DETROIT – Ford Field may be the hottest spot in town, but Eastern Market is the second place to be for the Lions’ home opener.
This season, tailgaters at Eastern Market are following new rules after a deadly shooting last year. Fans must have wristbands to enter, there is no early entry allowed and lots close one hour after the game. Eastern Market is also a weapon-free zone.
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Despite the changes, the excitement and rivalry are alive and well off the field. Eastern Market is buzzing with a sea of Honolulu Blue as Lions fans cheer and engage in friendly smack talk with Chicago Bears fans.
Hours before the game at Ford Field, the energy builds at Eastern Market. The NFC North rivalry game is dividing friends and families alike.
“It’s a whooping. He came for a whooping. He drove all this way to get a whooping,” said Terrance Ray, a Detroit Lions fan.
“All I know is Mr. Johnson came to Chicago,” replied James Sumpter, a Chicago Bears fan.
The matchup is also dividing families.
The Millers have already talked about how to move forward as a family regardless of the outcome.
“Yes. I think we’ll make it until the next time they play each other,” Kevin Miller said.
Jackie Ianitelli responded with a laugh.
“Either way the car ride is going to be awkward for somebody,” she said.
The atmosphere is like running into an ex, according to Eric Calhoun, a Lions fan.
“It’s like dating an ex-girlfriend. And you see your ex-girlfriend somewhere, right – and you guys broke up,” he said. “Then now, you’re in the same place you want to make sure you’re doing really, really good.”
Week 2 of the season brings some anxiety for fans.
“A little nervous from what happened last week,” said Rick Tubbs, a Lions fan.
Others believe the face-off against former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will motivate the team.
“The reason why is because Ben Johnson and they got a point to prove they can win without him,” said Kevin Davis, a Lions fan.
Lions fans were ready to remind Bears supporters who runs the town.
“We just need to let them know to take 94 west and head back to Chicago,” a fan said.