SANTA CLARA, California – A brutal Lions collapse in the second half allowed the San Francisco 49ers to overcome a 17-point deficit Sunday night, devastating Detroit fans, including thousands who traveled to Levi’s Stadium from far and near and witnessed a promising season end one victory shy of the Super Bowl. Free Press reporters and photographers captured the hope of so much of the day, followed by the crushing ending of a game that started out so well.
agony as the timer goes down.
As time ran out in their team’s defeat against the 49ers, Lions supporters in Levi’s Stadium watched in anguish.
And as their team edged closer to a Super Bowl berth, the West Coast supporters just became more raucous. They burst out after the victory was declared. As the adrenaline subsided, Lions fans stood in silence. A few then yelled profanities, while others departed just before the end.
James Williams felt both sadness and disbelief.
“We missed a few opportunities to score points on the board. Standing in the stadium concourse at the conclusion, Williams, a Detroit native, remarked, “I think that kind of hurt us a little bit.” “We’ve been coping with it for what it is.”
In any case, the city and team benefit greatly from the Lions’ success thus far.
Williams remarked, “We came across a fantastic team, and they just so happened to be better today.”
However, he added, it doesn’t end here.
Williams advised, “Go to bed today, wake up tomorrow, and get ready for next year.”
McClain, though, wasn’t going to let the result ruin a memorable season.
We persevered and even reached the finish line, but we were unable to win. Still a good game, 31–34.”
He acknowledged that he began to become excited about the Lions’ chances of making their first Super Bowl appearance following the team’s impressive first half.
We haven’t had a season like that in a very long time, but it was good. Lions, go!”
Fans: We are no longer in Kansas.
Fans discovered early in the game that they were undoubtedly no longer in Ford Field.
A small group of men and women wearing Detroit Lions jerseys slowly made their way through a crowded concourse while boisterous San Francisco supporters yelled “Niners!” When the 49ers emerged from the tunnel, their boos eclipsed the swarm of jeers that greeted the Lions as they onto the field for their final warmups.
Chad Day of Oxford and Chris Ehmann of Lake Orion were present at both of the Lions’ home playoff games. However, they were aware that the Lions would encounter a completely other obstacle while traveling.
Clad in a full-body Lions outfit, Ehmann expressed his lack of concern.
“There is a sizable contingent of Lions supporters. The world is filled with blue. Thus, things will continue to progress with the impetus they gained from their two home victories, according to Ehmann.
Day said he was sure head coach Dan Campbell would have the team prepared to tune out the “white noise” of the opposition’s supporters.
Seeing it firsthand was essential, no matter what transpired.
“You’re looking to observe the blue wave. Man, it’s FOMO now,” Day remarked.
Detroit natives Nikki Parrish and Jennifer Ingram did not miss an opportunity to yell “Go Lions!” inside the stadium, using profanity filled words. Their enthusiasm for the Lions was evident even if their blue pompoms didn’t express it.
“Go (expletive) Detroit!” exclaimed Ingram, who moved to the Bay Area to work ten years ago from Detroit. “I can’t wait for my hometown team to win everything. Since I moved out of Detroit ten years ago, this is truly a momentous occasion for me. Additionally, it is thrilling and invigorating to see so many Detroit supporters occupying the stands.
