FanPost

Kick-Off Luncheon

This Annual Event, occurring today, is sponsored by the Economic Club of Detroit. I've attended these every year since Marty Mornhinweg was the Lions Head Coach. From the Burton Center in Livonia, to Cobo Hall, and finally & fittingly to Ford Field. It usually is a Fun Event, albeit a tad expensive -but 1 that affords many Opportunities, some related to the Lions and others that geared more toward Business.

As always, this has 2 Sides to it:

1) It seems to be the 'Culmination' of Enthusiasm for the Up-Coming Season. Training Camp is done and 3/4 of the Exhibition Games have been played, so everyone is anticipating the Season Opener. Various Dignitaries speak, usually Bill Ford Jr., Tom Lewand, and the Head Coach -along with a few Business Leaders. All express their Optimism, both for the Lions and the City of Detroit. Dan Miller and Jim Brandstatter do a terrific job as Masters of Ceremony and are very entertaining. Pre-SubmittedQuestions are asked & answered and the Annual Player Awards are bestowed. Most Tables have a Player seated with the Attendees and the Conversation there can be interesting.

2) Then, there are Players who are enjoying their Last Few Days as Lions. They still have Hope that they'll continue pursuing their NFL Dreams and are grateful for the Chance & Experience that they've had.

2014 feels a bit different though. Maybe that is because of William Clay Ford Sr.'s Passing in February. Maybe that is because there remains some 'Lingering Uncertainly' about the Lions' Prospects toward Success this year after a Promising but Disappointing 2nd Half of the 2013 Season. In some ways, I'm reminded of the 2009 Luncheon, when Jim Schwartz became the Lions Head Coach and Matthew Stafford was #1 OA Draft Selection and there were many 'Unknowns' with recovering from 2008's 0 - 16 W/L Record.

Regardless, the Lion is a Symbol of Courage and that, Fellow Fans, is what I felt in 2009 and feel that it is requisite now. So, to borrow a line from 'GridIron Heroes':

Stand and Cheer the Brave!

and count yourselves among those.


This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pride Of Detroit or its writers.