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Stadium #4 Ford Field Detroit, MI |
Seattle Seahawks
vs. Detroit Lions Detroit Lions Stadium October 28, 2012 24 - 28 Loss |
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Stadium #4 Ford Field Detroit, MI |
Seattle Seahawks
vs. Detroit Lions Detroit Lions Stadium October 28, 2012 24 - 28 Loss |
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| Main Page | Race to 31 | Detroit Lions ProShop | My Blog |
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NFL Stadium Reviews:                
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Stadium Vitals Built: 2002 Capacity: 65,000 seats Playing Surface: FieldTurf Draft Beer: $8.75 Hot Dog: $6.00 Stadium Parking: $20-$50 |
 Ford
FieldStadium Address 2000 Brush Street Detroit, MI 48226 (313) 262-2000 Get Directions |
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Stadium Review - Tubgatin' in the Motor City  The
Detroit Lions, under head coach Jim Schwartz, appeared to be a team
on the rise. A product of the Tennessee Titans organization, Coach
Schwartz brought a disciplined, hard-nosed defensive mentality to a
Lions organization that was mired in a culture of losing since the
early 1990’s. Shoring up both sides of the ball with a mixture of
veteran leadership and investing in high draft picks along the
offensive line and in the running game, Coach Schwartz and GM Martin
Mayhew provided the tools necessary for a young Matt Stafford to
flourish in an offensive system uniquely developed to make use of
his talents. That was 2011, but for some reason, this year the
Detroit Lion’s ascension into the ranks of the NFL’s elite seems to
have hit a snag.  I
was on hand for a game in late October to attempt to inspire a
return to winning for the Honolulu Blue and Silver. Back when the
Lions played in the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, an expansive
blacktop surface allowed Lions fans to spread out across the parking
lot, ushering in a golden era of Detroit Tailgating that many still
fondly talk about today. These days, with Ford Field built in the
downtown area, that golden era had been reduced to pockets of
dispersed tailgaters dotted throughout the city. The best of them
can be found at the Eastern Market parking lots located just north
of Ford Field, so I make sure to setup there when I attend Detroit
Lions home games. I
pulled into Lot 1 at the Eastern Market just before eight in the
morning and was happily greeted by some familiar faces. Continuing
the fine tradition of power grill tailgating are Vic and Gina from
“The Tailgaters”. Vic trailers in his massive, custom-built, hard
wood smoker and it’s a thing of beauty. With a grill surface
measuring 24” x 72” Vic and Gina put out a gameday spread that is
second to none in the Motor City. On this day, they slow cooked a
marinated chicken and pork rib feast that was adequately accented by
some amazing sides. Later in the day, as I was looking for some
volunteers to help me learn the Detroit Lions fight song, “Gridiron
Heroes”, Gina offered to lend her vocal stylings to my compilation
YouTube video. Turns out that with a little liquid courage and some
adequate Motown backup singers, Gina can belt out GridIron Heroes
with the best of them. Vic and Gina have also paired with a longtime
Eastern Market tailgating fixture known and DetroitTailgate.com.
With Bob, Steve, Brenda and Lisa, the fine tradition of premiere
Motown tailgating lives on.  My
attention then turned to a seasoned group of tailgaters, a
collection of men that have captivated the imaginations of many a
Detroit Lions fan, since the days of the SIlverdome. Known as “The
Tubgaters”, Denny, Mickey, Jerry, and Dave are continuing the
tradition of Motor City Hot Tub Tailgating some twenty years after
their initial plunge in those piping hot Hololulu Blue waters.
