For the past three years, Lions head coach Dan Campbell has been working to build his team in the image of the city they play for. Campbell has long spoken about his affinity for the city of Detroit, and how he's trying to create a culture that's as tough and resiliant as the fans that show up to Ford Field on Sundays. After beating their Divisional Round win against the Buccaneers on Sunday, Campbell and the Lions are headed to the NFC Championship game for the first time in over three decades. Speaking to media after the 31-23 win, Campbell explained why he thinks this team specifically has been so warmly embraced by Lions fans:
A gritty group for a gritty city. pic.twitter.com/CWfYcVW3WI
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 21, 2024
"It's not the first thing you think of when you go to LA," he said, "You've got the sun, you've got the beach, you've got plenty of other things going on. And here, man, it's harsh winters. Auto industry. Blue collar. Things aren't always easy. And I just think that's what we're about. You want something that the city can be proud of. You can look at those guys and say, 'I can back that guy, I can back that team. I can resonate with those group of guys.' They're kinda salty. They don't quit. They play hard. And I feel like we've done. And I feel like these guys have a kinship with this city and this area. And they love it, man."
It doesn't hurt that this is the first team to make a deep playoff run in literal generations, but it does feel like this year's group -- especially Campbell -- holds a special place in Lions lore. Their ongoing support of Jared Goff has been one of the more feel-good stories from these playoffs, and the video of Ford Field erupting after Derrick Barnes' game-sealing interception late in the fourth quarter is one of the cooler things you'll see today, and a good indication of just how loud it was in that building all day. It'll be interesting to see how many of those fans make the trip to San Francisco for next weekend's NFC Championship game.
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