The Roots

My family has a storied history being Detroit Sports fans. A story that began when my grandfather moved from Pittsburg, PA., to the Detroit area sometime after his time in the Army during World War II.  It was understandable that any hard working man would want to seek out the best opportunity to start his roots. After World War II, Detroit was leading the country’s economy, where he was able to put his feet back on solid ground and start a family.

Between 1948 and 1967 the auto industry was at its economic peak. By 1950, Detroit had become the fifth largest city in the United States, home to two million people. A class of hard working, blue collar people that helped shape America after one of the most challenging times our country and the world had faced.

Working in the restaurant industry after the war, my grandfather became known as one the better chefs in the Metro Detroit area. After managing, owning his own restaurants, he would later take a corporate position with the new GM Renaissance Center, sometime after 1981. He was blessed to have worked with so many inspiring and influential people inside this iconic building. People that helped shape his future, and the futures of his family. My grandfather was often gifted tickets to sporting events. He had the opportunity to meet and converse with executives, and former athletes of Detroit sports teams. This is where his new found love for Detroit Sports began.

Detroit Sports Finest

Detroit enjoyed athletic achievements from all hometown sports venues throughout the 1930s. After the Detroit Tigers won the World Series, and the Detroit Lions won the NFL Championship in 1935. The Detroit Red Wings won the Stanley Cup in 1936. The “City of Champions” moniker stuck on the city. Since then, Detroit Sports has been blessed with many amazing seasons, and suffered a great amount of underwhelming seasons.

The Tigers won the World Series championship four times, in 1935, 1945, 1968, and 1984, eleven (11) American League pennants, four (4) American League Central division championships, and several division titles. 

The Red Wings made the playoffs 30 times through 2016, including 25 straight from 1990 to 2016, winning the Stanley Cup in 1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008. The Detroit Pistons have appeared in the NBA Finals seven (7) times, with five (5) appearances while in Detroit; 1988, 1989, 1990, 2004 and 2005, making the playoffs 41 times with their last playoff game in 2019.

The Lions have won four championships, with the first one against the New York Giants in 1935, and defeated the Cleveland Browns in 1952, 1953, and 1957. There were many memorable seasons to follow, with playoff appearances in 1960-1962,1970, 1982-1983, 1991, 1993-1995, 1997, 1999, 2011, 2014 and 2016.

Detroit Sports Reel You In                                 

My grandfather quickly became enamored with Detroit, the deep rooted culture, and the iconic sports scene that Metro Detroit had to offer. He attended 100s of Detroit sports venues, and when he could not attend, he was often found listening to games in his rocking chair. As my father grew into sports, my grandfather would surround him with the fundamental building blocks that a team sport provides. My father attended Pontiac Central High School, playing hockey, baseball, football, and swim.

Together they celebrated all the victories, the good, the bad and the ugly that each season brought forth. The two them could often be found attending Tigers games. With one of their best memories at the 1984 world series watching Tigers legends like Alan Trammel, Jack Morris, Lance Parrish, Kirk Gibson, Chet Lemon, and “Sweet Lou” Whitaker.

As an avid hockey player it was only fitting that the two would attend Red Wing games as often as they could. Somehow my father was always in the right place as he was able to meet star players like Gordie Howe, Alex Delvecchio, and others. After a game my father was given a game used stick, signed by the legend Gordie Howe himself.

They attended Lions games every season, including the final game played at Tigers Stadium on Thanksgiving Day in 1974, when the Lions lost 31-27 to the Denver Broncos. The Lions opened the Silverdome in 1975, and for the 1st time my grandfather purchased season tickets and the Rock Family Traditions were born.

The Beginning Of Family Tradition

When I was four years old, I attended my 1st Lions game in 1984, joining the family tradition of Detroit Sports. Traveling from the Grand Rapids area at that time, we drove over to (grandpa’s) house on a Friday afternoon in West Bloomfield. Together with my grandfather on Saturdays, we would prepare the game day meals.

