By Mummy Grace 
The Spirit of Detroit statue is once again donning a jersey, this time to celebrate the Detroit Lions’ playoff run. Early Monday morning, the iconic figure was dressed in a Honolulu Blue Lions jersey, sparking excitement among fans who quickly gathered to capture the moment.
Macarena Diaz, a Lions fan, shared her enthusiasm: “We watched the game every weekend. Everyone’s excited. Wherever you go, they know you’re from Detroit.” Another fan, Katie McNulty, added, “It’s really cool seeing the Lions represented. It reminds me of the old days when we did this for the Red Wings.”
The jersey, designed by Nicholas Piach and his team at Banner Sign Co., is a product of meticulous craftsmanship. Piach explained the effort involved: “It’s handsewn, and this year we updated the jersey with dots in the numbers.” Banner Sign Co., a family-owned business with over 100 years of history in metro Detroit, has played a key role in dressing the Spirit of Detroit for memorable sports moments, including the Red Wings’ 1997 Stanley Cup win.
Installing the Lions jersey began in October and involved collaboration with Prop Art Studio. “There’s a million pins in it,” Piach revealed. “It’s secured with Velcro and carefully positioned sleeves to ensure a perfect fit.”
Though the jersey will only be displayed for a few weeks, the impact is lasting. For fans like McNulty, who took photos for her disabled father, the gesture is deeply meaningful. “Anytime someone takes a picture of my work, that’s the ultimate satisfaction,” said Piach.
The Spirit of Detroit, now clad in Lions pride, continues to symbolize the city’s unwavering support for its sports teams and the joy they bring to the community.