Lions fans chant, scream, embrace as team seals history-making win over Bucs

Story by

Story by
Lions fans chant, scream, embrace as team seals history-making win over Bucs

Arpan Lobo and Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press · Detroit Free Press

Mon, Jan 22, 2024 ·

13 min read

About Our Ads

Lions fans screamed and embraced one another as they celebrated the team's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, with the Lions making history as they head to next week's NFC championship game and get closer than ever to earning a chance to compete in the Super Bowl.

Ford Field was a sea of Honolulu blue swallowing a few pinpricks of Buccaneer red at kickoff, as waves of roars washed over the scene. Long-anguished Detroit Lions fans cheered on Coach Dan Campbell's squad as they faced the Bucs in a chance to make history: The game marked the first time the team has won two playoff games in a season since 1957 .

The moment is decades in the making, and fans were confident it would materialize long before the game even started.

"We needed this. It's a long time coming," said Jamal Jay Ingram, 48, of Detroit , who tailgated at Eastern Market and planned to watch the game from home. "They've been terrible since I was born, so it's about time. I guess we've got good luck right now, and a good team."

Detroit Lions fans tailgate at Eastern Market before the Detroit Lions game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024.

As fans streamed into the stadium Sunday, they were decked out in the traditional team gear, along with Lions luchador masks and hats with lion's manes and ears attached. Some of the fans in attendance were celebrities, including Michiganders Bob Seger and Jeff Daniels .

For lifelong fans, anticipation and celebration were at an all-time high. But so, too, was confidence in a team that hasn't always enjoyed that.

A win away from the Super Bowl, Lions fans are dreaming

For lifelong Lions fans, Sunday's win against the visiting Buccaneers felt euphoric – the kind of win that doesn't even feel real as you exit the stadium.

"I've been waiting my whole life for this," said Nick Haddad, of Livonia. "I was born in '95, I have literally never seen a playoff run before."

"This makes me feel like I'm top of the world."

As streams of fans, all draped in Honolulu blue and silver, poured into the Ford Field concourses after the Lions sealed victory, chants of "Let's go Lions!" and " Jared Goff !" broke out constantly. Total strangers embraced, all sharing in the revelry.

But it wouldn't be a Lions game without some (or a lot) of tension – when Tampa Bay regained possession down eight with just under two minutes left, Haddad admitted he feared the worst.

That wouldn't happen – Derrick Barnes ' clinching interception gave Haddad and over 66,000 other fans in attendance reason to cheer.

"I work in the area, and I could tell just leading up to the game, there's an energy around here," he said. "Everybody's getting together behind the Lions."

-- Arpan Lobo

Laura Borruiker, 47, of Redford, and Sam Nowrocki, 35, of Detroit, enjoy a beer as they wait on the Ford Field concourse at halftime of the game between the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

At halftime, 'I trust Dan Campbell all the way'

After the Bucs put together a commanding drive to end the first half, the tie game could leave some fans worried.

Not Sam Nawrocki.

"I trust Dan Campbell all the way," said the 35-year-old Detroit native, enjoying a beer on the concourse in between the second and third quarters. "We're going for it in the second half, no doubt."

Her friend, Laura Borruiker, 47 of Redford, felt a little less confident. But they were doing everything they could to help: both said they wore the exact same outfits they'd chosen last week, when the Lions defeated the Los Angeles Rams .

They thought the atmosphere was a little more intense during the last game, but trusted the fans would do their part in the second half.

-- Dave Boucher

Derek Kirby, of Flint, poses for a photo at halftime of the Detroit Lions vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers game on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. Kirby hoped for a more commanding second half performance from the Lions.

Others see confidence shaken

Some other Lions fans, however, weren't so sure. Derek Kirby, of Flint, wanted to see more of the Lions' trademark grit in the second half, something he said was lacking on Tampa Bay's final drive of the first half.

"They better get their stuff together," Kirby said, standing in the concourse near his gate. "They got real soft at the end to let them score in the last two minutes."

Still, Lions fans felt if they stayed true to what propelled them to the divisional round, a berth in the conference championship was still on track.

"Honestly, I feel like we can pull this off," said Reed Cortright, 27. Cortright, of Clawson, said the Detroit defense needs to do what it can to limit Tampa Bay to field goals, as he backed the Lions offense to power through in the second half.

-- Arpan Lobo

James Morningstar, 27, his nephew Gavin, 7, and his brother Jacob, 33, dyed their hair blue and shaped it into mohawks for the game. It's the first game ever for Jacob and Gavin, who came up from Kentucky for the experience. "I feel like there's helium inside of me," Jacob said.

Father and son travel from Kentucky for their first Lions game

It's almost 550 miles from Fort Campbell, Kentucky to Detroit, but Jacob Morningstar and his son Gavin had to make the trip. They could not pass up the chance to experience their first Detroit Lions game this Sunday, with a birth in the NFC championship on the line.

"Everything inside, I feel like I'm lifted up, man. Honestly, I feel like there's helium inside of me," said Jacob, 33, as they walked into the stadium around 2 p.m.

