Lions supporters are praising Jared Goff nonstop.
Because he has the Lions on the verge of their first Super Bowl since… forever, Detroit’s gunslinger is currently one of the most well-liked characters in the Motor City.
Furthermore, it appears that the admiration extends much beyond Goff’s typical residence in Ford Field.
Over the past few days, a familiar murmur has provided the soundtrack to many events, both sporting and otherwise. The mention of Goff has been circulating throughout Michigan’s concourses, which is an unexpected but heartfelt gesture for a guy who appeared to be in football limbo a few years ago.
Even though Levi’s Stadium is located more than 2,420 miles away from Ford Field, Jared Goff expects a large number of Detroit Lions supporters to be present in the stands for Sunday’s NFC championship game.
Saying that Detroit has welcomed Goff would be a vast understatement. They recently cheered the quarterback’s name during a Red Wings game, and Goff anticipates they will be heard against the heavily-favored San Francisco 49ers.
When asked if he had ever received the kind of fan love he is currently receiving, Goff responded, “Not like this,” per ESPN. This is somewhat unique. It goes without saying that the overall situation contributes to that. However, these fans truly are amazing. This weekend, expect to see a lot of them. It will be enjoyable.
On Sunday, Lions supporters will be heard, even if the 49ers crowd will probably be biassed. Lions supporters purchased about 22% of the tickets for Sunday’s game as of Wednesday, according to Vivid Seats (via the Detroit Free Press).
Among those Lions supporters is 29-year-old Grand Rapids native Alex Willis, who claimed to have spent $650 on nosebleed seats.
“I think it’ll be cool to be there, with the happenstance,” Willis stated. “I wish a little bit more of my family could stumble into this situation.”
It’s understandable why so many Lions supporters wish to attend the game on Sunday. This is the Lions’ first trip to the NFC title game since 1991, during the height of Barry Sanders’s playing days. With the team making its first trip to the Super Bowl on Sunday, Detroit supporters are optimistic that their patience will be rewarded.
Goff undoubtedly hopes that the 49ers, who had to overcome a late deficit to defeat the Packers in last week’s divisional-round playoff game, will have to work a little harder in the presence of Lions supporters.
Making ensuring the Grand Rapids Gryphons farm team was more competitive this season was one of the Detroit Red Wings’ offseason goals. As the general manager of a rebuilding team, you want a farm team to be strong enough to provide top prospects with a postseason experience. The postseason grind in the American Hockey League is akin to the NHL gauntlet.
The previous two seasons, the Gryphons were not in the postseason. It seems like that tendency is ending.
Grand Rapids won their eighth game in a row on Friday, defeating the Belleville Senators 3-0. With a record of 18-14-4-1, the Gryphons occupy the third spot in the Central Division. Their gap to second place is just four points. The Gryphons most likely qualify for the playoffs.
Consistent goaltending, excellent coaching from Dan Watson, and the contributions of up-and-coming prospects like Jonatan Berggren, Carter Mazur, Simon Edvinsson, Marco Kasper, and others have been crucial. Berggren led the offence in Friday’s victory over Belleville with two goals and an assist. Having scored 31 points in 29 games, he leads the team. Edvinsson and Kasper have 20 and 21 points, respectively, while Mazur has already scored 11 goals. There are other veterans who are contributing significantly as well, such Zach Aston-Reese and Austin Czarnik.
Tonight, the Grand Rapids team plays Belleville again in an attempt to win five straight games. It is seven o’clock when the game starts.
