'Emotions are high' as Detroit Lions fans travel for historic game against 49ers

Sean Reilly was on the verge of a breakdown.

Yes, partially because the Bay City native and current Kalamazoo resident was excited to see his favorite team, the Detroit Lions, take on the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game in person on Sunday.

But the 27-year-old was also a bit tense because of what he planned to do a few days before the game: a surprise proposal to his longtime girlfriend, Kassidy Albers.

When Reilly laid out his plans in an interview with the Free Press, he'd already spoken with Albers' parents. He knew when and where he planned to pop the question — on Thursday at Yosemite, a bucket list location for the couple. Now, he just needed the courage to make the leap.

"My stomach's been in knots for a couple weeks now. I've been an absolute emotional mess," Reilly, 27, said two days before the planned proposal.

"We just dropped our dog off at the kennel and I could barely contain my tears. It's been one thing after another, like, I am just a constant mess."

Such strong emotions play a pivotal role behind the decisions driving Lions fans to make the 2,400-mile journey to Levi's Stadium this weekend, according to a half-dozen interviews conducted by the Free Press.

One fan, a celebrity among the Lions faithful, cited the love of his recently deceased father as a powerful driver in his decision to attend the game. Others also pointed to familial ties, and what this success means after suffering as fans for so long.

Those making the journey likely won't feel alone: According to online ticket marketplace Vivid Seats, as of Wednesday, roughly 22% of tickets sold for the game went to Lions fans.

It's an expensive trip, one that may end in heartbreak — the oddsmakers in Las Vegas project the Lions will lose. But the shot of experiencing history in person makes the endeavor more than worthwhile for these die-hards.

More than a ski trip

Reilly planned the trip back in October. He told Albers they were just headed west on a ski trip with friends. But the pair tracked the Lions' success, noting their visit coincided with a possible NFC Championship game. When it became apparent the Lions were headed to the bay, Albers told Reilly they had to attend.

The logistical hurdles necessary to include the Lions game on the trip did cause a little anxiety, said Alex Willis, a friend who's joining Reilly and Albers on the adventure. But in the end, most of the original crew were able to move around flights so they could make it from a ski hill in Tahoe on Sunday morning to Santa Clara in time for the game.

"I think it'll be cool to be there, with the happenstance. I wish a little bit more of my family could stumble into this situation," said Willis, 29, of Grand Rapids.

"I'm a big Lions fan, but they've been waiting a lot longer than (me). But, hope to represent for them."

Willis said he paid $650 for nosebleed tickets, but that's a small price for a memory. Reilly agreed the experience will be worth it, although he took umbridge with the idea the Lions' long playoff run is a flash in the pan.

"People keep saying this is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. What's happening Thursday will be once-in-a-lifetime," Reilly said, referencing the proposal.

"Moving forward, the Lions, being on Sunday, playing in the NFC Championship, I sure hope that's not a once-in-a-lifetime thing."

A father's love

Anyone who has watched a Lions game, either in person or on TV, knows Ron "Crackman" Crachiola.

You've seen his hard hat, his denim cutoff bib overalls and his blue-and-silver face paint. You might not have seen his Honolulu Blue argyle socks, but trust him, they're there.

The Macomb Township resident is a fixture at Detroit games. But initially, after the Lions beat Tampa Bay, he wasn't sure he could make it to Santa Clara, where San Francisco will host Detroit at Levi's Stadium. He's not computer savvy — he doesn't even own a laptop — and the rigamarole of making everything work so quickly was a bit daunting.

With the help of some friends, and the memory of his Lions-loving father, Crackman made it happen.

"I was laying in bed, just talking to my dad, things going through my mind. I could hear him talking to me: 'Kid, you know I'm behind you all the way, let's go. Get out there, the people need you!' " Crackman said in a recent phone interview.

"If I didn't go and they didn't win, I wouldn't hear the end of it. So I just pulled the trigger."

Crackman had much in common with his dad. Both worked for years as linemen for DTE Energy. They took pride in being blue-collar men. And they never gave up on their Lions.

So when Crackman had the chance to go to Kansas City earlier this year for the NFL draft, he desperately wanted to attend. His father, 95 at the time, was quite ill. But Crackman knew he wanted his son to go.

His father died while Crackman was at the draft. Now, almost a year later, Crackman can feel his father's presence in this unprecedented Lions season.

"Every day he's with me, all of us, my whole family," he said.

"He wanted this. And that's another thing: I think if I didn't go (to San Francisco) he'd probably come down with a bolt of lightning and hit me in the head."

As it so happens, Crackman turns 72 the same day the Lions face the 49ers. To celebrate, the team and others are coordinating a party for him Saturday night in San Jose.

He hopes it kicks off an entire weekend of celebrating.

"I'm gonna be tearing up, I know that, if they win that game. I mean, I've kinda been tearing up all week. There's been so much going on, the emotions are high," Crackman said.

"It's like, all of this is coming together. It's like a story."

Lions show out on the road

Anecdotally, Lions coaches and players say they've noticed substantially more fans cheering during road games, moreso this year than in the past.

Data analysis from Vivid Seats shows that's actually happening: Detroit fans really are traveling more this year than last year. According to the data, Lions fans only accounted for about 12% of all people attending Detroit's road games last season.