"I try not to buy into the hype that the Lions will crush, crush, crush, because I don't want to jinx anything. But man, these Lions are... solid this year."

Gavin, 7, and Jacob's brother James Morningstar, 27, of Big Rapids, died their hair blue and styled it into mohawks for the game. They're hoping the move propels the Lions to victory.

"There's no tradition here, but it might be a tradition now," James said.

-- Dave Boucher

Ron and Randi Trombetti, of Macomb, pose for a photo ahead of the Detroit Lions vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers game on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. Randi Trombetti was wearing a jacket which belonged to her grandfather, also a Lions fan.

Fans hope to break Ford Field sound record once again

Ron and Randi Trombetti, both 36, have been Lions season ticket holders since 2010. They attended the Lions win against the Rams when notably, an ear-splitting crowd set a new record for decibel levels during a Lions game, checking in at 133.6 decibels.

"We're going to break it again," said Ron Trombetti.

More than an hour before kickoff, the concourses around Ford Field were already shoulder to shoulder. Spontaneous chants of "Let's go Lions" broke out frequently, and anyone brave enough to don Buccaneer gear was greeted with a serenade of boos.

For longtime fans like the Trombettis, this playoff run still doesn't feel quite real.

"This is history in the making," said Ron Trombetti. This week, there's expectation, but it's still new for us."

"I never could have imagined that in my lifetime."

For Randi Trombetti, rooting for the Lions is a family tradition. She wore a vintage Lions jacket she said belonged to her grandfather, who was also her namesake. While her grandfather isn't here to see the Lions playoff run, Randi Trombetti said this team has sparked fond memories already.

-- Arpan Lobo

Wayne Gardner and Shannon Green pose for a photo before they head to a tailgate outside Ford Field on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, before the Detroit Lions take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gardner and Green, both lifelong Detroiters, said they were much less nervous about Sunday's game than they were when the Lions faced the Los Angeles Rams the week before.

'Brand new Lions' playoff run reminding fans why they love this team

Detroiters Shannon Green and Wayne Gardner weren't attending Sunday's game but made sure to get down to Ford Field to tailgate. For Green, this "unprecedented" Lions run has her reminiscing about why she became a Lions fan in the first place.

"It's just different for me," she said. "I'm a Lions fan because of my dad. We used to talk about the games, I took him to a few games. He's not here anymore to see this, but it's like, we have to win for him. I think about that, I'm nostalgic."

Before the Lions' victory in the Wild Card round, Detroit hadn't won a playoff game since the 1991 season. They haven't won two playoff games in a single season since 1957 – before the Super Bowl even existed.

A win against Tampa Bay would send Detroit to the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers . Gardner didn't have any nerves about the visiting Bucs though, those went away after the Lions sealed a win against Stafford and the Rams last weekend.

"I'm a Lions fan since birth," Gardner said. "I'm ecstatic, man."

-- Arpan Lobo

Predictions: Tampa Bay a tough but winnable matchup at home for Detroit Lions

Wearing a black hood and sunglasses, Jason Clinton, 45, of Milford leans on Shelby Berger, 42, of Birmingham as friends gather to tailgate ahead of the Detroit Lions game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Longtime fans cautiously confident

Longtime fans Jason Clinton and his crew were cheery and comfortable, sheltering with a handful of propane heaters, several canopies and a fully stocked bar. The 45-year-old from Milford says he's been a season ticket holder his entire life and feels cautiously confident – if a little nervous – about the Lions' chances against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers .

"Any given Sunday, right? Anything's possible. But no, Campbell will have them ready to go. Am I nervous? Yeah, just because you should be," Clinton said.

"Just gotta handle business today. Definitely nervous about that, I mean, how could you not be."

Shelby Berger, 42, of Birmingham said this level of success from Detroit is a bit surreal. But he's excited to join the 65,000-faithful fans a few rows back from midfield to cheer on his home team today.

"This is unchartered territory, in terms of how good the squad is. We're looking forward to today," Berger said.

-- Dave Boucher

From left, Quentin, Jodi, Jake and Ethan Van Woerkom pose for a photo before the Detroit Lions game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Van Woerkom family, who live in the Washington D.C. metro area, traveled to Detroit for both home playoff games this season.

DC-area family makes consecutive trips to see Lions in playoffs

Lions fans traveled from near and far to catch Ford Field's second-ever home playoff game – Jake Van Woerkom and his family attended Detroit's 24-23 victory over the Rams in the Wild Card round, and once again made the trip from the Washington D.C. metro area back to their native Michigan to see the Lions' divisional matchup against Tampa Bay.

"It was crazy. It was one of the loudest games I've ever been to," Van Woerkom, originally from Grand Haven, said before Sunday's game. Van Woerkom and family members were tossing a football around at the Rosa Tailgate north of the stadium.

After the Lions put away the Rams, Van Woerkom knew his family needed to come back again – a home game with a trip to the NFC Championship on the line was too good to pass up.

"Right after we won, we're like 'okay, guess we're coming back.'"

Van Woerkom was confident the Lions won't overlook Tampa Bay, who is coming to Detroit fresh off a blowout win against the Philadelphia Eagles , and said he expected a dominating win.

