On an episode of Peyton Manning's ESPN + show "Peyton's Places" back in October of 2022, Detroit native and lifelong Lions' fan Jeff Daniels took part in a ceremony to exorcise the famous "Curse of Bobby Layne" in an end zone at Ford Field. Daniels recited a spell, over a bathtub filled with whiskey. Layne was a noted drinker during his time with the the Lions, so alcohol was totally appropriate.
"Bobby Layne would’ve preferred that (to water),” Manning said.
The curse dates back to the 1950s. The Lions traded for Layne in 1950, and the Hall of Fame quarterback led the Lions to three championships (1952, 1953 and 1957—although he broke his leg prior to the championship game in 1957). Early in the following season, the Lions traded Layne to the Pittsburgh Steelers. While never fully confirmed, legend has it that after the trade Layne said, essentially, “The Lions won’t win for the next 50 years.”
Of course the Lions lack of a championship has gone far further than 50 years, and they went 0-16 in the 50th season after Layne's comments to start the curse.
Since that episode of "Peyton's Places" aired, on October 30, 2022, the Lions have a 35-9 regular season record as they've reached new heights of success in franchise history on virtually every front. Dan Campbell flatly rejected the mystique of the curse when it came up after Daniels and Manning "exorcised" it, as expected.
Jeff Daniels unveils sweet song about exorcising 'The Curse of Bobby Layne'
Daniels appeared on "The Tonight Show" with Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday night. "The Curse of Bobby Layne" came up, in light of Daniels' fandom and the supposed "breaking" of the curse.
Daniels then unveiled a song he has written. With a guitar, he sang.
"On my phone, was Peyton Manning. He said, Jeff, I feel your pain. Will you join me in exorcising, The Curse of Bobby Layne."
"Just like that, we started winning. Just like that, we were playoff bound. Just like that, way up in heaven....Bobby Layned turned around."
"Say goodbye, to all that sorrow. Say goodbye, to all that pain. Say goodbye, to 'Same Old Lions', and the Curse of Bobby Layne.'
Check out the video of Daniels performing the song: