"Super Fans" swarmed Ford Field Monday night (photo taken by Michael Olsen)

Monday night marked the return of the Detroit Lions to national relevance, as the Lions held on for a 24-13 win over the division rival Bears. What was even more impressive than the play on the field was the atmosphere surrounding the stadium, and throughout the entire city of Detroit. Fans came out in masses, some as early as 7 a.m., to bask in the once elusive glory that accompanies a winning football team.

From Downtown to Midtown, Greek town to Cork town, Honolulu blue could be seen bleeding from every part of the city. Throughout the day the streets of Detroit filled with fans from all walks of life. New fans, happy to share in the success of the local NFL team, children going to their first football game, donning Stafford, Johnson, or Suh jerseys. Fans who had long abandoned the Lions for the better part of the last decade, clad in Barry Sanders jerseys, or whatever memento they had held onto from a better time. And then there were the Lion loyalists, who stuck with their team through the Matt Millen era. Who had continued to support a franchise in the midst of the worst season in NFL history, never once giving up on the hope that this franchise could be something to be proud of once again.

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