Detroit Today: What the Lions mean to Detroiters  

For the first time in a long time — 32 years to be exact — the Detroit Lions won a playoff game. And when you consider that before that 1991 season, the last time the Lions won in the playoffs was before the Super Bowl era in 1957 — it’s even more profound.

When the Lions won last weekend, downtown Detroit was alive in a way you would not expect – especially for a team with one playoff win in 66 years. And yet, the love of this team is so strong, below freezing temperatures could not keep a sold-out arena of fans from cheering the team to victory against the LA Rams.

This Sunday, the Lions are hosting Tampa Bay, playing a second home playoff game in one postseason for the first time in team history.

So what makes us as fans and Detroiters so invested in our sports teams? Tim Alberta, a best-selling author and staff writer for The Atlantic magazine, joined Detroit Today on Friday to discuss.

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Guest:

Tim Alberta is a best-selling author and staff writer for The Atlantic magazine. He received national acclaim for his piece “The Thrill Of Defeat” for the magazine, highlighting how his life was shaped by watching the Detroit Lions lose. He says he’s nervous about the upcoming game, but he’s hopeful.

“If they give this one away, it’s going to hurt in ways that I don’t think I’m ready for and I don’t think a lot of fans are ready for, but I feel good about it,” says Alberta.

Listen to Detroit Today with host Stephen Henderson weekdays from 9-10 a.m. ET on 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand.