Being Thankful for the Lions

There are three reasons, and only three reasons to ever have a memory about the Detroit Lions. Barry Sanders, Thanksgiving turkey legs, and having a friend you made fun of for years who happeneed to like the Detroit Lions. Those really are my only memories of the Detroit Lions. I never hated the Lions, there was no reason to. They really aren't as much of a laughing stock as people may think. They had a formidable run in the 1990's, perhaps it's because they had the services of a man named Barry Sanders, the greatest running back of all-time. (While we're here lets get one thing clear, Barry Sanders is the greatest running back of all-time. And here's why I choose to say this beyond the fact, it's my humble opinion. Emmitt Smith, who holds the record for career rushing yards, has stated that had Sanders never retired, Sanders would have crushed the record for yards rushing. So there, when the man who has the record knows he shouldn't have it, Barry wins.)
Back to the Lions. Tomorrow is thanksgiving. Throughout the years, Thanksgiving has grown into my favorite holiday, on the large basis of the three F's. Family, food, and football, (sadly I'm not sure which order I prefer most.) For the last three years, my thanksgiving's have been without one thing I have missed so much, it is making fun of the Lions.
Of course I still make fun of them. They find ways to blow games, get crushed by opponents and have quarterbacks named Krieg, McMahon and Harrington. But I miss the kid I used to make fun of them to.
Matt Mikolaichik, was the biggest and well, only Lions fan I ever met. I'm pretty sure he only liked Barry Sanders, but when your 7 years old and your watching Barry Sanders run past what seems like 20 people and spin and juke through 30 more, you'd fall in love with him too. Well Matt fell in love with Barry Sanders, wearing a blue number 20 jersey to Saturday morning bowling on more than 10 occaisions. At this point in my life, I couldn't make fun of Matty and the Lions yet. In 1991, they went to the NFC Championship game, and Barry was leading the league in rushing every year. We had gone six years without seeing each other from first grade untill 7th grade, due to the elementary school split our school had. But when we reunited in the 7th grade, the tables had turned. Barry had inexplicably retired, the Lions stunk again and I could make fun of Matty all the time. And when he chose to make fun of me I usually fired back with a lions remark.
But I spent time commiserating with Matt as well. Telling him things like "Hey I heard Barry might make a comeback!" or "Matt Millen can be a good GM just give him time,". We spent time imitating the faces made by Marty Mohrningwig after an 0 and i can't remember how many losses start in 2001. Nothing topped Christmas eve in 2000, when the lowly Bears and their kicker hit a 50 yarder to eliminate the lions from postseason contention and put the Rams in the playoffs. Even my father took the time to laugh at Matty's expense I think (my dad's a Rams fan).
In October 2003, Matty had died. I had gone through the months, realizing Matty had died but never really latching on to anything and spending more time trying to talk through things then being sad. But on thanksgiving, for the first time in many years, I couldn't dial Matty's number on thanksgiving to let him know how bad hisLions were gonna get beat. Although, that year they didn't lose. The beat the Packers 22-14. I choose to believe that Matt, had quite a bit to do with that.
Since that win, the Lions have lost three straight. But this year, there good. They have offensive weapons for the first time since Barry. And this year, they play the team they beat in '03, The 9-1 Packers.
So this year, I'd say bet the house on the lions. I know if Matt was alive, he would. Matt didnt use much logic, how else could it be explained he picked the lions to be his team in the first place?