But this year, they've made up roughly a quarter of all fans at the opposing team's stadium. That's a higher percentage than most NFL teams: According to Vivid Seats, the Detroit Lions averaged more fans in opposing stadiums than 22 other teams this season.

On several occasions, Clifford Baxter has been one of those fans. He travels regularly to see his favorite team, and the 29-year-old from Lake Orion couldn't miss the chance to see the Lions battle for a berth in the Super Bowl.

"I'm expecting a pretty rowdy environment. I think you'll hear the Lions fans, even if they're outnumbered," he said.

Baxter is flying out Friday with his brother-in-law, who used points to secure plane tickets. It's on Baxter to get game tickets: As of Wednesday, he didn't have any, but he's constantly monitoring ticket sites in the hopes of snagging a deal.

"I've been to a lot of road games, and the prices, it's kind of a roller coaster: they go up, they go down. So we're trying to buy low if we can, but expecting to probably spend around $900 apiece," he said.

Baxter prefers to get tickets as close to the visiting team tunnel as he can. It's the best way to celebrate with the Lions after they win, he explained. He's confident he'll get the chance to do this again on Sunday in California.

"This is why we love football. This is why we watch the Lions. I've been a loyal Lions fan for years and years, and been through some tough years," Baxter said.

"When (the Lions win) it's going to feel so much better to the fans that were loyal, that stood by them. To be honest, it won't probably really set in until we get in to San Francisco how close we really are (to the Super Bowl) but I would expect an onslaught of emotions."

A lifetime experience for the kids

Kelly Egelski and her husband are doing this for their teenage sons. While she was purchasing the cheapest tickets she could find, her husband was booking flights and found a more affordable option to land in Los Angeles and drive up the coast. The Troy-based family decided to make a vacation out of it with plans to visit Alcatraz.

“We heard it’s an amazing and beautiful drive,” said Egelski, who works as a substitute teacher in the Troy school district.

The family spends their Sundays watching the Lions play but as years passed, they focused more on making memories together, especially since their kids are growing up.

“We’re just your average family who loves the Lions and love each other,” Egelski said. “I used to watch the Lions as a kid with my dad every Sunday. Watching through the Barry Sanders years, then later when (Matt) Stafford joined, we had hoped they could get it done then. This team seems like they have something really special.”

Egelski aims to share the same father-daughter tradition with her kids. Time spent watching games with her father, who has passed away, mostly encompassed screaming at the television. He wouldn’t believe it if the Lions made it this far, she added.

“His best friend worked for the Lions, who is no longer around. I’m sure they’re in a bit of shock up there and enjoy every minute,” Egelski said.

Luckily for her kids, the school district has Monday off and the family had no problem taking Friday off either. She called it a “once in a lifetime” experience for her kids.

“This team is different than the other teams in my lifetime. I think it’s amazing for the city. It’s a great example for leadership and teamwork … believing in each other, and supporting each other,” Egelski said. “They’re all lessons for our kids.”

Singing and tailgating

If he’s not watching the Lions, he’s running a business that involves footballs.

Scott Brown, co-owner of the Ypsilanti-Ann Arbor Fowling Warehouse and his wife, Patty Brown, bought their tickets as soon as the Lions were up by two touchdowns last week. The two dropped $750 each on tickets and only $13 on flights, thanks to air miles covering the bulk of it. Though the first time he dropped money on tickets was in 1979, when he spent $200 on season tickets.

Brown’s loyalty runs back many years. He has run tailgates since 1981, greeting away fans while thanking them for coming, using his blue megaphone since 2002. Brown also sings the Lions fight song on Facebook Live, typically at the end of the game.

“I’m a singer. I like singing the Lions fight song anytime they score a touchdown. At the end of the game, I do a Facebook Live singing the song wherever I am in America,” Brown said.  “This year, it's been a little more singing than usual."

His tailgates began in 1981 at the Silverdome parking lot, garnering 20-30 regular guests. He would even fry turkey every Thanksgiving. Since they moved to Ford Field, Brown moved his post to a spot on Monroe Street near the Old Shillelagh bar.

“I greet the opposing fans with my megaphone as they walked by with, ‘Hey Los Angeles Rams fans, thank you for coming to our town and spending all of your money,’ ” Brown said.

During the final away game each year, Brown and his friends run a blue, silver or Lions-themed party where they run a gift exchange that requires the gift, whether a complete joke or something nice, has to be something blue, silver or Lions-related. This year, he’s hosting it sometime between the NFC Championship and Super Bowl.

This weekend, the two will fly into San Francisco, take a bus to his brother’s home and a train to Santa Clara in time for the game. Brown won’t run his tailgate this time but aims to connect with Detroit Lions bloggers who plan to run their own.

“I am a longtime suffering Lions fan. I love it and I think they really stand for Detroit. … There’s something about the lovable loser that stands to me. The Lions are it,” Brown said. “I think in that sea of red, the blue will shine.”

He and his co-owner have a deal where Brown works the away games and his co-worker works home games so Brown can run tailgates. This year, his co-worker let him have time off for the NFC Championship. Unfortunately for Brown, he’s missing the Super Bowl due to a large reservation at the Fowling Warehouse.

“Figures,” Brown said.

Contact Dave Boucher: dboucher@freepress.com and on X, previously called Twitter, @Dave_Boucher1.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 'Emotions are high' as Detroit Lions fans travel for big game against 49ers