Fan Revolt

[rkmsuf]

Good times.

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Fans showing their contempt for losing Lions




Detroit - The most outrageous suggestion of protest came from a caller who identified himself as Seven. He was on a cell phone, and he had joined WXYT-AM (1270) sports talk show hosts Doug Karsch, Dan Wetzel and Pat Caputo on Thursday to discuss how crazy Ford Field would be Sunday when the Lions play the Cincinnati Bengals.

"I think it will be a pro-wrestling atmosphere," he said. "A friend of mine is going to run onto the field naked."

Wetzel quickly interrupted him.

"You want to go to Wayne County jail buck naked?!! Are you nuts?!!"

Call it the season of absurdity. More losing. A benched quarterback. A fired coach. A tackled fan.

Many fans are fed up. There is talk of revolt.

A Web site dedicated to team supporters is encouraging ticket holders to dress in orange, one of the Bengals' team colors. One radio show will erect a billboard Saturday that reads, "Not this MILLENium. Rebuilding since 57," a reference to president Matt Millen's disappointing five-year reign. Another radio show is planning an "Angry Fan March" before the game.

But a naked jaunt on the field?

"That's sacrifice," Wetzel told Seven, "a commitment to the cause."

The Millen topic has dominated local sports talk radio for almost two weeks, ever since the game that followed former coach Steve Mariucci's firing.

It began with a grocery bag.

In the second half of the Lions' loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Dec. 4, several fans began writing "Fire Millen" on pizza boxes and brown grocery bags. Security began confiscating them.

One fan took exception, and ran through the seats carrying his sign as the crowd cheered. The chase lasted several minutes.

Finally, the fan was tackled in the seats. Television caught it. Replays the next several days ignited talk of fan revolt. Some talk radio and Web sites jumped on the frustration.

The plans received national attention. Everyone is talking about it. Now, as the last home game of the season approaches, several observers are hoping the game won't give the region's image another blemish.

Karsch told his listeners early in the show that Millen's employment with the Lions wasn't reason enough to do something to get arrested. He also posed this question about the game:

"Are you looking forward to it, or are you really petrified at what might happen?"

Caputo jumped in.

"I don't care about the game," he said. "The sideshow is what I care about. It's morbid, kind of like being a rubbernecker at a car accident. I just hope it doesn't get out of control."

The hosts preached calm and fun for Sunday. So did Lions officials, who said they wouldn't interfere with the march or the orange-out and that they'd even relax their sign policy and let fans bring them to the stadium, as long they aren't offensive or block anyone's view.

Listeners calling the show were split about Sunday's possibilities. Some said they'd watch only to see if anything happens. Others said they'd watch and pray nothing does.

"I'm hesitant about it," said Don, "real concerned. If this can be done peacefully, that's fine."

If not?

"We are going to look awful."

Sheri wasn't worried.

"I've been a season-ticket holder for years," she said. "The entertainment in the stands will be more fun than on the field. I think we have to be positive."

And trust that metro Detroit doesn't want another brawl at one of its sporting events.

Rich also was excited, with a caveat.

"It's so sad that this is what you gotta get excited about," he said. "The media in general is making it way bigger than it needs to be."

Fans talked about a potential circus, a three-hour drunkfest, made worse by the game's 4:05 p.m. start. They talked about wearing caps embroidered with the slogan "Buy General Motors." And they talked about tuning in to the team for the first time in months, mostly because of the protest chatter.

Said Victor: "If the game was at the Silverdome, we'd be in big trouble."

Said Don: "I'm a little embarrassed to be a Detroiter."

Said David: "If people want to make a statement to the Fords, stay away."

And finally, said Randy: "It's the most anticipated game of the season. Gonna be chaos. I can't wait."

"Power to the people," Wetzel said.

Who knows if they will be heard?

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_arti...?storyid=48118

[moriarty]

I heard there was going to be a "Millen-man" march before the game. Thought it was a catchy play on words anyways.

[albionmoonlight]

With all of this buildup you know that there will be "extra security" at the game and nothing cool will happen.

Shame. This could have been awesome.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

With all of this buildup you know that there will be "extra security" at the game and nothing cool will happen.

Shame. This could have been awesome.

the fans have the numbers though. power to the people.

[Honolulu_Blue]

It's going to be ugly. UG. LY.

To compund the problem, it's a 4:00 pm start which will give all the disgruntled fans three extra hours to sneak in a few more "ginger ales" before kick-off.

It's going to be yet another embarrassment to his already embarrassing franchise. The only good that could come out of this is that Ford feels so much pressure that he does fire Millen. I don't see that happening. He will dig his heels in and the Lions will continue to be the joke of the NFL.

The only NFL franchise that can hope to match the Lions' futility (over the last 50 years or so) are the Arizona Cardinals. But right now, the Lions are in a dark, dark time.

They are going to get hammered Sunday too.

[CraigSca]

So this is the 2005 version of the Aints? Will we see the commensurate SportsCenter highlights of fans wearing bags over their heads?

[Butter]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

They are going to get hammered Sunday too.

The fans, or the Lions?

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

The fans, or the Lions?

Both.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Both.

Jeff Garcia, hammered and taking the snap from the center. "No I will not go in the shotgun, I'm getting right under center. OK, on 27...hut, hut, hut, hut...." Wheeeeeee!

[Deattribution]

I'd find it more amusing for someone to dress up like Matt Millen or wear a Matt Millen jersey just to see how the fans react.

[Bonegavel]

Millen went to my High School and was always a big prick. Can't say I'm sad to see this.