"They're a different team, they've been on fire lately. But we're a different team too," he said, recalling the Lions' 20-6 win in Tampa in Week 6.

-- Arpan Lobo

Richard L. Robinson, Jr. and Cortez Fulton, both 35 of Detroit, said they try to make it to Thomas MageeÕs Sporting House before every Lions home game. After experiencing the atmosphere at Ford Field last week during the teamÕs first playoff win in decades, the pair said they had to attend the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well.

'It's almost like every playoff game is a Super Bowl'

Despite the premier league soccer blaring from televisions at Thomas Magee's Sporting House, the bulk of the more than 100 people packed inside sported Detroit Lions gear. The bar, near Eastern Market and a few blocks from Ford Field, is the go-to pre-game tradition for Cortez Fulton and Richard L. Robinson, Jr., who ate quesadillas at the bar a few hours before kickoff.

Neither of the 35-year-old Detroiters are season ticket holders, but after enjoying the electric atmosphere of the Lions' first playoff win in decades last week, they had to spring for seats today.

"It's almost like every playoff game is a Super Bowl. The atmosphere is so great, and you know, I wouldn't want to miss it," Fulton said.

Robinson said he traveled to two away games this year, in Baltimore and New Orleans . Even as a lifelong fan, he's never felt more invested in any Lions team.

"I've been watching these games, and we were losing when I was younger, and I would still watch the game every Sunday. Every Sunday. This means a lot," Robinson said.

Neither thought the Lions would suffer a letdown this Sunday, crediting Campbell with ensuring his team was ready. In fact, Robinson was already exploring ways to make it out to California for a possible match-up with the San Francisco 49ers – if the Lions win.

-- Dave Boucher

Donna Yaldo, 39, and Nate Bazyldo, 28, pose for a photo at a pregame event in Comerica Park on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, ahead of the Detroit Lions vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers playoff game. Comerica Park hosted both a pregame event and a free watch party for the game.

Comerica Park hosts raucous pregame party

Hundreds of Lions fans piled into Tiger Hall at Comerica Park for pregame food and drinks. The venue was hosting a free watch party for fans not going to the game, but also had a party-like atmosphere as the anticipation for kickoff grew.

"The vibe is great," said Nate Bazydlo, 28, of St. Clair Shores. He was attending the game and predicted a two-score Lions victory.

Inside the venue, Trick Trick and Eminem's 2001 hit, "Welcome 2 Detroit," blared on speakers. The event's emcee, DJ Bleau, made sure to get the crowd going.

Like Bazydlo, Donna Yaldo, 39, also predicted a Lions victory. She wasn't stopping at just beating the Bucs, Yaldo went all the way and predicted a first-ever Lions Super Bowl.

"I'm mad, I'll be on a cruise and will miss the Super Bowl," said Yaldo, of Detroit. "I want to celebrate in Detroit."

-- Arpan Lobo

David Hauer, of Cleveland, poses for a photo at a fan event inside Comerica Park on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, before the Detroit Lions face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hauer, who grew up in Eastpointe, said he was feeling a bit nervous ahead of kickoff, but thought the Lions would pull through.

Nerves? What nerves?

Even in a sea of Lions fans, David Hauer's outfit managed to stand out – Hauer stepped into a fan event in Comerica Park in a Honolulu blue suit adorned with the Lions logo from head to toe.

He's been a Lions fan for 45 years. Hauer grew up in Eastpointe, but made the trip to Detroit from Cleveland for Sunday's game. Having seen plenty of Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield during Mayfield's time with the Cleveland Browns , Hauer admitted to being a bit nervous.

"I've been a Lions fan since kindergarten, I just think I've seen us lose too many big games," Hauer said. "Baker feeds into this stuff."

Still, despite the nerves, Hauer said he was proud of his team. He said back in Cleveland, he tells friends and coworkers of how Campbell has turned around the perception of the team.

"I was in 11th Grade when we last won a playoff game," he said. "It's validating, we can do this."

-- Arpan Lobo

Scott Shephard and his wife,Brittany, were a hit at the Eastern Market tailgate scene, as fans stopped them for photos. Scott said he and a friend made the helmet and he wore it for the first time ahead of the Lions game against the Los Angeles Rams. "That's why they won," he said.

Giant helmet is one fan's new superstition

"Where are you sitting!" the woman yelled at Scott Shephard, looking at the 36-year-old in awe.

Shephard, smiling underneath a massive home-made Detroit Lions helmet, smiled.

"Right in front of you!" he yelled, the pair laughing.

Shepard and his wife Brittany, 36, both of Willis, were a hit at the Eastern Market tailgate scene. Fans constantly stopped the pair, wearing blue and silver overalls similar to those seen on the famous Big Boy mascot. Others wanted a picture with Scott and his helmet.

"A buddy and I made it. It used to be for U of M, we painted it for the Lions game," Scott Shephard said. "We wore it last weekend, and that's why they won."

The pair planned to watch the game at a nearby bar, and had total confidence in their team.

-- Dave Boucher

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions fans chant, scream, embrace as team makes history

Mobilize your Website

View Site in Mobile | Classic

Share by: