Lions Getting Cheerleaders (Sort of)

In the past the Detroit Lions haven’t had a squad of cheerleaders. While now I am assuming the team simply cannot afford to pay them (Please recall that season tickets went for $250 this year… SEASON tickets), this Sunday a group of “non-cheerleaders” will debut at Ford Field. The group is called the Detroit Pride, and while they will be attending each game to root for the Lions, they have some seriously strict rules to follow if they want to stay.

• The group is not allowed to perform organized cheers.
• They cannot obstruct the view of fans.
• They are not allowed to take group photos of fans. Only two girls can appear in photos at a time.
• They cannot wear Lions logos or team colors. Their uniforms are blue, but they cannot be "Honolulu Blue."

So where will the the Detroit Pride be performing this Saturday, you ask? First at a 10:30 a.m. tailgate, and then they will move to a grill outside Ford Field. And what about when the game starts? No worries, the group of 12 girls will not even be allowed on the sidelines. Instead, sit in the stadium for the rest of the game just like any other fans. Hmmm.

While the groups says that their goal is to become the official cheerleading team of the Lions and eventually the Red Wings and Tigers, too, the Lions have commented that they have no plans to bring on cheerleaders.

On one hand, I want to tell these girls to stop wasting their time and give it up. Who in the world wants to hike to the D every weekend, take the time to cheer for an entire season of losing football and not even getting the title of a “real” cheerleader?

On the other hand, I somewhat hope the Lions quit being A-holes and make then the “official” cheerleaders. Let’s be honest, this could be the most exciting thing that has happened for the Lions since Barry Sanders left. If nothing else, at least it will give the fans something good to watch.

For, lo, the winter is past.

The rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth.
The time of the singing of birds is come,
And the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.

Ernie Harwell, after 42 years with the Detroit Tigers and being inducted into the Sportscasters Hall of Fame, passed yesterday at the age of 92.

Last September during his tribute Ernie shared this, "I do feel like those people out there were my friends, and I hope I was their friend, because it is a unique association that you have with your listener. I really appreciate the fact that they take an interest in me. I don't know if I deserve that, but all I tried to do was just be myself."

A humble beloved man, RIP Ernie Harwell. Public visitation will begin Thursday at 7am at Comerica.

I forget the second part....

Ok, so tonight the Celtics pulled off of clutch win at home against the Bulls despite a rather lengthy injury list. Meanwhile, the Yankees won 11-0 against the Tigers in Detroit. Interestingly, I found myself fighting for TV space to watch the NBA playoffs opposed by some obviously intense Yankee fans. Without going into my traditional and obvious oration on why the Yankees suck or why a win against the Tigers – of all teams – at this point in the season is meaningless, I would like to point out that the Yankees suck.

Moving on, I would like to reference the above ESPN article which discusses how the current economic situation is affecting our professional athletic teams and leagues, especially the NBA. The author discusses how the ’09 All Star Weekend in Arizona represented the “No Benjamins Association” rather than the National Basketball Association. Frankly, I am offended. I imagine most of the players in the MLS are offended. In fact, I bet about an eighth of the NFL is offended. The guys that played in the ABA are aghast at such an analogy.

Sure, the $90 million endorsement deals don’t exist anymore. But can you seriously justify in your mind paying someone that amount of money to wear a logo for 10 years?! Stadiums no longer bear historical names, representing a brand of team heritage; now they’re sponsored: Gillette Stadium, Bank North Garden. People used to have a different mentality about sports, men and women alike.



... and I forget the second part... Actually, no, I don't. But, I think this part is so funny I am going to let it settle before I deliver the rest.