Lion fans to protest
Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 1:17 am
Disgruntled Lions fans planning stadium walkoutAssociated Press
Some fans in Detroit are planning to protest the dismal state of the William Clay Ford-owned and Matt Millen-led Detroit Lions in their home finale for the second straight year.
Last season, about 500 people marched, chanting "Fire Mil-len!, before the Lions hosted the Cincinnati Bengals, and many wore orange during the game.
On Sunday against Chicago, another protest has been initiated by disgruntled fans. With 8:57 left in the second quarter, those interested in showing their displeasure with Ford and Millen are asked to walk out of their seats and to later walk out of the stadium.
"They pay 60 or 80 bucks for a ticket, so they can do what they want with it," Detroit tackle Jeff Backus said. "It's their right to do that. We're not putting a good product on the field, so if that's the way they want to react to it, then so be it."
The Lions (2-12) are tied with Oakland for the worst record in the league and are an NFL-worst 23-71 since 2001, when Millen took control of the once-mediocre franchise. If Detroit loses to the Bears and at Dallas next week, its six-season total of losses will trail only Tampa Bay's 74 setbacks from 1983-88 in league history.
Know what the Fords will be thinking?
"They still paid for their tickets so who cares if they leave?We still got their cash!"
Some fans in Detroit are planning to protest the dismal state of the William Clay Ford-owned and Matt Millen-led Detroit Lions in their home finale for the second straight year.
Last season, about 500 people marched, chanting "Fire Mil-len!, before the Lions hosted the Cincinnati Bengals, and many wore orange during the game.
On Sunday against Chicago, another protest has been initiated by disgruntled fans. With 8:57 left in the second quarter, those interested in showing their displeasure with Ford and Millen are asked to walk out of their seats and to later walk out of the stadium.
"They pay 60 or 80 bucks for a ticket, so they can do what they want with it," Detroit tackle Jeff Backus said. "It's their right to do that. We're not putting a good product on the field, so if that's the way they want to react to it, then so be it."
The Lions (2-12) are tied with Oakland for the worst record in the league and are an NFL-worst 23-71 since 2001, when Millen took control of the once-mediocre franchise. If Detroit loses to the Bears and at Dallas next week, its six-season total of losses will trail only Tampa Bay's 74 setbacks from 1983-88 in league history.
Know what the Fords will be thinking?
"They still paid for their tickets so who cares if they leave?We still got their cash!"