Lions fan wins Super Bowl trip, Stafford’s companionship
Published: February 3rd, 2012 | Tags: Super Bowl XLVI, Barry Sanders, Cam Newton, Detroit Lions, Joe Montana, John Tracy, Matthew Stafford
INDIANAPOLIS — Let’s chat about loyalty for a second.

Lions fan John Tracy (left) meets with QB Matthew Stafford on Friday on Radio Row. (Alix Drawec/NFL)
For the past 26 years, die-hard Lions fan John Tracy has watched from afar as Detroit endured one mind-boggling, train-wreck season after another.
Sure, this season’s playoff run was a boost to Tracy’s psyche, but DIRECTV went one step farther, naming him America’s Ultimate Displaced Fan.
Tracy, 39, hails from West Des Moines, Iowa, a pro football Siberia that’s left him to fend for himself in random sports bars, not afraid to hide the Honolulu blue Lions tattoo that stretches across his calf.
“I put together a little video to prove to them my Lions loyalty over the last 26 years, and proved to them that I am a displaced fan in Iowa. Most people are Packers fans, Bears, Vikings,” Tracy said. “Through a lot of losing seasons I’ve stuck with them, and thanks to (Lions QB) Matthew Stafford now, winning ways are back around.”
Ttacy’s prize? Two tickets to Super Bowl XLVI (he’s bringing his wife, Amy) and a hangout session with Stafford.
The perks don’t end with the game: Tracy, who bears resemblance to a more-mature Doogie Howser, M.D., will play with Joe Montana, Cam Newton and his hero, Barry Sanders, in Saturday’s DIRECTV Celebrity Beach Bowl flag-football game.
Tracy promises he’s not about to go diva, but he has a plan: “My whole thing is, I think I’m going up against Joe Montana. So, what kid wouldn’t pick off a ball from Joe Montana?”
– Marc Sessler


