ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- At the beginning of the calendar year, Martin Mayhew and Tom Lewand took over as General Manager and Team President, respectively. Less than one month after that, Jim Schwartz was brought in as head coach.
Then in March, Schwartz began his first offseason program at the helm of an NFL team and his new roster has been working hard.
With all of those new components in place, the Detroit Lions organization added another one Monday, unveiling a new brand at Dunham’s Sports in Madison Heights.
“We are undergoing an organizational transformation right now,” said Lewand at the unveiling. “It’s not just about those 53 guys competing on Sunday afternoon.
“It’s about changing a culture within our organization and within our community that says, ‘We are going to do this the right way and we are going to start from the ground floor and we’re going to build a championship football team that year-in and year-out the people of the City of Detroit can be proud of.’ This is our representation of that.”
With that, Lewand unveiled the new logo and logotype, revealing the look to all of the fans on hand for the event.
Following the unveiling, five Lions players – Calvin Johnson, Kevin Smith, Dominic Raiola, Ernie Sims and Jason Hanson – sported new team uniforms for the fans and media in attendance.
“I’m excited for a new start as we move on this offseason,” said Raiola after the unveiling. “This is exciting. It’s an honor to be a part of.”
The new Lions’ logo isn’t far off from the traditional logo that has evolved over the years. The outline of the Honolulu Blue Lion is still there, but it now has some muscular accents. The logotype has a new flow to it, complete with “tail-like” tips to the letters and numbers.
“I like it. I really like the new logo,” said Hanson. “I think that the new lion looks really good and it’s a good update. I think it was time – I’ve been here long enough (laughter). I mean, the old lion is fine, but this is better. I think it looks good.”
In his opening statement, Lewand talked about the changes the Lions’ organization is making, both in regards to the new logo and from a team standpoint.
“The most important way we can do that is on the field and we understand that,” he said. “That is by far and away the most important element of what we are as an organization.”
After a difficult 2008 for the Lions’ organization, players are glad to see something new to go along with a fresh start from a coaching standpoint. Schwartz held his first mini-camp this past weekend and, after the draft this weekend, the Lions will be that much further along in the transition.
“I think it’s good timing,” said Hanson. “I’m pretty sure this was in the works before we had the bad year last year, so it’s good timing in that sense to kind of just do things different and move on. It’s a good look. I like the black in the uniform and I think the guys like that.
“I respect the Honolulu blue, but the darker colors help too. I think the guys like it, and ultimately it’s how we play. But certainly I think it gives a little bit fresher look to the team.”
One thing is for certain – the event was not without fan support.
Fans filled the back of the Dunham’s store, making up a bigger turnout than was even expected. Prior to the players walking up on stage, Lewand welcomed kids up on stage and handed out new Lions’ t-shirts. Then after the event, players signed autographs and talked to fans before leaving.
“I’m not surprised (with the fan turnout) at all,” said Lewand. “I’m pleased – but, I’m not surprised. I’ve known for a long time that we’ve got some great, great fans; they’re the best in the NFL. They care about the Lions and that’s why it gives us that much more encouragement that when we get this product the way it’s supposed to be and we build a team the way it’s supposed to be built, that our fans are going to respond accordingly.
“They’ve got a show-me attitude and that’s great. We’re doing our best to show them that we’re doing it the right way.”
