Lions fan walks from Upper Peninsula home to team HQ, hoping 400-plus mile trek inspires team

Lions fan walks 400-plus miles to team’s practice

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Joe Paquette Jr. says he walked some 400 miles from his home in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to the Motor City because he’s a die-hard fan of the Detroit Lions.

Paquette arrived at team headquarters Wednesday and was greeted by coach Jim Schwartz, quarterback Matthew Stafford and other players.

The 63-year-old fan says he started his trek from Munising on Aug. 8. He says he walked as much as 32 miles a day during the two-week journey he hopes inspires the team, which has been among the NFL’s worst the past few seasons.

Schwartz says Lions fans never cease to amaze him. Paquette plans to attend Detroit’s preseason game Saturday night against Cleveland.