Oral history of the Detroit Lions’ 1992 playoff victory over the Dallas Cowboys: “That was a big deal”
DETROIT: The NBA titles that the “Bad Boy” Detroit Pistons had just won in 1989 and 1990 were back-to-back.
Nelson Mandela, a champion for civil rights, had just returned from a historic visit to Detroit following over thirty years behind bars.
After leading Detroit Southwestern High School to consecutive Class A state titles, a young Jalen Rose had just moved to the University of Michigan campus, where he would later play a key role in the development of college basketball’s Fab Five.
Barry Sanders, the famous running back for the Detroit Lions, was the buzz of the town, though.
This was Motown in 1991, when the Detroit Lions played.
In his third season, Sanders led the NFL in both running yards per game (103.2) and rushing touchdowns (16). He had a group behind him to make the most of his once-in-a-generation abilities after two losing seasons.
Despite winning a franchise-high 12 games, the Lions’ season was not without tragedy. In a Week 12 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams, offensive tackle Mike Utley had a spinal cord injury that rendered him paraplegic. Before being taken off the field, Utley gave supporters and teammates his now-famous thumbs up, inspiring them to come together and support Utley.
Everybody
Chris Spielman, linebacker with the Lions: I recall traveling around the city before it. It was a time of enthusiasm around the holidays. In addition to the usual enthusiasm around Christmas, New Year’s, and other holidays, there was also the general excitement surrounding the Lions. It makes me think of how hungry this city is, how much our fans want this, and how invested they are in it. It was quite awesome for that whole year. It was all Lions, all the time. Everything.
Jalen Rose, a Detroit native and former NBA player: That was the year I received my high school diploma—91. I was a McDonald’s All-American, a champion in my hometown and state, and a die-hard Lions supporter. However, the national game and the Thanksgiving Day game were the major games before the games were on DirecTV and all that. As a result, we were acquainted with players from the other teams—especially the Cowboys—while watching the Lions. In addition, I played football in elementary and middle school. As a defensive end, I used to think of myself as Ed “Too Tall” Jones. I wanted to smash children. America’s Team at the time was the Cowboys. Even so, I