Starting in the wee hours of the morning on gameday, Denny fills his
Tubgaters hot tub with 115-degree water and trailers the covered
bathing apparatus out to the Eastern Market parking lot just in time
for an early morning soak. I can tell you that neither rain, nor
snow, nor sleet or hail will discourage these guys from their
gameday tradition that’s over twenty years in the making. Armed with
a myriad of Jell-O shots including encapsulated maraschino cherries
and crushed pineapple, they “chum the waters” by hurling free shots
into the crowd beckoning them to join in on the Motown Hot Tub
Experience. I couldn’t resist …. Our
last stop on a tour of Motor City Tailgating took us to one of the
more recent additions to the Detroit Tailgating scene, a group
called “The Suh Crew”. Founded in 2010, what started as a couple of
guys huddled around a single hibachi grill and a few hotdogs, soon
grew into a following of over 50 members strong. Led by front man
“Little Dave” this group of Detroit Lions Diehards gathers under a
blue beacon located in the parking lot on Mechanics Street, just a
stone’s throw from the stadium. On this day the Suh Crew were
grilling up Angus beef Detroit Sliders and serving up some
refreshing adult beverages of choice.  Soon
it was time to head into Ford Field to watch as the underdog Lions
set out to put themselves back into playoff contention with a win
against the visiting Seattle Seahawks. From the opening kickoff, the
Lions fell behind and trailed for most of the game. Costly penalties
and miscues seemed to put them in a hole, as the Seattle Seahawks
took an early lead. However, this young team showed the resiliency
of a more mature Lions club as Matthew Stafford lead the Lions
offense on a last game rally to push them ahead of Seattle and
knotch a 28-24 win. Lions Win! Wow, that’s virgin territory for me
on the Quest for 31. Go Lions!.For more information on the city of Detroit, MI check out my other reviews by clicking on the links below: NFL: October 5, 2014 - Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions NFL: October 11, 2009 - Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Detroit Lions NFL: October 26, 2008 - Washington Redskins vs. Detroit Lions NFL: October 15, 2006 - Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions NBA: Detroit Pistons, Palace of Auburn Hills - General Information NHL: April 9, 2009 - Nashville Predators vs. Detroit Red Wings NHL: Detroit Red Wings, Joe Louis Arena - General Information |
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| City of Detroit Local Information | |
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Top Tourist Attractions: Henry Ford Museum / Greenfield Village Motown Records Historical Museum Local Foods: National Coney Island Hot Dogs, Michigan Cherry Salad, Middle Eastern Cuisine, Pasties, Mackinac Island Fudge, Sanders Bumpy Cake What They're Drinkin': Miller Lite, Bud Lite, Bell's Oberon Ale Tailgating Hotspots: Lot 1 Eastern Market Detroit Lions Pre-Game Tailgate on Brush Street Fan Resources: Pocket Map of Detroit Stadium Policy Stadium Parking Map Fan Forum: The Lions Fanatics.com Local Sports Media: Detroit Free Press Detroit News 97.1FM The Ticket |
Popular
Bar Districts: Downtown (Old Shillelagh, Detroit Pub, Town Pump Tavern, Foran's, Centaur, Cliff Bell's) Royal Oak (Luna, Royal Oak Brewery, Gusoline Alley, Mr. B's) Pontiac (Liberty Bar, Green Tavern, Sevin Night Club, Tonic, Tiki Bobs, JD's Key Club, Mill Street Grill) Mount Clemens (Emerald, The Bank, Orleans, Your Mother's) Best Restaurants: Hockey Town Cafe (Sports Bar & Food) Bad Brad's BBQ (Best BBQ in the City) Pizza Papalis (Local Pizza) Fishbones (Creole, Cajun) Pegasus Taverna (Greek) Bangkok Cuisine (Thai Food) Getting to the Stadium: Ford Field is located in the heart of Downtown Detroit. There are many ways to get to the stadium. It's a 10-15 minute walk from the Eastern Market where the best tailgating is going on. Some folks park in Greek Town and take the People Mover monorail to the stadium. There really isn't one great big parking lot. Most people park in lots all over the city and walk to the stadium. Where To Stay: Detroit’s downtown area is filled with museums, waterfront, history and an excellent nightlife. Be sure to stay downtown and stay central to the action. I would suggest staying at the Ramada Inn Downtown Detroit or the Crowne Plaza Hotel Pontchartrain Detroit. The Westin Cadillac and the Holiday Inn Express are also both excellent hotel choices. |
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Compare Prices for Detroit Lions Football Tickets Here: Click on the following links for Detroit Lions ticket availability at each of the top online ticket brokers on the web. Try each link to find the cheapest NFL ticket prices: |
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TicketCity.com | |
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StubHub.com | |
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VividSeats.com
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TicketNetwork
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Razorgator.com
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GRIDIRON
HEREOS Forward down the field, A charging team that will not yield. And when the Blue and Silver wave, Stand and cheer the brave. Rah, Rah, Rah. Go hard, win the game. With honor you will keep your fame. Down the field and gain, A Lion victory! |
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| Incentive never taken ... | Denny and I prepping the waters | It's the Great Pimpkin on ESPN | ||
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| Jerry and Denny with some friends | Quest for 31 Tailgatin' Tubgater Style | Marion (my cameraman) Finally Showed Up | ||
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| Brenda, Bob, Steve, where's Lisa? | Only Hardcore Fans Allowed | Myself, Natassia, and Marion | ||
| COMMENTS? Please feel free to post any suggestions or comments you might have for my journey to Ford Field, including the following: - Local Hotspots (Bar Districts, Restaurants, Clubs) - Local Foods (Traditional Cuisine, Micro Brews) - Tailgating Traditions - Your Experiences or Helpful Hints - If you saw me let me know! All commentary will be moderated. Your e-mail address will not be published. |
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