by Steffi Carrera ’14

Football fans are well aware of the losing streak the Detroit Lions had two years ago. For nineteen straight games, Detroit fans were left disappointed and hungry for a win. The Lions snapped their losing streak by beating the Washington Redskins, a local favorite, 19-14 on September 27, 2009. This marked the turning point for a franchise that had produced losing season after losing season for over a decade. Detroit starts this new season with a surprising 4-0 record, a feat they have not accomplished in thirty-one years. The Lions have shocked all the football pundits with their perfect start to this season.  The players are responding well to second year coach Jim Schwartz by playing hard for the full 60 minutes of each game.  They are the first team in NFL history to erase 20 point deficits in three straight games and produce victory in each of those games.  They certainly are the Cinderella team of this young season, and they also mirror the revival of the city as a whole, which is why they have captivated my attention and made me root for them even though I’m not a big football fan.  Whether their success is attributed to Calvin Johnson, the electrifying 26-year-old wide receiver who has stepped up his game, or Matt Stafford, their young quarterback,  Detroit is giving football teams across the nation a run for their money, and just as important they are inspiring the native fans to keep hope alive.