‘Next year’: Fans still grateful after Lions loss

DETROIT (WOOD) — Lions fans in San Francisco, Detroit and Grand Rapids watched as Detroit suffered a loss to the 49ers Sunday night. Many are still grateful for a historic postseason run and hopeful for the future.

In Detroit, thousands of Lions fans made their way into Ford Field for an NFC championship game watch party.

All day, fans used the word “euphoric” to describe the energy walking into Ford Field. The watch party, which is called “All Grit,” began at 6:30 Eastern Standard Time, the same as kickoff in San Francisco. Doors opened at 5 p.m.

“Your blood rises. The excitement is just everywhere. Everybody around. The whole city. It’s great. It’s such a wonderful feeling. It’s so good to see the city just come together with the Lions, back them 100%,” said Tracy Brzozowski as she waited in line to get into the stadium.

Although the Lions played in California Sunday night, Detroit was filled with thousands of fans, excited and ready for big game. Tickets for the event sold out in hours. On the field were four large screens for fans to watch the Lions play.

“We are feeling good. We are excited. Lions, baby. It’s been a long time. Detroit, stand up,” said one fan.

“60 years I’ve been waiting,” said Wade Somerville.

“It’s been insane. Electric. It’s a blast. No matter where you are everybody is elated, hyped, happy, ready, friendly. Just euphoric. Great vibes, great atmosphere. Everybody just wants the same thing,” said Ron Somerville.

Despite an early lead, the Lions lost to the San Francisco 49ers 34-31. Fans were disappointed but thankful for the team’s historic postseason.

“We don’t want to dwell on the loss. Detroit has come so far, especially with football — so many other things besides that — but to come together as a city has been a really big improvement for everybody downtown. People that live here, people that work here, everyone can feel it. We know we are on the come-up, so I don’t think it’s a loss, honestly,” said one fan.

“We’re going to the Super Bowl next year,” said another fan at Ford Field.

“It’s just a blessing to the whole city, I’m not going to lie. It’s a wonderful feeling. Even though we lost, ain’t nobody really mad or upset because they came a long way and they fought. That’s grit,” said a fan.

LIONS FANS IN SAN FRANCISCO

Those who got tickets to sunny California had a front row seat to the action.

“This is One Pride, baby, we never give up on the Lions!” cheered one fan at a tailgate outside the game.

“Jared Goff” chants filled the air.

“Lions fans are here in the city … you gotta think it’s been since 1991. It’s been a long time,” said another fan.

“I think what the Lions represent is like grit, honesty, passion, sacrifice. That’s what it is. You know, they’re flashy but solid. No one’s fighting, they’re great, everyone’s working hard, and the culture embodies I think what all of us represent as Lions fans,” said a fan with his face painted Honolulu Blue.

After the game, players expressed their gratitude to the fans.

“(The support of fans) meant a lot. It meant a lot. At first, we wanted to finish the job, and I just know we’ll get back. But it does mean a lot and we were very appreciative of the support that came here today as well for this game, but we gotta finish it. We gotta finish the job,” said defensive lineman Alim McNeill.

WATCHING FROM WEST MICHIGAN

In West Michigan, fans gathered at bars and restaurants, like Peppino’s in downtown Grand Rapids, to watch the game.

Last Sunday, hundreds of Lions fans packed the same restaurant and went wild as Detroit clinched its first NFC Championship berth in more than three decades.

After that night, reservations booked up immediately for this week. But Peppino’s blocks off half its space for reservations, so there was still room for walk-ins on Sunday.

Grand Rapids bars reap rewards of Lions’ playoff run

Andy Skelton, a Lions season ticket holder, was at last Sunday’s game at Ford Field and describes the crowd there as absolute pandemonium. This week, he got one of the last table reservations at Peppino’s.

As a lifelong Lions fan, a spot in the Super Bowl would mean everything after all these years. But he’s not quick to forget, the team has had a historic run already.

“Each year you don’t have many expectations when you don’t have a history to go off of. So, for them to make a run like this, regardless of the outcome, I think it’s a true testament to what this city’s been through, what Michigan alone has been through, it’s been a big few weeks for Michigan and Detroit sports overall so I think it means the world to everyone,” Skelton said.

As the once-packed crowd fizzled out after the loss, fans still showed gratitude and hope.

“No matter what happens today, this is exceptional. I just love to see we’re competing,” said fan Mario Ferrini. “It’s exceptional to see what we’ve done this far. I’m so happy and grateful for what this team has done for the state of Michigan. It’s just incredible for me to see.”

— News 8’s Jack Doles contributed to this report.

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