Welcome To The Jungle

            As the sun rose across the country this morning, 99% of the land was in a state of normalcy. Back to the grind, back to school and back to the routine for Americana. As dogs were being walked and kids were shuffling onto buses, one city was finally opening their eyes. A new life, the likes of which was unseen to the vast majority of its inhabitants. The air was permeating with a sense of renewal. The morning dew was greeted by sneakers walking with an inspired stride. While the smokestacks plumed, the people basked in the electricity. Timeclocks were punched, phones were answered, offices filled. There was an unspoken unity, a bond that all shared. But today this city was alive in a new way. Although I live miles away from the city limits, this city is my city, one I am proud to embrace and call my own. Normally the vast problems stretch far beyond any jurisdiction, seeping into the surrounding communities. What makes today so special is that for the first time in nearly a decade, the achievements of that city encompass us all. Today, I am a Detroiter, and today I never been as proud to say so.
           So what then, you ask, could this city and state possibly find to be so incredibly positive about?The Detroit Lions. Soak it in, laugh a little. When you are finished, continue reading. The presidential primary doesn't start for another month. Ford Motor Company has found itself in a lockout that makes me (A HUGE NBA supporter and fan) chuckle at the notion of sports lockouts. The crime rate, exponential. The former mayor of Detroit was just released from prison and owes our city over a million dollars. Roads are falling apart, public schools are failing and the future economic plan is dreary with a chance of thunderstorms. To say that Michigan has some issues is an understatement. During the worst recessional period in the US since the great depression, Michigan is damn near bottom of the barrel. But who am I telling, the majority of my readers live/have family here. 
             When I awoke this morning, no economic development plan had been passed for our down trotten state. No job/works bills were being pushed into the house of legislation. The school attendance numbers did not jump over night and retirees were still going to be taxed on their pensions. From Sunday night to Monday morning there was little to no economical development in the state of Michigan as a whole. There was however, a new sun on the horizon. A sun that showed us that after years of embarrassment, underachievement and downright failure on a national level, we can compete. For all the industial departure, political promises and governmental failure, the fire we were trapped in burnt long and hot.  We have survived, barely. We will live to see another day, and that day is ours. There is no sudden fix for what our state/city has went through over the last decade except for perception and attitude adjustment. Some may think it is silly or ignorant to think that a sports team could instill a new direction into a much maligned area, but look around my doubting Thomas', it is happening.
           A team that literally went win less over the course of an entire season, only for the second time in NFL history, is now undefeated. And stretching into last season, they have recorded 9 straight wins, 13 counting preseason victories as well. So what is it that brought the laughing stock of all sports franchises out of the depths of hell, and into the rights of glory? Did they flip their team from head to toe and go a completely different direction, scraping everything from the previous two decades? In part, yes. The firings started from the top down, and the emergence of many young super stars were all part of the new face. But you cannot put on a new face without changing the thought in that mind, and we have. For the first time in maybe 30 years, these guys believe they can win. And maybe, just maybe this morning was the first time that Detroit thought it could win as well. To say that the Lions have erased 30 years of woes in five weeks is insane, and the same point has to be made about the city they reside in. But to say that both are turning the corner in not just optimistic, it is a bet I would gladly take.
          The Motor City is a rough place, not known as a place for venture capitalists or millionaire retreats. So how fitting is it that the team pulling our spirits out of the gutter holds the same mantra. If you look at some great teams, particularly the Steelers, they fit the attitude of the city. Finally our team fits the city on its shoulders. The chip we carry would have made most call off, go on injured reserve, or just plain quit. But not here, not in Detroit. The pride of Detroit has to be the 'phoenix' mentality. The flames may have left scars, but simply to remind us where we have been. Fight on Lions, fight on Detroit.