TV system.

I have been to Lions games in Tiger Stadium, the Silverdome, Ford Field and Wembley.

I am looking forward to this year, and although the national media is not giving the Lions much of a chance for anything, I believe they can go from worst to first.

Matthew Wheeler, 61, of Germersheim, Germany

Sprints with Lem

In 1971, I was 10 years old and went to a Ford-sponsored punt, pass, and kick event during Lions training camp. Lions players were positioned around the field, explaining their jobs at their positions and signing autographs. Toward the end of the program I was waiting for Lem Barney for an autograph, and suddenly over the public-address system they instructed everyone to leave the field. With my head down and feeling terrible, I started to walk away until Lem said: “Everyone except you! You race me to the goal post and win, you can have my autograph.” I was maybe 4 feet tall with short legs. My dad said it was one of the funniest things he had ever seen. My legs going a hundred miles an hour and I was barely moving. Needless to say he let me win and signed my football for me. From that day, I became a die-hard fan for life.

Raymond “Tab” Coseo, 57, of Rogers City

[ Lem Barney's rise began 51 years ago. ]

Blackouts and rabbit ears

I was 10 years old when the Lions won it all. There was no Super Bowl in 1957, but there was an NFL Championship. My dad was joyous. He was not an outwardly emotional man — but he was on that occasion.

One memory that always comes to me is watching the Lions home games on TV. We lived in Trenton. Downriver Detroit. A trip to watch the Lions in person was a rare and special treat. At that time, the Lions blocked out telecasts of home games, presumably to enhance attendance. There was no cable TV back then, but my dad figured out a way to pick up Channel 6 out of Lansing. This was during my high school years.

Dad would stand in the den, eyes glued to the TV. My sister Diane would be on the porch, with the front door open. I would get on the roof of our ranch home. “Careful! Careful!” My mother would chide. My job was to adjust the antenna. Turn it some, my dad would say. No, the other way. A little more. Too much, back a little. Now just a tiny bit. I couldn’t hear him, of course. My sister had the job of relaying the instruction from Dad. It was a process, but we’d get there if we were patient. And we were.

The result was a somewhat blurry, but very watchable picture. The sound was perfect. We could hear Van Patrick very well, especially in the fourth quarter, when we thought we could detect the sounds of something being poured over ice, or perhaps a beer being opened. The scene played out every other week (the Lions’ road games were all broadcast). Of course, at the end of the game, the process was reversed. I’d get back on the roof, so we could restore access to the four stations we normally received — CBS, NBC, ABC, and of course Canadian Broadcasting out of Windsor.

Michael Burton, 72, of Grand Rapids

Loyal. Lioness. Tutu.

My nickname is Loyal Lioness Tutu. I wear a big blue wig with Mickey Mouse ears with Lions logos on them and blue fuzzy boots, bright blue lipstick, silver glitter, blue eye shadow and a giant tutu. I used to go to games with my father as a young girl in my ballet tutu, so when my father passed away a few years ago I decided to bring it back as an adult. I am a member of the Tubgaters and The Blue Crew that tailgates at Eastern Market. I have a Lions Christmas tree in every room during the holidays, and my dogs wear Lions bows and bandannas.

My wedding is coming up in 2020 and my plan is to be married on the field during halftime (still working out the details). My dress will be white with Lions logos. My bridesmaid dresses will be blue with Lions logos. I want Roary, the Lions’ mascot, to be by my side. If it doesn’t happen, I will do my wedding at Eastern Market on a Sunday before a game. Lastly, I was asked a while back to give a quote that defines me: “I am a loyal lioness that will support my squad till the casket closes.”

Tracy Sekula, 53, of Sterling Heights

[ Fan-demonium! Inside the pumped-up Lions tailgate scene at Eastern Market ]

A shrine to the Lions

I was almost 13 years old when I read about the Lions drafting Chris Spielman in the second round in 1988. He was too small and too slow to be any good. As I watched him overcome those labels that fall, he became my new football hero. The next year when Barry was drafted, I was all in! The players and the game became larger than life to me. Soon hats, towels, mini-helmets and other collectibles would be placed throughout the living room for every game. It wasn’t enough to just watch a game, I wanted to create an environment. Eventually, these items were called my “Lions Shrine.” Over the years, the shrine has been in houses, bars, and my college dorm’s common TV room, to name a few places. I would not watch a Lions game without having a part of the shrine with me. My “Lions Shrine” was even welcomed in my marriage.

Jeff “Spanky” Amlotte, 43, of Sparta

Starter jacket of destiny

I’ve lived in a New York City suburb my whole life, but I’ve been a die-hard Lions fans since 1995, when an older kid I looked up to at school had a Lions Starter jacket. As I began to watch the Lions, I fell in love with Barry Sanders and became a lifelong fan. His flashy running style juxtaposed with his humble demeanor struck a chord with me. I’ve been asked countless times “why?” or “how?” or “what’s wrong with you?” To which I always reply: “Barry Sanders.” Leaving out that a lifetime of heartache started with a Starter jacket in middle school. As for that kid I looked up to, I did find out he never was actually a Lions fan! He doesn’t know what he’s missing. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

CJ Gelardo, 37, of White Plains, N.Y.

Part of a family again

Like a scientist attempting to discover the origins of a deadly virus — because let’s face it, being a Lions fan is a sickness, a disease — I had to start at the beginning. It was Nov. 23, 1978, Thanksgiving Day. My stepfather, Jim, who at the time was my mother’s boyfriend, was over for dinner and while my mother was working her magic in the kitchen to produce a meal fit for a king, Jim sat me down to watch the Lions’ annual Thanksgiving game. What resonated with me most was that a male figure had taken an interest in me — my parents had recently divorced — and had taken the time to explain football to me. And since I had trouble understanding the game, it’s likely I acted like a brat, yet Jim was undeterred. The Lions won that day, but that’s not what I remember most — the feeling that I was part of a family again.

Jamal Hayden, 50, of Brooklyn, N.Y.

Blame Ohio for Lions' woes

Being a Lions fan is pain and deception. Smoke and mirrors. Because it’s not just losing (which is A LOT) that makes being a Lions fan hard, it’s “how” it happens when we need to win. It happens in the most astronomical of ways. The Calvin Johnson rule. Taking the wind. The playoff game against Dallas, or Seattle. I can go on and on, but whoever reads this knows I don’t have to go on. That repeated gut punch. The fact that the team was founded in Ohio might have something to do with all the cosmic (expletive) covering this team. Started on tainted ground. Yet, I’m still here. I’m still here because being a Lions fan is strength. Being a Lions fan is endurance. Being a Lions fan is toughness. Most of all, it’s a family.

Dan Douglass, 41, of Flint

A playoff win in a strange land

As a 16-year-old who grew up watching cricket, the U.S. felt like an alien place. I quickly attached myself to the Detroit Lions, Red Wings and the Pistons. My relatives had warned me about the misery of being a Lions fan, but my trust in them was full. In 1991 they repaid it by demolishing the Cowboys, 38-6, riding the arm of Erik Kramer. Yes, we lost badly to Washington the next game, but my faith in them was cemented. Post-1991, the only thing I had to look forward to were Wayne Fontes’ sweaters, and the individual brilliance of Barry Sanders, Herman Moore, Eddie Murray and Jason Hanson, among others. I am back in India now and still stay up late to watch many of their games.

Pranav Shah, 47, of Bangalore, India

Blue October ... and Matthew Stafford

As the bassist for the alternative rock band, Blue October, I’ve played all over the world and shared the stage with legends like Kiss, The Rolling Stones and Aerosmith, played festivals like Lollapalooza and had several late-night TV appearances such as “The Tonight Show,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” Saying I’m blessed is truly an understatement.

One thing everyone knows about me is that I’m a MASSIVE Lions fan. Die-hard. I grew up in Traverse City, and my family and I always loved watching Barry Sanders tear it up at the Pontiac Silverdome. When I moved to Austin, Texas, in late 1998 to join Blue October, I took my fandom with me. I was excited about Texas but I LOATHED the Cowboys. When the times got tough (and I mean reeeeal tough) for my team — I clung on even more because I love being the underdog and I relish the smack talk my peers would give me. Which was ... a lot.

I’ve attended many home and away games — usually with my wife, Regan. While on tour, I can be found on the lounge of the tour bus usually screaming at the TV every Sunday. My bandmates and some of our crew have actually caved in and started attending games and rooting them on with me just because they respect my dedication. Yeah, I get teased a lot ... and it’s all in good fun. But I take it personally when I hear real garbage talk about my favorite team. I’ve managed to get blocked on Twitter by the one and only Deion Sanders for calling him out. It’s in my blood — I can’t help it. Being a fan and loving your team is about sooooo much more than winning. It’s about bonding. It’s about family. It’s about believing that THIS could be the year.

I’ll leave you with this: Last month we were on tour and during a sound check with a group of about 50 Blue October fans, someone asked each of us who we would like to meet in person and have a meal with — alive or deceased. The answers were mostly musical icons like Peter Gabriel or Bach. I answered last, and for a moment I thought, “Maybe I should say Sting or Marvin Gaye so I’m following suit and not sounding like an idiot.” But I answered honestly, with a cautious grin on my face. “Matthew Stafford,” I said very sheepishly. All my bandmates laughed and shook their heads. I followed Matthew Stafford throughout his career at Georgia, and I literally prayed the Lions would take him in the 2009 draft. To this day, Stafford is my hero.

Matt Noveskey, 42, of Austin, Texas

O.J., warm turkey and pumpkin pie

Everyone in my family — and die-hard Lions fans — will always remember Thanksgiving Day 1976. The Lions had lost the previous three Thanksgiving games, the most recent one a 20-0 shutout. O.J. Simpson was playing for the Bills, which otherwise had a pretty bad team. We thought we had a chance.

Mike, my classmate at Dearborn Fordson, managed to beg the keys to his dad’s station wagon, and we set off for Pontiac. The game was early, and my family’s dinner was late, so I believed we could get to the game and back in time for dinner. We saw a great game, a 27-14 win, and a record rushing performance by O.J. We were very excited driving home. Perhaps too excited as Mike lost control of the car on some ice, and we ended up in the median facing the wrong direction.

We tried to drive out of the ditch and get back on the road, but we were stuck. One wheel was clearly not right. Back then there were no cell phones, so we had to wait for someone to report our predicament, and finally a tow truck showed up. But before it did, I hiked from the middle of I-75 to a gas station and called home from a pay phone. I told everyone we were running late but didn’t tell them why. Mike was terrified that his dad would be furious that he wrecked his car, and that somehow, once unstuck, we would still be able drive it home. We couldn’t.

To make this long story short, by the time I finally got home hours late, my mom was clearing the dinner dishes and getting the table ready for dessert. Yes, they were worried, but mostly relieved when I got home, and so they weren’t angry with me. And boy I had a great story to tell with warmed-up turkey and a piece of pumpkin pie, one none of us will ever forget!

Mark Altomare, 59, of Ann Arbor

Meet the 'BlueManeGroup'

I've heard it said that nothing brings people together like music and sports. For my group of friends and I, it's been the Detroit Lions. I grew up a Lions fan, in the Upper Peninsula; which many call Packer Country. But through the good years and bad, you stay true to your team.

About 10 years ago, myself and a few friends from college started getting together at least once a year. to reconnect for a Lions game. Those games were about the team, the experience, the trash talk and the friendships. A game or two a year, later evolved into season tickets. We then decided to include an away game each year, to visit a different town and stadium.

It was those trips that changed us. We went from proudly wearing our jerseys and lucky Lions hats to evolving into the "superfan" culture, that is seen in the stands and in the pregame tailgates. When you have one friend, Dr. Matthew Palomaki, 45, who buys an Elvis costume and dons the name, "Detroit Elvis," there's just a little pressure, to be just as creative. Since then we have made so many good, superfan friends in Detroit and other cities across the U.S. We call ourselves the "BlueManeGroup," which includes Detroit Elvis, Detroit Assassin (Tim Palomaki, 41), Motor Head (Jeff Hoskins, 49), Lion Heart (Christian Palomaki, 47) and myself, the Macho Mane.

Why do we do it, why do we cheer, why do we travel? To be honest, we have great wives who let us. We think, this just might be our year and we drink gallons of the Honolulu Blue Kool-Aid.

Gary Campioni, 47, of Flint

'Typical Lions!'

Why do I still show up? Why do I still care? I don’t but I’m going to share this story with you anyway. Growing up in suburban Detroit, I watched plenty of Lions games on Sundays and of course, on Thanksgiving. My dad, a lifelong Lions fan, would stand in front of the TV and yell “TYPICAL LIONS! TYPICAL LIONS!,” usually as they proceeded to blow it, give up leads, make stupid mistakes and successfully achieve the mediocrity that we have come to know from our hometown NFL team. When he wasn’t yelling at the TV or the radio, my dad would share stories about taking the bus to Tiger Stadium to see the Lions in the 1950s and about the Lions greats of long ago. For the sake of my dad, I hope to God they can catch lightning in a bottle one season and make it to the Super Bowl. I’d like to send my dad to the game so he can cheer his beloved Typical Lions in the Super Bowl. I’m not holding my breath.

Mike Scholl, 49, of Loveland, Colorado

Desmond Howard, then Bourbon Street

I was in New Orleans for the Lions’ 2000 season opener against the Saints on Sept. 3. After Desmond Howard’s punt return helped the Lions win and the game was over, I headed down to the bus area, which was fenced off. There, I chatted with the family of Tracy Scroggins for five or 10 minutes, when a security guard came over and let them in the players area. Wow. I was in the family only area taking pictures and shaking hands with all the players — Robert Porcher, Johnnie Morton, Cory Schlesinger, James Stewart, Herman Moore and Stephen Boyd, among others. After the bus departed, I shared a cab to Bourbon Street with Howard’s brother and celebrated the victory.

Rob Moughton, 46, of Vicksburg

Thompson's block & gallop

One of my favorite players has always been Leonard Thompson. He always gave 100%. At one point, he was returning punts as well as being the gunner covering punts. I remember him getting hit while he caught a punt and at the time he was playing with a broken jaw. As a Lions fan, we have had our hearts broken plenty of times at the end of games. But the tables were turned on Dec. 11, 1977, when Thompson blocked a Colts punt and returned it for a touchdown. Making it one of my favorite Lions games of all time.

David Fiscus, 62, of Cypress, Texas

You can't hide these 'Lions Eyes'

My name is Robert Gonzales, also known as “Detroit Lion Eyes.” My most memorable game is without a doubt our divisional championship win against the Dallas Cowboys in ’91. The Silverdome was electric, and I can remember no one sat down for almost the entire game. It was a celebration of passion and the anticipation that we may finally be on our way to that elusive finale called the Super Bowl. Of course, we know what happened the next week, but that never deterred my spirit for this team, and since that big game I look forward to that feeling of elation again each summer and fall.

Robert Gonzales, 58, of Monroe

Two jerseys and a broken heart

When Barry Sanders retired, I had his jersey that I wore every Sunday during football season. My jersey was battered after many wearings with many stains (blood or ketchup). My future mother-in-law felt bad for me and bought me a new one for Christmas in 1998. Not long after that Barry retired. He was a legend. Just short of so many records. My heart was so broken I swore never to wear the jerseys again until the Lions reached the Super Bowl. So I have two Barry Sanders jerseys, one that’s never been worn, that just hang in my closet waiting.

Larry Kraft, 52, of Farwell

Hope springs eternal

The 1980 Lions had a strong team led by Billy Sims that made fans hopeful history could be rewritten. But after a strong start, it was a heartbreaking end in a series of near-joyful moments which have been consistent throughout Lions history. Yet every season brings new hope that the Lions will find a way to bring joy and satisfaction to a fan base that continues to believe. As Stephen King once said, “Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.” As a lifelong Lions fan, I choose to keep hope alive.

Richard Twort, 50, of Long Beach, Calif.

A pilgrim's tale

In 1972, my dad took me to a Lions game at Tiger Stadium and taught me that’s who we had to root for. Since that day, I’ve been a Lions fan. When I first got season tickets in 1991, I decided to dress up like a pilgrim on Thanksgiving to see if I could get on TV or at least have some fun with the crowd. Not only did I have fun with the crowd, all day I was on national TV and in all the local newspapers. From that day on, my fame grew as year by year I continued to dress like a pilgrim.

Mark Mullins, 57, of Fenton

'A long walk in tears'

It still hurts, to this very day: December 1970, Cowboys vs. Lions, in a massive playoff game. Back then, we had an awesome defense, and Greg Landry had the offense clicking (but not on this day). The Cowboys shut us down, and Duane Thomas was killing us on the ground. Still, the Cowboys only led 5-0 when they threw Bill Munson in the game. At once, things changed. There was hope when he threw a long bomb, and it was caught in Cowboys’ territory, only to take four cracks at the end zone, as time ran out ... 5-0 final. I was devastated, utterly gutted to the extreme. I stormed out of the house, slamming the front door — my dad was outraged, and yelled at me in Ukrainian, but I didn’t care. I went for a long walk in tears. I knew we had a chance to win it all that year.

Dave Makichuk, 63, of Calgary, Alberta

The taste of victory. Yum.

It was 1957, on the eve of the NFL Championship game, vs. the Browns. This was a great team with Bobby Layne, Tobin Rote, Leon Hart, Hopalong Cassady, Joe Schmidt, Dorne Dibble, Yale Lary, et al. I was a student at the University of Detroit. The championship game was blacked out for the home team in those days. One of my fraternity brothers was from Cleveland, and he invited us to come to his house to watch the game. A few of us went there and thoroughly enjoyed the 59-14 Lions win, not so much for my fraternity brother. His mother graciously fed us a nice spaghetti dinner despite their disappointment. I’ve been a Lions fan to this day. Maybe I’ll see another championship someday.

Bob Carlisle, 80, of Grosse Pointe Woods

Thanks, Lions ... for everything

It is true the Lions once cost me a $100,000 paycheck. Staying at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for the 1998 season kickoff, I played Caesars’ full-ticket parlay bet, where for $5 you could win $100,000 if you picked every game correctly against the spread. I went 14-for-15. I lost on the Lions, who couldn’t even cover a 10½ point spread in Green Bay. Yes, I have been a Lions fan my entire life. It was a genuine love for a team that was passed down from my father, whose father passed it to him. I was recently clearing out a scrapbook when I found a letter from my father. The last part of the letter reads:

Paul, don’t you ever stop loving the Lions. I know it’s hard. But that’s what makes me love them even more. And call me crazy, but I think they’re going to be okay this year. Could you imagine if they ever went to the Super Bowl? God, it would be great.

Love you,

Dad

P.G. Cuschieri, 54, of Los Angeles

Highs and lows

At 14 years old, I took a bus down to Lions headquarters and stood in line all night long waiting to buy my ticket to the ’57 championship game. It’s not uncommon for me to cancel a vacation or miss seeing my family, who all live in California, in order to see the Lions. I was there when Chuck Hughes died on the field. I was there when Mike Utley got crippled for life. I remember fans throwing snowballs at Harry Gilmer. So much pain and suffering.

Stuart Left, 75, of West Bloomfield

Traditions with dad

I grew up in River Rouge. We started with the last game in Tiger Stadium in 1974. Then my dad, a high school football referee for 20 years and a lifetime fireman, bought three season tickets with a group of 10 friends. Me and my brother went to most games over the years. We would be there at 8 a.m. to tailgate and cook breakfast. My dad passed years ago, but I still go to road games. People all over the world love to talk Lions. So much fun as I tell them, “Wait till we win it all.”

Lou Laginess, 55, of St. Louis

A tradition is born

I am 41 years old and live in Arizona; I am a huge fan since I was young. I had a chance to jump ship when the Cardinals came to town. But I didn’t. I finally made it to Detroit in 2011, Monday night vs the Bears. I traveled with some Chicago fans but took my son, who is also a Lions fan. Needless to say, we were taunted the whole trip until the game was over. We fell in love with the city and have been to a Detroit home game every year since. We stay at the same hotel .... across from where the players stay. Holiday Inn. We have only witnessed one loss and that was vs the Vikings. And at the airport when (Joe) Lombardi was fired. We have seen wins against Seattle, Dallas, New Orleans, Cleveland, and last year Carolina. This year we are planning for the New York game. It is the first time I am bringing my daughter.

Mike Tremaine, 41, of Mesa, Arizona

Chi-town surprise

My dad and family have always been fans of our hometown teams. I followed their lead, and as time has gone on, I feel like I have invested so much devotion and emotion in the team, that I can’t stop now! As I like to say, “If it was easy, anybody could do it!” I remember the “Process of the Catch” game in Chicago. It was a beautiful day — opening day of the season. Stafford went down late, and Shaun Hill led a great comeback, culminated by what looked like the game-winning touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson. We Lions fans in the crowd went nuts — only to have our hearts ripped out, as we are so used to as fans. I remember filing out of Soldier Field, and many Bears fans consoled us, saying “Man, you guys got jobbed.”

Paul Soltysiak,, 59, of Grand Rapids