The new year usually begins with hopes and dreams of what “could be” for 2009.  This is not only true when it comes to our spiritual lives but also in other areas as well.  Take for example the Detroit Lions. I know they were terrible in 2008.  Well, maybe more than terrible.  They were the worst team ever in the history of the NFL.

MITCH ALBOM | WASHINGTON 25, DETROIT 17

Lions blacked out — and that’s a good thing

“Tickets remain. That was the story Sunday. For the first time at Ford Field, the Lions couldn’t sell out; the game was not televised. Some called this sad. Others called it merciful. Many didn’t notice.”

MICHAEL ROSENBERG | LIONS TALKING POINTS

0-16 becoming more and more of a possibility

My son, Grant, turned 6 years old today.  I don’t remember much when I was 6, but I grew up watching the Detroit Lions lose every year.  I have been a fan since I was a young boy.   The Lions have won one playoff game since the 50’s.  Needless to say, they have never even appeared in a Super Bowl, much less win one. 

Last year as I was making my son a family fan, I noticed that he would get greatly disappointed after every game the Lions would lose.  I came to realize that this was not a family tradition that should be continued but a curse that should be broken.  It was really hard for me to see him disappionted every Sunday.

This year I have decided that I need to reverse the curse.  I have lived a depressing NFL fan life for too many years. I cannot do this to my son.  It just would not be right.  Michigan has the winningest college football program in the country.  Even though they are having a rebuilding year, I know they have always been, and will be again, one of the best teams.  Not so, for the Lions. 

It is hard, however, because Grant sees my commitment to the Lions, and this motivates him.  I am trying to change (or at least hide it).

I am working on making him a Colts fan.  His Poppy is working on making him a Bear fan.   Anything would be better than what I have had to put up with all my life.  Please pray God’s mercy on his life!

Whether you are a tennis fan or not, the Wimbledon championship on Sunday was one for the ages.  There were multiple story lines throughout, and at the end of the day it was the longest played Wimbledon match in Finals history. 

Rafael Nadal defeated the best player in the world, Roger Federer.  To cap it off, John McEnroe, the commentator and past Wimbledon champion himself, said it was the greatest match he had ever seen. 

Click here for a fuller story.

Yes, the Detroit Red Wings won the Stanley Cup!  Yes, Detroit Rocks!

Sometimes, it is good to be a Detroit fan.  This is one of those times.

Chris Chelios (2002) and Chauncey Billups (2004) celebrate their titles.

Twin titles? Pistons, Wings are pulling for each other in quest to make history

BY MICHAEL ROSENBERG • DETROIT FREE PRESS COLUMNIST • May 22, 2008

“There are two ways to distinguish springtime in Michigan. One is that it arrives a month later than pretty much everywhere else. The other is that the Red Wings are occupying one half of Michigan’s brain and the Pistons are planted in the other half.

But it is hard. How hard? This hard: The NBA and NHL have held championships in the same year 60 times, and no city has captured both at once. A few have come close: In 1994, the New York Rangers won the Stanley Cup and the Knicks went to Game 7 of the NBA Finals, and in 1992 the Chicago Bulls won the NBA title and the Blackhawks were swept in the Cup finals.

But nobody has done it.

Now Detroit has its chance at history.”