Motor City awash in 'Honolulu Blue' as Lions spark a magical moment in Detroit history

 

Motor City awash in 'Honolulu Blue' as Lions spark a magical moment in Detroit history

Win or lose in Sunday's NFC championship game, the gritty Lions are writing another chapter in Detroit sports history that has moved longtime fans.

Jarrett Bell

USA TODAY

To borrow words from the late, great Marvin Gaye, “What’s going on?”

Oh, I’ve certainly heard. My hometown is in a state of emergency – uh, euphoria ‒ over those gritty Leos. Never mind the Arctic blast that recently blew through Detroit. The people are warmed by Lions Fever, which surely hasn’t come around every winter but strikes now like Halley’s Comet.

The Lions will have a chance on Sunday to win a championship game for the first time since 1957.

No, I didn’t witness the 1957 blowout of the Cleveland Browns at Briggs Stadium, which was situated four miles from where I grew up on Detroit’s west side. But it’s in the history books. And I find it interesting that to advance to that crowning finale, the Lions had to win a playoff game at San Francisco.

To get to this season’s crowning game, Super Bowl 58, the Lions have to beat the 49ers. Hmmm. Maybe there’s some sort of cosmic force – on the other side of the “Bobby Layne Curse” – working with all that grit Dan Campbell has preached about.

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In any event, there’s another chapter in Detroit sports history being written by the current Lions that has moved longtime followers. Win or lose on Sunday, the Lions have already claimed a beloved place of lore. That I know because of the passion I’m feeling from relatives, old classmates and longtime friends through text messages, calls, videos and social-media posts.

And, to borrow from another classic Motown tune, I’ve heard it through the grapevine that in this run-up to another huge title game, the Motor City is awash in "Honolulu Blue."

Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown dyed his hair "Honolulu Blue" for the playoffs.

'Honolulu Blue' is everywhere in Detroit

Honolulu what? That’s the specific shade of blue belonging to the team – and its people.

Thus, the Spirit of Detroit monument downtown on Woodward Avenue is wearing a blue Lions jersey. Office towers, like the Renaissance Center and DTE Energy, are lit up in blue. The Old Main building on Wayne State’s campus? Blue. And it’s a thing now for people to use blue lights to illuminate their porches. What in the name of Lem Barney?

There are blue cocktails served in honor of the Leos. And blue popcorn.

Then there’s the hair. Amon-Ra St. Brown, the special Lions receiver with great hands, christened the playoffs by dyeing his hair Honolulu Blue. It has sparked a local trend. Even a longtime fan in hospice care in Saginaw, about 100 miles north of Detroit, now has blue hair.