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NFL draft in Detroit features Dan Campbell fortune teller

At the start of the NFL draft in Detroit on Thursday that will see the Detroit Lions form its team for the upcoming season, Lions coach Dan Campbell has something to say about what the future holds.

An animatronic Dan Campbell fortune teller game inside a replica of Ford Field at the Hart Plaza NFL Draft Experience shared his predictions with Lions fans. Wearing a black Lions long-sleeved T-shirt and hat, a mechanical Campbell greeted fans.

Felicia Hodges (right), 47 of Detroit, stands with her mother and sister at Hart Plaza in line to take a photo with the Lions' helmet. She said she was looking forward to seeing the Dan Campbell fortune teller.
Felicia Hodges (right), 47 of Detroit, stands with her mother and sister at Hart Plaza in line to take a photo with the Lions' helmet. She said she was looking forward to seeing the Dan Campbell fortune teller.

"Welcome to Detroit, draft patron. Have a great time. No seriously, welcome. OK, you can go now," he says in one response. "You've been bruised. I can sit up here and give you coach speak all day long. None of that matters, and you don't want to hear it anyway. You've had enough of that, so take your fortune and get out of here."

The fortune teller game produced small "Grit and Glory Fortunes" with a photo of Campbell with different messages. One reads: "When we hit hard times, we keep pushing forward. We know what that's about, nobody handles that stuff like we do." Another reads, "The future waits for no one. But if it's looking for us it won't have to look far because we'll be on its front porch kicking the door down."

At the "NFL Draft Experience at Hart Plaza," an animatronic Dan Campbell delivers "Grit and Glory Fortunes."
At the "NFL Draft Experience at Hart Plaza," an animatronic Dan Campbell delivers "Grit and Glory Fortunes."

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Longtime Lions fan and native Detroiter Felicia Hodges, 47, said she heard about the Campbell fortune teller as she stood waiting in line to take a photo with the Lions' helmet near Hart Plaza. She can't know for certain what the future holds for her team, but she sees good things coming for the upcoming season.

"I am so excited. I'm very happy, because they've come a long long way. But we're going to get there eventually to that Super Bowl," she said. Over the past 20 years, she's seen the team through good and bad. "When you're a diehard fan, it's win, lose or draw. Whatever. I never waver one moment ever for all these years," Hodges said.

Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on X, previously called Twitter, @clarajanehen.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: NFL draft in Detroit features Dan Campbell fortune teller