His name is Willie Stone. He's been a Detroit Lions' season ticket holder since he saw his first game at University of Detroit Stadium in 1949. He hasn't missed a home game in 61 years. Mr. Stone is 88 years old.
Willie Stone caught the pigskin bug after his army service and has followed the Lions from the University of Detroit Stadium to Briggs Stadium, which later became Tiger Stadium, then to the Pontiac Silverdome and now to Ford Field.
Being a season ticket holder for six decades brings with it some privilege:
"When they built Ford Field, which is a beautiful field, I was invited by the ticket manager to choose any seats I wanted in the house - before the seats were even installed. My seats are 20 rows up on the 50-yard line on the Lions' side."
Back in the day, the HBWHOF's favourite bar was the old Hoot Robinson's across the street from Tiger Stadium...
I had some amazing times in that joint. I remember the old guy behind the bar used to regale me with tales of Babe Ruth scarfing-down mass quantities of hotdogs before walking across the street to launch baseballs into the seats at Tiger Stadium.
So, I really enjoyed this quote from Mr. Stone:
"I remember cheering on Bobby Layne after he left (Hoot) Robinson's across the street (from Tiger Stadium), then watching him go on the field to play. But he played great. He was one of the greatest quarterbacks I've ever seen."
How sweet is that? Bobby Layne quaffing beers at Hoot's and then quarterbacking the Lions to NFL Championships in the 1950's...
Detroit Lions draft pick, DT Nick Fairley, is greeted upon arrival in Allen Park by season ticket holder Willie Stone...
