DETROIT – Football Sunday in Detroit is back, but much about the season opener was different amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
There were no parking lots full of people tailgating and no fans in the seats inside Ford Field.
The game appeared in favor of the Lions -- touchdowns and a Matt Praer field goal -- having a 17-point lead.
However, the Bears managed to come back with three fourth-quarter touchdowns, and the game ended with a 27-23 loss for the Lions.
When the National Anthem played, several players kneeled, some stood locked arm-in-arm and others left the field.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford took a knee, as well as safety Tracy Walker, who is the cousin of Ahmud Arbery.
Arbery was a Black man from Georgia who was shot and killed in February by two White men while jogging.
The stadium crowd consisted of cardboard cutouts, but players could hear audience cheers blaring through speakers.
Tailgating did not happen outside of Ford Field, but it didn’t stop fans from finding a way to still root for their home team. Many still appeared at traditional bars and even pedal pubs to celebrate.
While some fans said it was heartbreaking to not celebrate in a normal fashion, some said they were excited to still have the game.
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