Big Sean made it loud and clear during his pop-up event on Saturday in Royal Oak—he’s all in for the Detroit Lions’ Week 2 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field.
The Detroit native flew in early to host a meet-and-greet at Burn Rubber, a popular sneaker shop, to promote his new album, *Better Me Than You*. And while his new music was the focus, his love for the Lions stole the show.
It’s no shock that Big Sean’s committed to attending the game. He’s a die-hard sports fan and an even bigger Lions supporter. He’s partnered with the team on various occasions, including a halftime performance during their Thanksgiving Day game in 2021.
Before the Lions took on the Bucs, Big Sean sat down to talk about his passion for the team, his predictions for the season, and whether Ford Field is truly as loud as people say.
On his viral moment with Calvin Johnson after the Lions’ wild-card win last season:
Big Sean said it was a beautiful moment for Detroit. “Calvin Johnson’s my boy, and the whole team really. I’ve been kicking it with Jared Goff and the other players, so yeah, it’s a great time to be a Lions fan,” he said. “They unite the city like no other team here.”
On his expectations for the Lions this season:
“I don’t have any expectations,” he said, reflecting on last year’s NFC Championship loss to the 49ers. “It was a tough loss, but I don’t want that to overshadow all the good games they won. I’ve learned not to set expectations anymore, but I think they’re going to go far.”
On his favorite Lions player right now:
Big Sean gave props to rookie Jahmyr Gibbs for his ability to navigate through tough spots. He also shouted out Amon-Ra St. Brown, who’s been a longtime favorite. “Honestly, I rock with all of them,” he said, praising the team’s depth on both offense and defense.
On Jared Goff’s transformation in Detroit:
Sean believes coming to Detroit was a blessing in disguise for Goff. “I know he probably thought they sent him here to die, but he turned it into the best thing for his career,” he said. “Detroit cherishes him, and the way he leads this team is huge for all of us.”
On the buzz around Jameson Williams hanging out in the city after games:
Big Sean brushed it off, saying it’s natural for people to get excited about seeing athletes out and about. “It’s a big deal for people, and I get it.”
On whether Ford Field is the loudest venue he’s been in:
Big Sean recalled the electric atmosphere during the Lions’ playoff win last season, saying it was one of the loudest experiences of his life. However, nothing topped the time Eminem made a surprise appearance at one of his concerts at Joe Louis Arena. “That was the loudest I’ve ever heard any crowd. But Ford Field that day—definitely a close second,” he said.
Big Sean’s love for the Lions runs deep, and as they gear up for their next game, he’ll be there in Ford Field, repping his hometown team all the way.
