The Detroit Lion’s record-setting season ended in a loss against the Washington Commanders, in the Divisional Round on Jan. 18, 2025. With such a sudden ending, feelings of disappointment and sadness have been shown at Grand Ledge High School.
The Lion’s were predicted to play in the Super Bowl based on their regular season performance, but with the injuries of Aidan Hutchingson, Alim McNeill, Alex Anzalone, Carlton Davis, Malcolm Rodriguez and Amik Robertson, this created struggles. But somehow they seemed unstoppable.
“They still pulled through even with all the injuries,” Sophomore Jacob Rosenburg said.
Last year revealed the Lion’s potential but ended at the Divisional Round. This season, many students thought it was going to be outstanding. In the Playoffs, the Lion’s received the #1 seed in the NFC North Conference, with a 15-2 standing.
“They are the first team to go 0-16 in the NFL, so I definitely think they have done a lot better,” Senior Daniel Thomas said.
Though the Detroit Lion’s did originally start in Detroit, the Lion’s date back to 1928 when they played in Portsmouth, Ohio as the Spartans, then they joined the NFL in 1930. Later on in 1934, they moved to Detroit and became the Lion’s. In the second season of the franchise, The Lion’s won the ‘35 NFL championship. They flourished in ‘52, ‘53, and ‘57, earning four division titles and three league championships. Since their 1957 championship, The Lion’s did not win a playoff game until ‘91 and did not win another until the ‘23 season.
Their worst overall record was in 2008 with a standing of 0-16 and their best overall record was this year, 2024 with a standing of 15-2.
“The Lion’s have been breaking my heart for a long long time, I have been a Lion’s fan since 1984, it has been rough being a Lion’s fan,” teacher Steve Delaney said.
During the 50’s the Lion’s thrived when Bobby Layne was on the team, but Bobby Layne was traded out after the 57’ championship, he famously put bad luck on the team, referred as
“The Bobby Layne curse,” Delaney said.
Causing them to be the only team in the NFC to not make it to the Super Bowl.
Some credit the Lion’s recent success, the Head Coach, Dan Campbell. Campbell carries 26 years of NFL experience, 15 as a coach, and 11 as a player. In Campbell’s first year of coaching, he built a new culture from the beginning. Campbell shows his players the knowledge and passion he has for his team.
Dan Campbell has changed that judgment put on The Lion’s, by working with the player’s weaknesses to seek improvement. Since Campbell has been coach the team has seen improvements each season.
“The first year Campbell was there, we went 3-10, vs. now all the way up to 15-2, and getting #1 seating in the NFC. He is the main reason The Lion’s are Super Bowl contenders now.” Thomas said.
With the Lion’s best season coming to an end, they lost in one of the most important games of the season. With the season coming to an end, the offseason begins. During the offseason, many key events happen including, East-West Shrine Bowl, Senior Bowl, NFL combine, deadline for franchise or transition tags, early negotiation period, 2025 league year and free agency signing period, NFL draft, NFL schedule release, and NFL training camp.
When Sept. is approaching, excitement will build for the new season, and the unknown of what The Lion’s will do in the 2025-26 season. Undoubtedly students and staff are looking forward to the upcoming season.
“I’m excited to see where we are going,” Thomas said.
