GoLions Go! Chicago Star Writer, Terry Poulos, Video Play by Play

Chicago Star Writer, Terry Poulos, Play by play for Detroit Lions
by Contributing Writer, Elena Kerasiotis

Terry Poulos, writer and Chicago's Greek Media guru, visited Detroit last weekend to video those instant replay shots that hold every viewer in suspense until "upstairs" makes a final decision. Terry had the dubious distinction to be the man behind the video camera and Malista was invited to go along.

Meeting Terry for the first time was an exciting idea. We had been corresponding via e-mail for the past two years about the Greeks in the Media and the success the group had had in the Chicago area. Through a series of near misses, Terry was able to finally make it happen. Always on the look for Greeks in Detroit, he has introduced me to several prominent media stars connected to Chicago. (see profile on Reporter Labrini Lukidis, Grand Rapids and Olympic figure skater, Maria Papasotiriou)

As a long time Detroiter, I have watched the city slowly reincarnate as a Sports mecca, with the building of Joe Louis Arena, Comerica Park, and Ford field. I have watched in awe as the crowds pass my building on St. Antoine, on their summer visits to see the Detroit Tigers ball games, but I have never had the opportunity to see a live Lions game.

So when Terry called to say he had two tickets for the game, I called a friend and true Lion's fan, Barbara Fortune, and headed downtown to meet Terry for a quick tour of Detroit's Greektown, and then on to the game. We started at the Garden Hilton for coffee and then meandered down Monroe, stopping at Athens Gifts and Music and then on to the Annunciation Cathedral (see picture in gallery).

Duly impressed, we headed back to the rapidly filling Ford Field. Terry headed to the press area high above the field perched in the third tier of the covered stadium. Despite the brisk chill outside, the stadium was a comfortable 70 degrees, making the once mandatory hot chocolate thermos and seat warmers obsolete. Honestly, the luxury of it all was heady. How things change and yet remain the same.

The game began and the rules started to come back to me from the countless games attended while in college at MSU, as a Spartan. It amazed me how things just some how come back to you automatically, 10 yard penalties, turn overs, hold that line, defense, defense, defense, Go team Go. The arena was din was infectious.

Clasping our programs, we watched in dazed disbelief as the Lions were trounced. We couldn't believe it, where was the team that had scored over 4 goals just the week before? Well you can't have it all, comp tickets and a winning game, no way. For those of you looking for a special afternoon, being in downtown Detroit, with crowds reminiscent of the Super Bowl, a Lions game at Ford field on a sunny autumn day is just the ticket, win or lose. Despite layoffs and dread recession, Detroiters remain loyal to their teams through it all.
Special thanks to Terry for introducing Malista to one of Detroit's newest landmarks up close and personal, more to the power of the press. See you at the game. "Hold that line, hold that line, Rah! Rah!... "

Malista!