Little did I know that a tailgate would become my 1st real memory as a Lions fan, thus emerging as the 1st Rock family tradition when attending a Lions game. We parked in a gated parking lot, out came the chairs, a cooler and a football. The neighboring tailgate fans rejoiced in football conversation and excitement for the day, or a bit inebriated for the days event, it was hard to tell at times. We played catch, ate our early lunch and began walking over to the stadium about an hour before game time.

After crossing the walking bridge and entering the stadium gates, I was now standing inside the Silver Dome. What a magical moment for any child to experience, minus the trough style bathrooms. Perched atop my grandfathers shoulders, we paraded through the tunnels to our seats. The crowd noise of 80,000 plus fans hits you like a blast of wind, the smell of concessions, the rush of excitement when the players took the field, and then stadium wave all left lasting impressions in my memory bank. The #Silverdome was nothing like what #FordField is today. It seemed as though no matter where you sat, the field seemed so far away and the players unrecognizable.

A Site For Young Eyes

My grandfather was always prepared, he reached below his seat where he stashed a little green case, one that I never noticed during the walk. He began to clue me in on the 2nd Rock family tradition while attending a #DetroitLions game. The little green case was opened, and a funny shaped metal tube like contraption was placed in my hand. As he laced the strap around my neck, and showed me how to use this thing, a whole new game was brought to my eyes.

You guessed it, binoculars, these were my new favorite toy, and good luck getting them back! I was enthralled with the way the players looked up close, with their massive size, blood and sweat dripping down their foreheads and arms. It was a whole new way and meaning to watching football. This was especially true later in the 90’s, when a future #LionsLegend & Hall OF Famer Barry Sanders began darting all over the field. You could barely keep your eyes on him, but when you could, it was special to watch.

Listening In

After learning the ropes with the binoculars, my grandfather brought me in on another secret to the 3rd Rock family tradition. It was then another case was opened, this time a little black one. Out came funny looking foam circles attached to a piece of round silver metal and over my ears they went. A silver hand device followed, and I was now listening to the local radio broadcast on a portable AM/FM radio. This was an invaluable piece of equipment to stay up on the games progress and developments. The local radio hosts were in the suites doing the play by play and had the insider information to injuries, penalties, and game play that you didn’t get while in the stadium.

This may be a shock to some, but at the games back then we did not have smart phones or fantasy football. We did not have the luxury of checking every occurrence or play by play covering every detail during the game on dozens of websites and apps. We relied on binoculars and a radio to be well informed fans.

After the game we were able to go onto the field. I do not remember exactly how this all went down or how we were able to do this, but none of that mattered at this age anyway. I was ecstatic and the next thing you know I was standing with Gary Danielson, Eric Hipple, and sharing the same turf that Billy Sims shredded. After getting autographs and pictures I do not think the smile left my face for a week, my fandom for the Detroit Lions was now cemented. How could I ever root for another team after having such an amazing experience? I couldn’t, I haven’t, and I won’t!

The Tradition Continues

As I grew older the experiences only got bigger and better. We would gather early on game days, stay late and plan entire weekends around the game day festivities. Sundays evolved into weekends, traveling to opposing stadiums, Canada, visiting notable places and learning more about the city of Detroit. Attending a rare double header for Tigers baseball and Lions football on the same day. Visiting well known bars and restaurants where memories have been made by Detroit sports fans for generations. 

Our tailgates grew into full thanksgiving dinners in Metro Detroit parking lots and later the Columbia street parking lots next to Tigers Stadium. Where frying turkey and making Aunt Bettys casserole became the hits of the party. Cracking an adult beverage or drinking hot spiked cider was always OK at 9am on gamedays. Fans of both teams would gather around or wander to and from each tailgate sharing a meal like family. Rivalry was bedamned on this day until gametime. We could talk about football, and some would talk about life. Becoming great friends from a chance meeting and longing for that rivalry game every season to do it again. Tailgating quickly became a tradition that had grown into something just as important as the game itself.

