DETROIT — As the clock ticked down on the Detroit Lions’ first playoff victory in three decades, the scene at Ford
DETROIT — As the clock ticked down on the Detroit Lions’ first playoff victory in three decades, the scene at Ford Field must have been difficult to describe for the crowd of over 66,000.
At least one story could be told through tears.
That was 35-year-old Arron Wikaryasz’s outpouring of emotion, captured on NBC’s broadcast in the final minutes of the 24-23 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. It was a memorable moment for many, and the Grand Rapids native wishes he could have shared it with his father.
He was a diehard Lions fan, so seeing them in victory formation there, man, it just came full circle for me,” Wikaryasz told MLive.
“It wasn’t just a game. I knew how thrilled my father would have been to see them win, so I was glad I was there. I was 14 years old when he died, so I barely knew my father as a man. So it can be difficult to connect at times, but when I go to a Lions game, I feel like I’m 12, 13 years old again.”
As a child, Arron and his father Joseph went to games at the Pontiac Silverdome because the elder Wikaryasz had season tickets. In 2002, both were in attendance to watch the Lions defeat the Dallas Cowboys in the stadium’s final game.
Joseph Wikaryasz worked as a union ironworker for Local 25 in Detroit for 20 years, contributing to the construction of Ford Field. In November 1999, construction began on the Lions’ new home. By the time the team relocated downtown, the family could no longer afford season tickets. Tragically, Joseph died in a car accident one day after leaving work.
“So I think a lot of my emotion was because I know how long it’s been since we won, and I know a lot of loyal Lions fans.
Since his father’s death, Wikaryasz has made it his goal to attend at least one game each season. However, Sunday’s playoff game was not part of the plan.
Wikaryasz’s brother, Robby Meadows, surprised him with playoff tickets after the two had already gone to Detroit Pistons and Red Wings games that weekend. (“Like a trifecta,” Wikaryasz explained.)
At the game, he was able to reconnect with his mother and stepfather, and the entire crew had the opportunity to meet former Lions kicker Jason Hanson.
“The energy there was unreal,” Wikaryasz said. “I believe Dan Campbell expressed it best in his post-interview speech. He said if you were here tonight, you’ll remember it for the rest of your life. And that’s it, dude. “I’ll remember this for the rest of my life as a fan.”
Since Sunday’s victory, Wikaryasz has been inundated with media requests. One TV reporter suggested that his joy over the Lions’ victory represented the city of Detroit.
“I say, ‘Hold on. “I’m not sure if I embody Detroit.” Wikaryasz explained. “That’s a large city with
