Wednesday open thread: What is the biggest misconception about being a Lions fan?

Talking football with someone who isn’t a Detroit Lions fan is always a trip. When you reveal that you’re a Lions fan, the reaction is almost always the same. “Why?’ is the first word out of their mouth almost 90 percent of the time, followed by some half-hearted attempt to recruit you to their favorite team.

It’s a minor annoyance, but one that every Lions fan has probably gotten used to at this point. So, today, let’s try an educate the football fans out there that have no idea what it’s actually like to be a Lions fan.

Today’s Question of the Day is:

What is the biggest misconception about being a Detroit Lions fan?

My answer: For me, it’s simple. The idea that being a Detroit Lions fan sucks couldn’t be further from the truth.

Obviously, the lack of franchise success is not ideal, but instead of that being a huge bummer, it has really become a staple to our identity as Lions fans. We’re constantly the underdog. We’re permanently overlooked. We’re constantly brushed aside and dismissed.

If that isn’t the first act of just about every triumphant sports movie, I don’t know what is. Everyone loves the underdog story, and the Lions are the NFL’s prototype of an underdog.

Just look around the league. Every team tries to play the underdog card. How many pregame speeches include some form of “they’re doubting us”? How many coaches use bulletin board material from skeptical journalists or other players to help motivate the team? Hell, even the Patriots like to pretend there is a league-wide conspiracy to stop them from winning championship. It’s the reason the phrase “Detroit vs. Everybody” has now been co-opted by just about everyone.

But the Lions are only one of a handful of teams that can truly use the underdog label legitimately, and I love it. I love having the carrot constantly dangled in front of me, because I know one day that carrot will finally be within reach.

Would I feel differently if I was being handed carrots every year? Yeah, probably. But that’s what is so neat about the NFL. Every franchise has its unique story, and I think most fans wouldn’t change their story for anything.

Your turn.