Even when we could not make a game, we planned our Thanksgiving dinners around the 1230 kickoff. Making sure not to burn the turkey and having everything ready by halftime. The one game that the Lions have been guaranteed with national attention was our day as a fan and a family, reminiscing about all the prior seasons spent at the games. A day that we had the best of all worlds in one place. Tradition, family, football and giving thanks for all that we have beyond the tradition of the Detroit Lions.

You Had To Ask Why?

I am often asked why after so many seasons as a fan would anyone stay with a team that seems to constantly disappoint and bring about so much heart ache and pain? The sheer cost alone is enough to walk away from being a season ticket holder, and being the brunt of everyone’s jokes in the NFL is a close 2nd.

The answer is simple, it began with Family & Tradition. Two reasons that will always remain at the core of my love for the Detroit Lions. Family & Tradition have been essential elements in my life and an honor to pass down to my children and hopefully theirs for generations to come. The game is bigger than itself when it involves a way of affecting people with deeper meaning and providing meaningful memories that date back to your childhood days. For some fans, they may no longer have that special person in their life that began the tradition, holding on to and reliving special memories every game day, is enough to stick with the team that gave you that opportunity to enjoy the people you hold close to your heart.

You see, the game of football or any sport can bring together family, friends and loved ones. It can create friendships from the most unlikely of places. We put away our worries in life for those 3 hours of fun and excitement on gameday. We follow closely in the off season when we need something to cling to. For me, the loss of my grandfather left me with memories of our best times and those times often involved the Lions. I challenge you to think back to your 1st memories as a sports fan, and you just might find that there is a bigger meaning to it all.

Passing The Torch

I began to continue the tradition with my children. I made sure not to work on Sundays as these days were meant for fall traditions. We watched every game together as often as possible. By age 5 my boys attended the Detroit Lions summer camps or season ticket training camp days. Training camp was an event we attended every year. Being able to meet the players at the meet and greet tents, get pictures and autographs was larger than life itself to these young athletes. This annual tradition brought so much happiness and bonding between us that we will always cherish.

Training camp had a profound meaning to their decision to play football. They began playing football at an early age, and every year those memories of training camp came back, and more memories added. On Saturdays or Sundays, we would be off to their games at 9am, or sometimes double headers and back home by 1pm kickoff. It was a race to get cleaned up and get into Lions game day gear ready to enjoy a full day of food and football on the couch with dad. Win or lose, we enjoyed our days, loved every moment of being together.

It doesn’t get any more die hard than attending Lions pre-season games and special Lions events in 2021, just 9 months after I suffered a catastrophic neck & back injury resulting in multiple surgeries. As difficult as it was to walk and sit for long periods, we gutted it out together and attended a family event at Ford Field. Thankfully, we decided to go, as the rare opportunity to meet the NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, presented itself. Sitting around the 50 yard line, Roger made his way down to us and chatted for a couple minutes. After learning of our storied history as fans, he thanked us, snapped a couple photos and worked his way around the stadium meeting fans.

We should have known at this time that things would begin changing in Motown. We attended home games together and witnessed the best games the Lions had to offer in recent years. It is tough to keep the youth engaged in a team that did not win much, but being a Lions fan was something they had to learn. I know deep in my heart, they exude the #onepride life. Soon my boys will begin carrying the flame of being a Lions superfan within their hearts and pass along the tradition to their families.

The Bond, The Memories & Tradition

I began my game attendance at age 4, now 39 years later I have been involved in a season ticket club for more than 20 seasons. The tradition of attending home openers at Ford Field, countless tailgates and Lions events have bonded my family with wonderful memories. It’s not about the wins or the losses, it’s about the family traditions, that’s why.

