{"id":12068,"date":"2025-01-28T11:51:16","date_gmt":"2025-01-28T11:51:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=12068"},"modified":"2025-01-28T11:51:16","modified_gmt":"2025-01-28T11:51:16","slug":"breaking-detroit-lions-lost-aaron-glenn-ben-johnson-but-thats-no-reason-to-fret","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=12068","title":{"rendered":"BREAKING: Detroit Lions lost Aaron Glenn, Ben Johnson, but that’s no reason to fret"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Like many others, I\u2019ve been thinking a lot about the\u00a0Detroit Lions’ quick exit from the postseason. I was born and raised in Ann Arbor and left Michigan for school in 1984. I\u2019ve been a Lions fan since I was 6, and have never stopped being a fan.<\/p>\n

As disappointing as this postseason was, I\u2019ve 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\u2019m talking to you, Philadelphia). It\u2019s freaking hard to win it all \u2014 most teams don\u2019t make it.<\/p>\n

Sheila Hamp spoke\u00a0to the fan base in the midst of that 1-5 start to the 2022 season,\u00a0and took the heat when everyone was calling for Campbell\u2019s head. She (rightly) said the Lions (and fans) had to stay the course, and that all the pieces were in place.<\/p>\n

We have to remember that this is still true.<\/p>\n

Even if we feel that the loss of\u00a0Aaron Glenn\u00a0and\u00a0Ben Johnson\u00a0are big blows, there is no reason to give up or start over: abandoning what has worked won\u2019t help.<\/p>\n

Culture change is more than players and coaches: it\u2019s also about the organization. If they have truly changed the culture of the organization, it should survive personnel transitions.<\/p>\n

\"Detroit<\/p>\n

The Lions have known for two years that they were likely to lose\u00a0Glenn\u00a0and 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

So I think fans need to show the same grit and resilience we\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s what the Lions did.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s what we expect of them.<\/p>\n

They should expect and receive the same from us.<\/p>\n

Richard Van Eck<\/strong><\/p>\n

East Grand Forks, Minnesota<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Detroit<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

You haven’t failed us<\/h2>\n

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 \u2014 it’s my fear that they may look at this defeat as though they have failed us \u2014 they would be wrong.<\/p>\n

One of my\u00a0favorite 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.”<\/p>\n

If the goal is to win the Super Bowl \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

This season brought so much to so many. Yes, businesses and the city of Detroit fared very well financially \u2014 but there’s more \u2014 so much more.<\/p>\n

    \n
  • They brought excitement back to the game of football.<\/li>\n
  • They gave hope to an untold number of lifelong fans.<\/li>\n
  • They united us around a common dream.<\/li>\n
  • They brought joy with every touchdown and laughter with every “trick play.”<\/li>\n
  • They brought creative fun in the many displays of beloved players (cake, flowers and\u00a0snow sculptures)<\/li>\n
  • They have given new meaning to the words “never give up” and we will NEVER\u00a0give up on you.<\/li>\n
  • They highlighted the importance of “family.”<\/li>\n
  • They have and continue to be an inspiration \u2014 our own personal heroes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n