By Mmesoma 
A minor social-media exchange between Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker and WNBA guard Sophie Cunningham has ignited a spirited defense of Motor City pride.
On Monday, Cunningham — who spent three seasons with the Indiana Fever and hails from nearby St. Louis — posted a cheeky tweet about some of Detroit’s rougher moments, quipping, “Some streets out here look like practice fields after a cyclone. 🙃” The comment quickly drew the attention of several Lions players.
Decker, Detroit’s veteran left tackle and a fixture in the Lions’ strong offensive front, didn’t hesitate to step in. He fired back on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “City that raised us, built us, and sees us through — you don’t know the half of it. #DetroitVsEverybody 💙💛.” His reply garnered thousands of likes and retweets within minutes.
> “Detroit is more than asphalt and buildings,” Decker told reporters Tuesday. “It’s family, it’s community, it’s resilience. I’m proud to represent this city every time I step on the field.”
Decker’s teammate, center Frank Ragnow, also chimed in, reposting Decker’s reply with the simple caption, “All love for the D.” Several other Lions players — as well as local fans and alumni — joined the conversation to underscore Detroit’s storied history and unbreakable spirit.
Cunningham, who’s known for her playful banter on social media, responded later with a laughing emoji and praise for Decker’s play on the field: “Respect to @TaylorDecker1 — champions on and off the court 🦁.” She added, “Can’t wait to catch a game at Ford Field this fall!”
Ford Field officials, meanwhile, reported a surge in ticket inquiries from WNBA fans curious to see Cunningham and Decker’s friendly “rivalry” in person. The Lions begin training camp later this month, with their first preseason game scheduled for August 10.
Through the back-and-forth, one thing remains clear: Detroit’s athletes — from the hardwood to the gridiron — stand united in defending the city they call home. And while the banter may continue, it only serves to highlight the pride both teams share in representing their communities.