Following a devastating loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the Detroit Lions were surrounded by gloominess.
Many fans said that getting up on Tuesday felt worse than it did on Monday, as the shock wore off and the reality sank in that the club would not play again for another seven months.
Being 30 minutes away from advancing to the Super Bowl and playing so well in the first half provided fans with a surge of adrenaline that they had grown accustomed to.
Reality set in swiftly, revealing how quickly fortunes may shift. Once Detroit lost momentum, they were never able to restore the form they had in the first half.
Fortunately, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson surprised the fandom when word circulated that he planned to return for another season.
Center Frank Ragnow told reporters after the season ended, “Ben’s one of the brightest people I’ve ever been around, especially in terms of football, and whatever he decides to do, he’ll be very successful at it because he’s a great offensive mind, but he’s also a great person and a great leader.”
“You look around this locker room and these guys, and at the end of the day in this league, all these coaches will say it, and they always say it, it’s about the players, not the plays,” he continued. “And I believe we have a wonderful team here that will be able to manage whatever occurs, whether he stays or leaves. I believe everybody will
The next All Lions “Bang The Table” podcast delves into the ramifications of Johnson’s return and revisits one of the most difficult losses the club and its supporters have ever faced.
Do not miss any future podcast episodes. Make sure to subscribe to the All Lions podcast, which is accessible anywhere your favorite podcasts are hosted.
