The Detroit Lions won the NFC North this year, their first division title since winning the former NFC Central Division way back in 1993. It was a monumental moment for the franchise, as they hadn’t won the NFC North since its inception before the 2002 season, one of two teams to not win a division title in that span.
Naturally, the Lions opted to celebrate their division title with a banner at Ford Field commemorating the season, which sits next to a banner that honors each of their three division titles while competing in the now-defunct NFC Central.
Spruced the place up a bit pic.twitter.com/zpySFZZOye
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 5, 2024
However, fans were not too impressed by the decision. Some took to social media to joke about how the Lions chose to hang a banner for just winning the division, as they are a team that hasn’t even been to a Super Bowl in their history.
In the words of Mike McCarthy:
— GBP Daily - Rob Westerman lll (@GBPdaily) January 5, 2024
“Our organization doesn’t hang up division title banners up around here.” 💯
They hang division banners... https://t.co/X4nHYVfbKI pic.twitter.com/qJ3k6AJ1Tf
— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) January 5, 2024
Same vibes. https://t.co/VZDVEPqpRF pic.twitter.com/4Xs3SKCnx6
— The Brohioan (@TheBrohioan) January 5, 2024
wow 4 whole division titles since the merger https://t.co/zdRJDsbGS7 pic.twitter.com/XFcrRqfYGh
— Shaner (@shaner5000) January 5, 2024
https://t.co/8wBaM0YITj pic.twitter.com/X3GOyHKhGn
— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) January 5, 2024
Surprised the #Lions didn’t hang this one up instead https://t.co/qT066WEeHT pic.twitter.com/8tw89VACSF
— Ernie (@es3_09) January 5, 2024
Got that divorced dad apartment feel https://t.co/I4eLSCagEm pic.twitter.com/qitDpysUV4
— Paully B (@boringbuildr) January 5, 2024
Most teams have the luxury of being more selective with their banners, as the Lions have been one of the least successful teams in the NFL. Still, it is reasonable for Detroit to want to celebrate such an accomplishment when it hasn’t been able to do so in three decades.