Actor Jeff Daniels is a long-suffering Detroit Lions' fan, having grown up in Chelsea, Michigan before he became famous. In 2020, he even wrote a song about being a Lions' fan called called "Silver and Honolulu Blues."
Here's a sampling of the lyrics.
"Oh, I loved my Detroit Lions, though they broke my heart in two," Daniels sings in the sparse, three-minute blues song, told from the perspective of a man on his deathbed. "Tell the Lord I’m singing the silver Honolulu blues."
"Well the preacher he was preaching, and the choir sang a hymn/ as they buried me in the jersey of Joey Harrington."
When I’m gone, feel no sorrow, when I’m gone, feel no pain/ 'cause I'm on my way to heaven to catch a pass from Bobby Layne."
"When I’m gone, feel no sorrow, when I’m gone, feel no pain/ 'cause I'm on my way to heaven to catch a pass from Bobby Layne."
During an episode of "Peyton's Places" with Peyton Manning in 2022, Daniels was in Ford Field with Manning to perform a ritual to exercise the infamous "Curse of Bobby Layne."
Jeff Daniels was perfect choice to voice Sunday's game intro (video)
NBC's intro for Sunday's game featured fans Ben Capp and Arron Wikaryasz, who were both featured on television during the Wild Card game against the Rams. Capp is a long-time Lions' season-ticket holder, and Wikaryasz's tie to the team is rooted in going to games with his late father Joe growing up.
"Fans like Ben and Arron, they're the story here, just as much as a team and a city that are suddenly demanding new respect," Daniels says.
Daniels was the perfect choice to do the game intro voiceover, even if some would say Eminem would have been better. He is on-site at Ford Field Sunday.
Check out the full video below, via the Sunday Football on NBC Twitter handle.
A clash of football fairy tales!@Buccaneers vs @Lions live today on NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/Y7pSxIFJFd
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 21, 2024