DETROIT – I’ve been a Detroit Lions fan my whole life. I’m not ashamed to say it, but I am always pretty bummed when the season ends as a losing season. We’ve only been to a playoff game four times in the last 20 years - 1999, 2011, 2014 and 2016 – all losses. The last time we WON a playoff game was in 1991 against the Cowboys. We went on to lose in the second round. To top it off, we’re one of only 12 NFL teams without a Super Bowl win. (Bengals, Bills, Browns, Cardinals, Chargers, Falcons, Jaguars, Panthers, Texans, Titans, Vikings and the Lions).
What more can we do?! We’ve changed coaches several times over the years (who can forget the 0-16 year under Rod Marinelli in 2008, an NFL first), swapped out players, made front office moves and even edited the logo…but nothing seems to fix the problem.
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The Detroit Lions are too often called the “losing Lions,” the “same old Lions” or the “unlucky Lions.” The Lions name is never attached to anything positive around Detroit, so maybe it’s time for change. A fresh start. Let’s lose the Lions name.
How the Lions got their name
In 1934, radio exec George Richards bought the Portsmouth Spartans and moved them to Detroit. He then renamed the team the Detroit Lions. Some say the Lions name was to pair up with Detroit’s winning baseball team, the Tigers, who won the American League pennant that year. According to CNN, the team once explained it as, “the lion is the monarch of the jungle, and we hope to be the monarch of the league.” Well, we’ve been more like the cowardly lions of the league.
Name ideas
If the name were ever to change, it should be up to those die-hard Lions fans. It should honor the city that has supported them through all these losing years. But what would work for this fresh start?
One of my co-workers suggested calling them the Detroit Exhaust Pipes – because it’s exhausting being a Lions fan. That’s the wrong attitude (you know who you are).
I asked around the newsroom and here are some suggestions:
- Chuck Jackson: The Prairie Dogs (they’re always running from everything) or the Slugs or the Gnats (he doesn’t care much for the Lions, can you tell?)
- Randy Henry: The Cubs (more like baby lions)
- Greg Robinson: The Kitty Cats
- Kassandra Grant: The Squirrels
- Ben Macioce: The Pretenders
- Ian Vickers: The Mustangs
As you can see, not a lot of love for our Detroit Lions. I do really like where Local 4 News Today producer Ian Vickers is going with the Detroit Mustangs. Some Detroit muscle, a familiar name, a tie to the Ford family. What’s not to love?
Maybe all of our teams need a name change? The Tigers have been declawed, the Pistons are breaking down and what’s a Red Wing anyways?
My vote goes for the Detroit Mustangs (never going to happen).
Here’s what we’re working on for Friday, December 6th on Local 4 News Today --
All Morning – Weekend Weather
Friday will start cloudy, but skies will become at least party cloudy (and possibly mostly sunny) by afternoon. Highs in the mid to upper 30s (3 degrees Celsius). Mostly clear Friday night, with lows in the mid 20s (-4 degrees Celsius). We’ll also be diving deep into the weekend weather and beyond.
- Get the full forecast here
All Morning - Weekend Construction
Another weekend of construction around Metro Detroit. One big one is on I-75 in Southwest Detroit. Some bridge demolition with take place to make room the Gordie Howe International Bridge. Kim DeGiulio will also be keeping an eye on the roads all morning and help you plan around the projects.
- Check traffic conditions in your neighborhood here
6:10 a.m. - Fitness Friday
Fitness equipment is a hot item on many people’s holiday lists this year. Friday, Rhonda will take us to a local place that has some pretty cool gear is offering deals for Local 4 viewers.
6:40 a.m. – Your Neighborhood
Evrod Cassimy will take us inside a place that’s providing emergency services for domestic violence and sexual assault victims. It’s become a haven for clients encouraging them to live without fear.
ICYMI
❓Today’s Trivia Retake❓
Every weekday morning at 6 a.m., we ask you a trivia question on Local 4 for a chance to win a prize.
- Thursday Question: Where was Walt Disney born?
- Answer: Chicago, Illinois
- Be sure to watch daily at 6 a.m. and click this link to enter for a chance to win.
National Days: December 6th
- National Pawnbrokers Day
- National Microwave Oven Day
- National Gazpacho Day
- St. Nicholas Day
- Miners' Day
- Faux Fur Friday
History Highlights: December 6th
- In 1790, Congress moved to Philadelphia from New York.
- In 1865, the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, abolishing slavery, was ratified as Georgia became the 27th state to endorse it.
- In 1923, a presidential address was broadcast on radio for the first time as President Coolidge spoke to a joint session of Congress.
- In 1973, House minority leader Gerald R. Ford was sworn in as vice president, succeeding Spiro T. Agnew.
Celebrity Birthdays: December 6th
Celebrating a birthday Friday? Submit a Sunshine Award here and we could say your name on Local 4 News Today during our 6 a.m. show.
Here’s who you’re sharing a birthday with –
- Singer Frank Beverly of Maze is 73.
- Actress JoBeth Williams is 71.
- Actor Tom Hulce is 66.
- Actor Kin Shriner is 66.
- Talk-show host Wil Shriner is 66.
- Comedian Steven Wright is 64.
- Director Judd Apatow (”The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” `’Knocked Up”) is 52.