ALLEN PARK, Mich. – Most Detroit Lions fans are familiar with the players showing their prowess on the field, but their training begins away from the lights and fans.
The Meijer Performance Center is home to the team’s practice facility.
In a rare look, Local 4 recently toured the sprawling 225,000-square-foot building.
After the organization left the Pontiac Silverdome, the Ford family built the practice facility in Allen Park and Dearborn to be closer to the automotive company’s headquarters.
“Each position group has their own meeting room and classroom,” said Eamonn Reynolds, director of communications for the Lions.
Reynolds said half the organization is based in Allen Park and handles the football operation, which includes the coaches, players, scouting, communications, and finance.
Ford Field oversees the business operations, he said.
“However, it’s two buildings, but we work as one organization,” Reynolds said. “One pride is our team and company slogan.”
The practice facility boasts two natural grass practice fields.
Fans may know the field from either watching public practices during the August training camp or from the 2022 HBO Hard Knocks series following the team during training camp.
If not practicing outside, there’s the option to use a 95,000-square-foot indoor practice field.
“The turf you see here is new turf that was installed last year that resembles exactly the turf on Ford Field,” Reynolds said.
During the season, it’s common to see coaches and players working a grueling 12-hour day.
If they played on Sunday, it’s back to the practice facility Monday followed by a quick rest day on Tuesday.
Then, they grind the rest of the week. There’s also plenty of practice film to watch.
“If you look around the facility, up on the walls, there are cameras installed in the pillars of the indoor field,” Reynolds said.
In a snapshot, you can see the work and investment are paying off in big ways.
“If you’re a Detroit sports fan, now is a good time to be one,” Reynolds said. “It is an exciting time to be in the organization. Our fans are who we do it for.”
