THE CURSE HAS NOT ENDED

The dictionary defines a curse as a solemn utterance intended to invoke a supernatural power to inflict harm or punishment on someone or something.

Bobby Layne played professional football for 15 years. He became a Detroit Lion in 1950.He played quarterback for the Lions for 8 years. He led Detroit to three NFL championships in the 1950's. This was the pre-Super Bowl era. Bobby led the Lions to the 1957 championship. It was the last time the Detroit Lions played in or won a championship. This took place 69 years ago.

Bobby was very popular in Detroit. The players, the fans and the press loved Bobby. The Detroit Lions chose to trade Bobby at the beginning of the 1958 season. Bobby along with everyone in Detroit was very upset about the trade. When Bobby left the clubhouse for the last time he shouted according to people there, "this team will not win another championship for fifty years." This became known as the curse of Bobby Lane.

The Detroit Lions were bought by William Clay Ford in 1963. Mr. Ford ran the team until his death in 2014. Mr. Ford's wife took over as chairman of the Lions at the age of almost 90 after her husband's death. The team showed some improvement under her leadership. Mrs. Ford handed the team over to her daughter in 2020. The team continued to show some improvement under the leadership of Mrs. Ford's daughter Sheila.

Dan Campbell was hired as head coach. They had two good years in 2023 and 2024 when they had a record of 15 wins and 2 loses. Super Bowl talk was in the air after the 2024 regular season. The Lions did not live up to expectations in the playoffs and again failed to make the Super Bowl. The Lions fans were again disappointed.

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Sunday January 4,2026 the Lions wrapped up this past season with a record of 9 wins and 8 loses. No Playoffs no Super Bowls. The season is over.

The Detroit football fans have always been extremely supportive. This is actually an understatement! I Started attending Lion's games in the mid 1950's I saw Bobby Layne play. By my mid-teens I was a Lions season ticket holder when they still played at Tiger Stadium in Detroit. {$42.00 for a season ticket.} I attended or watched almost all Lions Games. When I started following the Lions the late Van Patrick a very popular sportscaster was calling the play by play.

Most of Detroit's loyal following was not even born the last time the Lions won a championship. Many are very young and are still hopeful. I hope for those fans the Lions will be in a Super Bowl someday. Personally, for me it does not seem like something very important anymore. You might say I don't give a damn!

Why have the Detroit Lions performed so poorly for most of the past 69 years? There can only be one answer. The curse of Bobby Layne. Will the curse ever end? I don't know it must have been a very powerful curse.

WRITTEN BY

RON TURETT

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