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Forward down the field

The Detroit Lions fight song, "Gridiron Heroes," is one of the oldest fight songs in the NFL. When the Portsmouth Spartans moved to Detroit in 1934, owner G. A. Richards changed the name to the Lions to keep with the "cat" theme the Tigers had started, and asked the Wayne State director of bands, Graham Overgard, to write a fight song.

The song is sung after every Lions score. Many fans don't know that what is sung at the stadium is actually the chorus. There is a verse that precedes the chorus, but it is rarely heard and has become forgotten.

Lyrics to "Gridiron Heroes"
(Verse)
Hail the colors Blue and Silver let them wave.
Sing their song and cheer the Gridiron Heroes brave,
Fighting for fame, winning the game,
Dashing to victory as they go.

(Chorus)
Forward down the field,
A charging team that will not yield.
And when the Blue and Silver wave,
Stand and cheer the brave.
Rah, rah, rah.
Go hard, win the game.
With honor you will keep your fame.
Down the field and gain,
A Lions victory!

GO LIONS!

"Fat" Bob Taylor

Norah Duncan

The Tradition
The tradition of singing the fight song after every Lions score is a murky one. Circa 1993, the Lions hired "Fat" Bob Taylor, The Singing Plumber, to sing the song at the Silverdome.

From 1998 to 2003, Norah Duncan took over the singing duties. "At times, I felt like the Maytag repairman in those 1970s commercials," Duncan said, "always ready to work but rarely called on. I did enjoy the games, especially when they were in the Silverdome. I could bring guests and family. When they moved to Ford Field there were no provisions for a singer, so I left. I found out it was easier watching them lose on television than in the stadium. I could always turn off the television."

Theo "Gridiron" Spight

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Eastern Market Tailgate Lot 1

Map to Tailgate Party

Theo "Gridiron" Spight
The current Voice of the Lions is Theo "Gridiron" Spight, who is a loyal Lions fan and spokesman for the team. Theo has been known to show up at our tailgate parties to lead us in a stirring rendition of "Gridiron Heroes," and always gets the crowd fired-up. We are proud of the fact that the Lions are undefeated when Theo sings at the tailgate party.

Theo also sings and plays guitar for the Dan Rafferty Band, an excellent band well-versed in Detroit's musical tradition. You can find them playing all around the metro-Detroit area.