First, I have to apologize for playing hooky on my blog entry after the Seahawks win. I got caught up in the World Series craze, and decided to stay downtown for the Game 4 sweep. Somehow after all that madness (several days later), I realized I never posted. I'm truly sorry, as I know you must've all wondered what happened to me. I'm ok. Anyway, lets talk about the Packers game.
This week was different. I decided to take my 11-year-old daughter to her first Lions game. This has been the first year she's inquired about going. A few weeks back, my wife and I took the kids to Chicago for the Monday night game. We made a family weekend out of it, and had a sitter for gametime. As Monday rolled around, she kept making comments about wishing she was going with us. Well, we didn't have an extra ticket, but if we did, I wouldn't have wanted her first game to be at Soldier Field (probably getting trash-talked by a few Bears). So when my buddy called a few days ago asking if I could find a replacement for his ticket, I knew exactly who would go.
I woke up early and got dressed in my ritualistic Lions gear. But this time I wasn't up early to tailgate. There was no tailgate. I woke my daughter, and she began to color-coordinate her Lions outfit (everyone in my house has some sort of Lions apparel). We got downtown and headed to the stadium early -- so she could explore Ford Field a bit. The first place we went was the Roar Store (I think that's what they call it). What's funny is that I've probably been to 90% of the games ever played at Ford Field and I've never set foot in the store. We walked out with two filled shopping bags. Next up...face painting.
We seen some kids with their faces painted, so we found out where to go. I was a bit worried thinking that it was going to take forever, and we'd miss the opening of the game. Every year the fake tattoo line at my company's kids day seems like it takes hours -- what would it be like at a stadium of 60,000+. I was wrong. There was only like 5 people in line with 4 artists painting. So I decided to get my face painted as well. My daughter went to the artist on the left, and I went to the artist on the right. At prior festivals and such, my daughter would always get her entire face painted, so why was I to think any different...right? When the lady asked how I wanted to be painted, I replied with "Make me an angry lion." This lady went all out. People were walking by me cheering before I could even see what she was doing. When the lady finished, she handed me a mirror, and I was like "heck yeah...you made me look awesome." I looked over at my daugher to notice that she only got a cute little Lion on her cheek, and I was a SUPERFAN! (see the attached photo)
We got to our seats right in time for the players to be announced. I introduced her to some of the other season-ticket-holders. I showed her what cheese looked like (aka the Packers fans around us). And I heckled Clay Matthews for wearing a Bumpit. Prior to the half, the Lions were winning, and Aaron Rogers just messed up and had to call timeout. As he was walking to the sideline, from out of no where, my daughter shouts "Hey Rogers, maybe you should Double-Check the play next time." (after his State Farm Discount Double-Check commercials). Everyone laughed. I was proud. That's my girl.
The loss sucked. But we had a great time. And I hope she'll always remember her first Lions experience. I know I will.
'Til the next time we head Forward Down The Field…GO LIONS!
The author of this blog is a Detroit Lions season-ticket-holder seated directly behind the visitor bench (Section 128, Row 2). See Iain's initial blog post.
