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Photo by: Dave Reginek \/ NHLI via Getty Images.<\/p>\n
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This rate has remained constant to this day.\u00a0 However, these findings led some Lions fans to speculate the Lions\u2019 success led to lower crime rates. While having no real correlation, it helped strengthen the bond of the sports culture in the city.<\/p>\n
Mayberry said \u201cgrit\u201d perfectly fits the culture of Detroit and its upcoming destination for events and sports.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt just sums up everything we\u2019ve all been through,\u201d Mayberry said. \u201cEveryone says they don\u2019t want to come to Detroit and that\u2019s fine. They sent Jared Goff to die and he came out leading the Lions’ den for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mayberry said the community is coming back together because of sports and it feels like we are back again.<\/p>\n
While the Lions made the \u201cgrit\u201d slogan popular, they are not the only team to adopt the grit moniker.<\/p>\n
During the improbable run in the 2024 postseason, the Detroit Tigers adopted the nickname \u201cGritty Tigs\u201d. This was after they made the postseason despite having 0.2% chance of making it back on Aug. 11, 2024.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Photo by: Nic Antaya\/Getty Images.<\/p>\n
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The Detroit Pistons had a historic turnaround after tripling their win total to make the NBA Playoffs in 2024. Their slogan for that playoff series against the New York Knicks was \u201cBack to Work\u201d, which was a callback to the 2004 \u201cGoing to Work\u201d Pistons, known for their toughness and gritty players.<\/p>\n
The Detroit Red Wings are on pace this 2025-2026 season to have their most wins, goals, and point totals since they last made the playoffs in the 2015-2016 season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Akili Rush, WSU freshman, said it has been inspiring to finally see the sports and the city become so great over the years.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m excited to finally see the city and teams on the up,\u201d Rush said. \u201cWe\u2019re watching it get better each year and so are the teams as a whole.<\/p>\n
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Photo by: Brian Sevald\/NBAE via Getty Images.<\/p>\n
Rush said he feels that stigmation targeted at the city has changed and that sports may play a factor but does not entirely drive the narrative.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it is just how they look at the city and realize it’s not so bad,\u201d Rush said. \u201cEverything is getting better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rush said events like the NFL Draft in 2024 allows sports fans and common travelers to come and see the changes in the city firsthand.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople from the outside are coming here and not judging on what\u2019s been promoted online, and (instead) seeing that it is cool to be here,\u201d Rush said.<\/p>\n
Sports aren\u2019t the only thing that has turned the city around, the overall outlook of the city has changed. Whether it was through the renovation of Michigan Central Station or the overall renovations downtown, the city has been making a comeback for the last decade.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ian Knox, WSU freshman, said he believes the city is now going to see major upgrades because of major events like the NFL Draft.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe see how people were at the Draft, we are going to see major changes to the city, ” Knox said. \u201cWe are already seeing the changes they are making downtown and it can be traced back to the Lions and the city being backed up.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to the City Of Detroit,<\/a> \u201cDetroit gained 1,852 residents between July 1, 2022, and July 1, 2023, marking the first time since 1957 Detroit has not lost population in the eyes of the Census Bureau.\u201d<\/p>\n Beyond the city\u2019s major teams, other Detroit franchises are also contributing to the excitement. Detroit City FC continues to draw support from fans at Keyworth Stadium and will move to AlumniField in 2027. The Pistons G League team, Motor City Cruise has brought energy to the Wayne State Fieldhouse, and fans can also enjoy events like the annual Detroit Grand Prix downtown showcasing IndyCar racing. Looking ahead, the WNBA will return to Detroit in 2029, adding another chapter to the city\u2019s culture.<\/p>\n People are now coming and staying in the city of Detroit. While sports may not be the full motive for the turnaround in the city, the impact sports have on devoted fans, and the city they reside in cannot be understated.<\/p>\n Jeremiah Green is a Sports Editor for The South End. He can be reached at\u00a0hl3743@wayne.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n Cover\u00a0photo by\u00a0Daniel Mears, The Detroit News.<\/p>\n