Like many others, I’ve been thinking a lot about the Detroit Lions’ quick exit from the postseason. I was born and raised in Ann Arbor and left Michigan for school in 1984. I’ve been a Lions fan since I was 6, and have never stopped being a fan.

As disappointing as this postseason was, I’ve come to the conclusion that grit and resilience need apply to fans as well as to the team. The NFL is full of teams with crappy fan bases (I’m talking to you, Philadelphia). It’s freaking hard to win it all — most teams don’t make it.

Sheila Hamp spoke to the fan base in the midst of that 1-5 start to the 2022 season, and took the heat when everyone was calling for Campbell’s head. She (rightly) said the Lions (and fans) had to stay the course, and that all the pieces were in place.

We have to remember that this is still true.

Even if we feel that the loss of Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson are big blows, there is no reason to give up or start over: abandoning what has worked won’t help.

Culture change is more than players and coaches: it’s also about the organization. If they have truly changed the culture of the organization, it should survive personnel transitions.

The Lions have known for two years that they were likely to lose Glenn and Johnson. Anyone who thinks that the whole organization has not been thinking about and planning for the transition clearly has not bought into the new Lions.

Add to that the fact that Holmes and Campbell have built a great scouting team, trained to look for guys who fit the Lions culture, and you know they will continue to build on draft and player development success.

So I think fans need to show the same grit and resilience we’ve come to expect from the Lions, now. Even (and maybe especially) when things are at their worst and when we are struggling to feel it, emotionally.

That’s what the Lions did.

That’s what we expect of them.

They should expect and receive the same from us.

Richard Van Eck

East Grand Forks, Minnesota

You haven’t failed us

Let me begin by thanking Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions for another great season. And while the season ended in a disappointing and heartbreaking loss — it’s my fear that they may look at this defeat as though they have failed us — they would be wrong.

One of my favorite quotes is from Lewis Howes. He describes the chasing of our dreams this way. “The journey is just as important as the destination. Nothing can substitute for experience; everything you go through provides you with an opportunity to learn. You are able to learn more from the world around you, as well as the world within you. Although the destination will be worth the wait, you must enjoy the journey first. Trust the process.”

If the goal is to win the Super Bowl — then yes, we missed the mark. However the Detroit Lions have achieved so much more along the way. Truthfully more than I’ve seen in my 70 years.

This season brought so much to so many. Yes, businesses and the city of Detroit fared very well financially — but there’s more — so much more.

• They brought excitement back to the game of football.
• They gave hope to an untold number of lifelong fans.
• They united us around a common dream.
• They brought joy with every touchdown and laughter with every “trick play.”
• They brought creative fun in the many displays of beloved players (cake, flowers and snow sculptures)
• They have given new meaning to the words “never give up” and we will NEVER give up on you.
• They highlighted the importance of “family.”
• They have and continue to be an inspiration — our own personal heroes.

This is not the resume of a “failure.”

So while this loss hurts, and I’m not going to lie, it does — I’m sure no one feels it more deeply than you and the players — the whole Lions staff in fact. That is why I just wanted to thank you from the whole of my heart for all the joy this season has brought.

I truly believe that you will all get there, but until then, just know that you are loved. Thank you for another great ride, and for continuing to give us a reason to believe.

Judy DuPont

Clinton Township

The football gods know what they are doing

I was disappointed in the Lions’ loss, but not heartbroken. If another win meant the Lions would raise their prices even more, then maybe it was ordained by the football gods. Or if the loss meant we won’t see any more stupid end zone stunts like head stands and flips, I’m okay with that.

Football is a dangerous sport as it is, and if an impressionable kid gets hurt or even paralyzed by emulating their heroes, I’m not okay with that.