Ford Field Becomes The Metrodome For One Night
Viking horns sounded to celebrate first downs as Ford Field hosted its first Monday night football game, without the Lions, but with about 45 thousand Lions fans.
The New York Giants beat the Minnesota Vikings 21-3, in a game that had to be moved to Detroit because the cloth dome collapsed and ripped at the Metrodome in Minnesota.
So, the Lions ownership tried hard to replicate the Metrodome experience at Ford Field, complete with Minnesota cheerleaders, and the Vikings fight song. They even painted the Vikings logo at mid field, and the word "Vikings" in both end zones.
"I haven't been to a game in fifty years, since I was ten and went to Tiger Stadium," said Bob LoChricchio of Clinton Township. "I haven't been to a game since."
He told WWJ's Beth Fisher that the reason was a "long story." With temperatures hovering around zero outside, few people had time for a long story.
The Lions distributed free tickets to fans who showed up at Ford Field at 9 AM. By, a little after 10, most of the free tickets were gone. Lions fans who went to the Sunday game against Green Bay were also allowed in.
Prime seats were saved for the few fans who had tickets to the game in Minnesota, and made the trip to Detroit.
There were scattered fans wearing Vikings Jerseys, but it seemed most fans were rooting for the Giants, and against the Lions NFC North Rival.
For the most part, fans didn't seem to take the game too seriously and just wanted to have fun. There were occasional chants of "Let's Go Lions" and a very, long, enthusiastic wave around the stadium.
Most of the luxury suites were empty, and many fans left early, with a mad rush out of the stadium at the end of the third quarter.
