‘Pure excitement:’ Lions fan gives tour of her ‘Lions Den’

JACKSON, Mich. (WLNS) — Fans were riled up on Sunday.

As the team took on the San Francisco 49ers, bars were filled with people and families got together for watch parties.

And that includes Melissa Blood of Jackson, who said she’s held Detroit Lions season tickets for about 27 years. She’s attended hundreds of Lions games, starting in the Silverdome days.

Blood showed 6 News around her “Lions Den” Sunday–and it has any and every Lions memento you can think of. She has jerseys, signed footballs, helmets and even the back of a chair from the Silverdome.

“Every single week, it’s all about football, that’s it,” said Blood. “It’s Detroit Lions football, all day every day. “

She said she’s been a fan since she was young, watching the games with her dad and grandpa. And today’s the day she’s been waiting for.

“I keep acquiring more that I’m, like, I think I have to take over the basement now,” she said. “It’s going to be a Lions Den basement.”

What was Lansing like the last time the Lions played a championship game?

6 News asked Melissa Blood what she’s feeling today, with the NFC Championship upon us.

“Pure excitement,” Blood said. “I mean, I can’t even begin to describe how this feels. Because, I mean, we waited so long. There was the ‘0 and 16’ year, you know, where everybody’s wearing bags on their heads. And we’re there, loyal fans were still there, you know. So we deserve this, we want it, we’re ready to win today and make it to the Super Bowl and win that too.”

Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds reacts after scoring on a run against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football NFC divisional playoff game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, in Detroit. (Jose Juarez/The Associated Press)

Blood showed 6 News around her Lions Den and told us some of her favorite football memories–like when a Lions player invited her and her best friend, Laurie, to dinner with the entire Detroit Lions team.

“He bought our meal; he bought us drinks. It was so amazing,” Blood said.

And no matter what happens–including Sunday night, when the Lions lost an early lead and lost to the 49ers, 31-34–Blood says she’ll always root for her team.

And to this day, Melissa Blood still watches the Lions games with her dad.

“I’m a loyal Lions fan ’til the day I die,” she said. “Loyal Lions fan forever.”

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