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Detroit Lions fans, family show ‘Pride’ as they head to California for NFC Championship game

Lions take on San Francisco 49ers Sunday at 6:30 p.m.

DETROITDetroit Lions fans have taken great Pride in having a significant presence at road games this season, which is why so many are hopping on planes bound for California.

There’s been a lot of Honolulu blue at Metro Airport on Friday (Jan. 26).

Die-hard Lions fans who can afford it are jetting out to the San Francisco Bay Area, and that includes family members of players like former Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones.

In this Nov. 16, 2019, file photo, Michigan wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (9) makes a pose to celebrate his touchdown in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State in Ann Arbor, Mich. (The Associated Press 2019)

“This is what we do,” said Donovan’s mother, Roz Peoples-Jones. “So excited at this point with it being in the playoff with Detroit we are excited.”

Roz’s son, Donovan, is currently the Lions punt returner. He was one of the Wolverines best athletes in school, so you might see a lot of people representing his No. 19 jersey.

“We always have our 19 or our Lions stuff on,” said Donovan’s girlfriend Imani Braxton. “It takes hours to decorate.”

Braxton says the entire team and their families have grown incredibly close this season.

“I’m really hoping they can bring home this NFC Championship and see them again in Las Vegas in two weeks,” Braxton said.

Hailing from Detroit’s west side, Donovan played for Cass Tech and the University of Michigan, and his mom says this NFL championship game is personal.

“To have watched him as a little boy and to take him to the games, it’s surreal,” Roz said. “And now he’s a player on this team, it’s a win for the city.”

Detroit Lions fans have taken great Pride in having a significant presence at road games this season, which is why so many are hopping on planes bound for California. (WDIV)

A group from Warren says packing for Santa Clara felt surreal.

“It was so cool, never thought it was going to happen, and finally we get to go, and we went to both playoff games. It was crazy,” said Lions fan Kyran Daniels.

“I’m excited,” said Lions fan Cortland Cross. “When’s the last time we saw Detroit here, I wasn’t born, so we got the opportunity to go. We gotta root for the city.”


About the Authors
Priya Mann headshot

Priya joined WDIV-Local 4 in 2013 as a reporter and fill-in anchor. Education: B.A. in Communications/Post Grad in Advanced Journalism

Brandon Carr headshot

Brandon Carr is a digital content producer for ClickOnDetroit and has been with WDIV Local 4 since November 2021. Brandon is the 2015 Solomon Kinloch Humanitarian award recipient for Community Service.

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