Looking back, with so many stories to share, a few of Detroit’s finest game memories come to mind. Stafford’s late game heroics vs the Browns in 2009 with a separated shoulder may have been the grittiest play from any player I have ever witnessed. The Lions fake spike call and a Stafford called TD vs the Cowboys in 2013 still sits in my top 5 plays of all time. The electric Monday Night Bears game may have been the loudest game I have attended. The opening day game in 2022 vs the Eagles, gave all of us promise and hope for a new and brighter future ahead. What will 2023 bring? We shall see very soon.

The games are great, but nothing has ever meant more to me than being a father. As a father, we want to ensure our children grasp the meaning of life and to become good men. The game is comprised of many facets to life that we may not recognize at first just how impactful sports can be for youth development. Football stands for and teaches us about resilience, leadership, teamwork, integrity, honor, responsibility, effort, unity, overcoming adversity and commitment to thyself and team. Sharing those lessons with my sons has been an invaluable trade off as a Detroit Lions fan.

Together we have shared incredible moments watching and listening to games. There were times while traveling that the radio signal would go in and out, but we found the right spot to pull over to just sit and listen to the final seconds as Stafford finishes a 4th quarter comeback. The eruption of cheers and high fives in the car, and the smiles that lit up their faces will always be burned in my memory bank.

The conversation that seems to go on for hours about sports, planning our season of events, and how spending time together was more important than anything. Football had a considerable influence, but sports in general helped my family to create lasting bonds, friendships and traditions that have lasted now for 4 generations. Traditions that involved countless hours of travel with actual conversation that is almost nonexistent in today’s mobile world. The time spent watching & listening to games we could not attend or rewatching past games just to relive the memories and moments spent together. Then there is always the preparation of the game day feasts, spending hard earned dollars supporting our traditions and our team. We do it for the love of the game and the Lions, but the bigger picture has always been the tradition with family, bonding as fathers and sons.

A New Way Of Celebrating The Lions

What I have found over the last 10 months of developing a platform is that fans are searching for an outlet to share their passion, opinions and Looking for alternative ways to follow and engage with their team. Specifically for the Lions, there has been a major disconnect with the bigger networks and media sources properly covering the lions. The constant bashing of the Lions that has created the Detroit VS Everybody mantra. It makes it difficult to be a fan when all you hear is negativity. It was time for a change, and a time to promote the truth, provide honesty and deliver transparency about the Lions organization.

As someone who has a passion for analytics, statistics, how the game is played, tradition deeply rooted within the game of football, and the Detroit Lions. I felt my passion for the Lions would be best served giving it back to the fans of Detroit Sports. What began as a hobby sharing opinions as a fan, written as long Facebook posts. Has turned into developing a career in journalism, a new network of collaborators, and content creators. We want to do more than just cover the Lions. The bigger goal is to share our passion and energy with all 32 NFL team fanbases with purpose and intent to deliver content the right way, from the heart. We know that fans want more, deserve more, and have a voice that needs to be heard. We want to become the vehicle and to share a platform allowing important content to be seen and heard without politics.

I never envisioned myself writing and engaging fans through a blog and running social media sites. Or that sports media would consume my everyday life. I am happy that I took this leap, as so many new doors have opened and connections to fans from around the world have been made. I have 1st hand experience of just how amazing the fans of the Detroit Lions really are, and that is what needs to be shared.

Become The Next Personality For Your Team

Here at rockedonpodcastnetwork, we want to change the game, change the volume for your team, bring your traditions, memories, and opinions to life. If you are looking for a way to collaborate and want to be part of a media movement, please reach out to us. We are looking for writers, content creators, bloggers, podcasters, social media experts, and more for every NFL team. We want to bring in more sports, more podcasts and provide tangible value for all the fans around the world.

You can reach us at:  info@rockedonpodcastnetwork.com

Thank you for indulging me in the cliff notes version of my story. If you liked what you read, please share it, and feel free to reach out and leave us a comment. We are planning a full version of the biography soon.