Tests of faith come in all manners, big and small no matter what the religion or belief. Buddha. Allah. Jesus. The all-knowing Space Squid in the sky. Tough times do not discriminate, and blessings aren’t just for the ones who kneel. The city of Detroit and its residents have faced too many to count since the motor city’s origination thanks to the Model T. The magnificent stadium downtown that still bears the name of its infamous creator has been a virtual reflection of the town since its construction. A life of despair, hope and resurgence. The athletic legends have always mimicked the D’s citizens incredible grit and seemingly endless never-say-die -attitude. It loyally idolizes and self-identifies within their teams, good seasons and bad. Dan Campbell and his band of ex-baller misfits exemplified that reputation this past year becoming a moral of perseverance and belief worthy of a story from any old book.
Since the merger in the late 50’s that formed the modern NFL, the Lions have won zero Superbowl’s. Zero Conference championships. One NFC title appearance that resulted in Barry and Co getting an ass-whipping by 31 points courtesy of Mark Rypien. I remember because my heart was broken for the first time at the age of ten. I loved watching Sanders and Moore destroy the central division from a bowling alley minutes from our house since basic cable didn’t exist in the basic woods yet. Appropriately named Victories, it became a failed Indian Casino in the decades after much like the team it showed on those beer-stained projectors every Sunday. There was a stretch for 2 years where they won 2 games and became the only team in the history of the game to finish 0-16 in a single season. It was bad. Playoff runs are not built on narrow shoulders like Joey Harrington’s. They are built on sweat that turns to steel.
The real rebuilding began with the acquirement of a man who had such a resume. A former pro tight end turned intern turned assistant turned head coach all on sheer will and love of the game. The atmosphere of former players who had climbed the mountain and not just studied it on a map, reverberated from day 1 within their locker-room. Aaron Glenn, Duce Staley, Antwaan Randle El, Mark Brunell. These young Thundercat’s found themselves among grown-ass men who had walked the path instead of just knowing it. HBO Hard Knocks put them on an even bigger stage and the country embraced the team. It’s incredibly hard to not love a squad that backs up a rookie doing his best Michael impression. Just ask Shady. Shit was hilarious.
As training camp ended hopes were cautiously high, the lingering doubt of “same old Lions” still in the back of every fans mind after being let down decade after decade. Undying devotion and perseverance through the winless seasons of the past would make it all the sweeter when they finally started winning. Then, it didn’t happen. A 1-6 start made the viscous cycle seem terminally inevitable. And yet Daniel stood firm at every press conference during those 2 months wholeheartedly convinced that his men were on the verge of breaking away like Dave at the Little 500. His belief and confidence were infectious not annoying or naïve and suddenly, the Lion’s began to win games they historically would constantly lose. It started and ended with humiliating Aaron Rodgers twice as they reeled off 8 wins of the remaining 10 games, culminating with them being inches from a playoff berth and they finished with a winning record.
The second half of this season’s hottest team was led by Jared Geoff doing his best Shane Falco impression, a two headed monster in running backs Swift/Williams and an ever-improving defense of primarily rookie starters. Hutchinson combined with fellow draft picks linebacker James Houston and Malcom Rodriguez became sorely needed contributors on defense and instantly beloved local sports figures. They shattered the NFL rookie sack record as a team with 20.5 with Aidan accounting for 9.5 of them along with 3 interceptions earning him a rookie of the year nomination. The first-round pick from down the street broke franchise records, consistently making plays worthy of the blade dance.
The fact they were in contention on the last Sunday of the regular season was testament to the completion of a new mentality in Motown. The spark had grown into an inferno of genuine confidence as the Lions had finally learned how to win. It all started with Campbell. The loyalty he cultivated was created from the trust he inspired with his actions and words. They had run through the wall for him and were not disappointed on the other side of it. The prides future much like its city’s is bright. Both have had lengthy comebacks with every inch of progress earned through resilience and sheer determination. True team efforts on both fronts, but hard to deny the individual catalysts of motivation and leadership that are due sometimes to just one man. In the tale of Detroit Lions vs. everybody, his name is Dan.
The Modern Renaissance Man 
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