The success of the Lions was expected and not shocking.
Yes, there have been moments of glory here and there, such as the early 1980s when the Lions made it to the playoffs twice in a row under the leadership of Heisman Trophy winner Billy Sims (the first overall choice in the 1980 NFL Draft). Sadly for Sims and Lions supporters, Joe Montana and the 49ers were dominating the NFC, and Detroit lacked the ability to overtake them. After just a few seasons, Sims’ career would end due to a knee injury.
And there was the NFC Championship game in 1991. The Lions were in the early stages of the Barry Sanders era, but they fell to the eventual champion Washington Redskins when quarterback Erik Kramer botched the team’s chance at the Super Bowl. The Lions would need to wait more than thirty years to return to such heights.
The Lions’ arrival in San Francisco on Sunday marks the end of a three-year rebuilding process that saw them part with their beloved head coach Dan Campbell, trade superstar quarterback Matthew Stafford, and, most importantly, hoard first- and second-round draft picks that they would use to acquire players like Aidan Hutchinson, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs.
I don’t pretend to be an NFL prophet, but it would have been simple and predictable for the Lions to blow the chance that was presented to them in January 2021. Because of this, it gives me even greater satisfaction to repost this piece that I wrote and had published in February of 2021.
Whatever transpires in San Francisco on Sunday, Lions supporters have a lot to be happy about and a lot to anticipate.
The Huron Daily Tribune first published the following piece on February 1, 2021:
It’s easy to find optimism for the Detroit Lions during the dog days of summer.
For those who don’t mind being called out for “drinking the blue Kool-Aid,” the next season always appears full of potential as the Lions prepare for training camp.
One of those fans that would chug-a-lug Honolulu Blue used to be me. Every Labor Day weekend, I would proudly wear my Matthew Stafford jersey to the fantasy draft in the hopes that the next year would be different. It became brutally clear that they wouldn’t be in due course, generally within six weeks or less. Perhaps we might aim for victory on Thanksgiving. Playoffs? Continue to dream.
