Tailgating Lions fans featured in new documentary

They come from across the state: Young, old, blue collar, well-to-do, Black, brown and white.

On many Sundays in the fall, you will find them dressed in Honolulu blue and silver, gathered at Detroit's Eastern Market, a short walk from Ford Field, with one common goal: Cheering on the Detroit Lions.

"The atmosphere of all these people in the same place, rich or poor, different ethnicities, different political views, none of that matters when we're in the tailgate lot," said avid Lions fan and tailgater Willie Murray of Hastings, known as Bigblu. "We all agree that we love the Lions and that's what we're here for."

Lions fans are known for their unwavering optimism despite decades of disappointment. The Lions haven't won a national championship since 1957 and are among only four teams in the NFL that haven't played in a Super Bowl.

Now a new documentary is capturing the spirit of one particular group of Detroit Lions fans and what some might say is their fanatical fandom celebrated through elaborate tailgating parties.

The parties put on by the Blue Crew, as they call themselves, feature gourmet food (for the Sept. 17 season opener, the menu included smoked pork shoulder tacos with all the trimmings), DJs, costumes, customized vehicles and even a mobile hot tub. Fans come from across Michigan and elsewhere to participate in the decades-long tradition of cheering on the Lions through thick and thin.

The documentary, "Roar in the D: A Fan Story," premiered Sunday afternoon on WXYZ. Produced by Yellow Flag Creative Group, a Southfield-based production company, the project came together through an employee involved in the tailgating group.

Jason Falleti, 50 of Roseville, has been a season ticket holder since 2002. Falleti typically brings a yellow arrow to games, which he points up when the Lions score and to the side when an opposing team scores.

"My dad to this day is a die-hard Lions fan. He brought us up a certain way, it's in our hearts, it's in our souls," Falleti said.

Production on the documentary began over the summer, wrapping up with the start of the Lions' season this fall.

Karen Johnson, email marketing manager for Yellow Flag Creative Group, is a Lions fan and 15-year member of the tailgating group. She said the documentary represents the company's collaborative values.

"We're all about teams and team spirits and camaraderie," Johnson said.

Johnson hosted a watch party for the documentary at The Rubber Duck in Clinton Township Sunday, preparing ahead of time with decorations, candy and activities for attendees. Fans, decked out in Lions apparel, gathered outdoors in the back of the bar before heading inside to watch the documentary premiere.

Tige Washko, 49 of Livonia, is a 25-year season ticket holder and seven- or eight-year member of the tailgating group. The documentary demonstrates the firm commitment of these Lions fans, he said.

"It shows our loyalty because we haven't had a winning team in so long and we all stick together, we stick by our team no matter what," Washko said. "We show that we're loyal and that we're dedicated."

Ron Crachiola, a longtime Lions fan, started following the team when his father took him to a game at the old Briggs Stadium when he was 14, he said. Crachiola said he has been a season ticket-holder for about 45 years.

"I'm a simple guy, blue collar, and I love people, and I love football," Crachiola said. Being a Lions fan, he said, "is in my blood."

Johnson estimates there are about 150 regular tailgaters with the Blue Crew and they range in age from 7 to 80. They gather at the Eastern Market on home game days beginning about 7 a.m. and most of them later walk to nearby Ford Field to watch the game. One member flies in from the United Kingdom for as many as five games a season, Johnson said.

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Johnson said the unique aspect of these fans made the documentary project worthwhile.

"Because this group is so special and so crazy, all at the same time, I knew I had a story to tell," Johnson said.

Anthony Manzo, 50 of St. Clair Shores, also known as Zo, said he appreciated the opportunity to gather with fellow Lions fans for the documentary watch party.

"I think it's phenomenal that they're doing this, that we can be here to have this event and support this documentary, I think everybody's done such a great job," Manzo said. "It's a lot of hard work, long hours, and I can't thank everybody enough."

This group of Lions tailgaters grew a special bond through their shared love for the Detroit Lions, Johnson said.

"I've always had sports as a big part of my life but being around these people, you see a whole different side of craziness and funniness and goodness, people that really enjoy each other and love each other and it's sweet," Johnson said.

Johnson said the tailgating group, which grew out of four or five other tailgating groups, has raised thousands of dollars for charities. One effort was set up by a tailgate group originally led by the late Donnie “Yooperman” Stefanski and now carried on by his daughter, Megan “Yoopergirl” Stefanski. It raised more than $55,000 for an Upper Peninsula hospice, Johnson said.

The documentary release comes amidst an unusually hopeful start to the season, with the Lions winning their opening game on Sept. 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Since then, the Lions have gone on to play two more games, losing the second and winning the third on Sept. 24.

"It's so exciting now that we have this team with really good expectations and the town is excited," Johnson said.

The Detroit Lions play their fourth game of the season Sunday against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Die-hard Detroit Lions fans are subject of tailgate documentary