FanSided 250: Detroit Lions fans are vastly underrated

FanSided 250 is a list of fandoms FanSided ranks on a yearly basis. It’s much more than sports; it’s celebrities, movies, sports and much more. While totally agreeing with the list is difficult, they really had a swing and miss not having the Detroit Lions apart of this list.

The idea is exceptionally interesting, this FanSided 250. There are plenty of famous artists, movie stars, athletes, sports teams, comics, and so on to choose from, but how can the Detroit Lions be left off of the list?

It’s very disrespectful to leave such a proud fanbase entirely off of the list. Yes, I said a proud fanbase. The Detroit Lions have only won a single playoff game since 1957, that came in 1991. It’s been a lonnnnnng time since the Detroit Lions have had anything to be excited about.

Sure it’s a fanbase that had arguably the best running back of all-time, run the rock on a weekly basis. Barry Sanders was so special; he was a V8 engine in a franchise that only supplied four-cylinder talent. I will name a couple of other current and former players but there was plenty that won’t be mentioned in this article.

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Sanders was a human highlight reel; he could win plenty of games on his own but never had that quarterback under center who could win a big game with his arm when the team needed a QB to take over. Barry ran behind an offensive line that at times was less than desirable but rarely complained he just twisted, spun, changed directions, and galloped East and West to find some running room more than any back in history.

The old saying around town used to be, ‘if Barry had Emmitt’s O-line he’d of accumulated 25,000 or more rushing yards.’ No disrespect, but around here, we all consider Barry Sanders as the g.o.a.t.

Speaking of Emmitt Smith. It’s convenient that ‘America’s team’ ranked first out of all the NFL teams. The Cowboys came in 17th overall. While I can’t stand the Cowboys and continue to snicker at Jerry’s underachieving group, I understand it.

My problem comes with the Cleveland Browns being considered the NFL’s third-best fanbase and 30th out of 250 in FanSided 250. Is this real? It’s a franchise with a similar type of losing culture in recent memory, a team expected to compete in the postseason this year. It’s a star-studded team that can’t get out of their own way, yet they rank as the NFL’s third-best fanbase? I won’t have any of this.

I understand how the New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, 49ers, Steelers, Patriots are all in the mix. It’s a bunch of proud organizations. The only team in the NFC North NOT represented is our Detroit Lions, and it’s not fair. A look at entire list of NFL teams and where they ranked can be found here.

If you don’t think Detroit Lions fans should be represented, just log onto twitter and search #onepride. We all may not agree on everything; there will be plenty of bickering and debating. You know why? Because we care, because we are proud fans that without a doubt, should be represented in FanSided 250.

Next. A look at former Lions currently excelling elsewhere. dark

It’s another down year in Detroit, but it’s a fanbase that fell in love with Calvin Johnson, the same void being filled with Kenny Golladay, Darius Slay, Frank Ragnow, Marvin Jones and so on. It’s a franchise with the second-best quarterback in the NFC North. It’s a fanbase that tunes in to see its franchise quarterback (when healthy) go to work on a weekly basis come hell or high water.

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