Da Lions

played one of the most unusual and exciting games we have ever seen.

Scoring 34 points in a game is a feat for the Lions--scoring 34 points in the fourth quarter, WOW. (A new NFL record for points in a fourth quarter.)

We were worried about the outcome through three and a half quarters. The Lions played a good first quarter, then nothing for the next two. Both teams made crucial errors--blocked field goals, interceptions, fumbles, penalties. After three quarters the Lions established that they could not establish the run and went to the air for a couple scores. With about eight minutes left they had a long scoring drive which included (surprise) several well-blocked runs and finally a touchdown run by Kevin Jones. The Bears were not done. Down ten under two minutes, the Bears scored a touchdown. (The Bears had kicked a field goal with fourth and goal from the two, but accepted a Lion penalty for having a player line up over the center giving them fourth and goal from the one.) The onside kick was returned for a touchdown and that did it.

We sat amongst many Bears fans, most of whom were decent fans--passionate, vocal, jumping up and sitting down while we were sitting down and jumping up. But I tire of some visiting fans, those who are confrontational and threatening, who wave fingers at us, who turn around and tell us we're gonna get our a__es beat, who shake their favorite player's jersey at us after a score. Just go to the game, cheer for your team, stand up and applaud, yell and even scream, whistle, boo an official's call, and even chant "Let's go Bears." Any more than that is unacceptable.

As we walked around the stadium before the game, we came upon the wife and daughter of the late Charlie Ane, center for the '57 Lions, the last championship that was honored at halftime. I told them how much I enjoyed Charlie's play and that championship season. There were not many of us in the crowd who remember that team. It was the third championship for the Lions in the 50s. And we thought it would always be that way, that they would be in the hunt for the title. We're still waiting.

Next week is off to Washington to take on the Redskins and try for their first win there. (Not first win since such-and-such a year, just first win.)

Goooo Lions!