Crying Lions fan gifted playoff tickets against Tampa Bay after going viral in stands for Detroit’s first win in 32 years
Best known to social media as the 'Crying Lions Fan,' Arron Wikaryasz has been rewarded with precious tickets to another Detroit playoff game.
Wikaryasz failed to contain his emotions in the stands following the Lions' 24-23 home win over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday in an NFC Wild Card game.
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Footage of the teary-eyed Detroit supporter caught the eye of a fellow Lions fan, who gifted Wikaryasz tickets to the Lions' Divisional Round contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Ford Field.
"We saw him on television the same way everybody did and he’s just become this phenomenon," Michigan attorney Mark Bernstein told .
Bernstein also delivered Wikaryasz a signed Barry Sanders football, creating another unbelievable experience for the Crying Lions Fan.
"The ability to share this with with him is just a huge, huge honour," Bernstein said.
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While some initially believed that Wikaryasz was just another Lions supporter overcome with joy after Detroit won its first playoff game in 32 years, the longtime fan revealed that he has an even deeper personal connection with the Lions.
Wikaryasz spent his youth going to Detroit games with his father, an ironworker who helped build Ford Field.
But his father died in a car crash when Wikaryasz was 14, according to Fox 2.
"It’s hard for me to connect to my dad as an adult, as a man, because I just don’t know him like that," Wikaryasz said.
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"So these Lions games are always special to me to connect with him out in the world. I can always come back to Ford field and revisit that connection."
With fiery head coach Dan Campbell and quarterback Jared Goff, the Lions have taken over Detroit and created more excitement than the franchise has seen in decades.
Detroit Lions players chant Jared Goff's name in locker room as 32 years of waiting ends for playoff win
"Jared Goff! Jared Goff!" shouted Lions players, as Goff walked into the locker after downing the Rams and bringing Wikaryasz to tears.
Detroit will attempt to reach the NFC Championship game by beating the Bucs.
Tampa Bay has won six of its last seven games and is riding the hot hand of Baker Mayfield, who recently outplayed Jalen Hurts as the Buccaneers ended the Philadelphia Eagles' season.
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