By Mummy Grace 
Alpena Joins the Detroit Lions Playoff Hype
ALPENA — The excitement for the Detroit Lions’ historic season is sweeping across Northeast Michigan, with fans proudly sporting Honolulu blue jerseys, hats, and other team gear everywhere you look.
In the Alpena area, like the rest of the state, Lions supporters are buzzing with optimism about the team’s chances for a deep playoff run and potentially securing Detroit’s first-ever Super Bowl appearance.
After decades of frustration and heartbreak, the Lions have delivered a record-breaking 2024-25 season, giving fans hope that this might finally be the year Detroit claims its first championship since 1957.
Still, for some fans, the scars of the past remain.
Terry Bronson admits he used to wonder whether the Lions could ever break free from their bad luck and poor performances. Now, he believes this current team is something special.
“We’ve waited forever for a team like this,” Bronson said. “I’m just enjoying the ride. The team is young, hungry, and talented. I really think they can go all the way.”
The Lions’ roster, one of the youngest in the league, is bursting with energy. Six players were named All-Pros this season, and many of the team’s stars haven’t even reached their prime.
Tim Kraft, a die-hard fan, says his favorite player is running back Jahmyr Gibbs, whose speed and knack for scoring remind him of Hall of Famer Barry Sanders.
“It feels so good to root for a winning team after all these years of losing,” Kraft said. “Lions fans deserve this. Even if they don’t win it all, this season has been amazing, and the future looks bright.”
Despite the optimism, some fans remain cautious.
Trent Shultz says years of heartbreak make it hard to fully believe the Lions can pull it off.
“I’m loving every moment of this, but there’s always that little voice in the back of my head waiting for something to go wrong,” Shultz said.
The team’s success has even caught the attention of Michigan’s state government. On Friday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared it Honolulu Blue Day to rally support for the Lions ahead of tonight’s playoff game.
“GRIT defines Michigan’s spirit, and it’s driving the Detroit Lions this season,” Whitmer said in a statement. “Let’s all wear Honolulu Blue and cheer on the Lions. One Pride!”
The Lions finished the regular season with a 15-2 record, the best in franchise history, earning the No. 1 seed in the NFC for the first time. Their top-seed status gave them a bye last week and ensures home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Tonight at 8 p.m., the Lions host the Washington Commanders at Ford Field in Detroit. A victory would send them to the NFC Championship, just one win away from a trip to New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX on February 9.