For you Detroit Lions fans out there, the team announced that it and Ford will continue their partnership, which allows the car manufacturer to keep the naming rights to the stadium where the Lions play home games. That is, well, not really interesting news, but it's something. The team thought it was important, of course.
So much so that the Lions put out a teaser ahead of the announcement. All-time great running back Barry Sanders was part of the teaser, and so was current head coach Dan Campbell. That made sense. But Kid Rock was also part of it. Why?
Kid Rock is not an owner of the team and does not seem to have any real attachment other than being a megafan. Another musical artist who is a fan of the team is Eminem. He might have been a better choice in the video than Kid Rock because while Eminem's lyrics can be somewhat controversial, Kid Rock's non-music opinions are consistently divisive.
Detroit Lions likely regret including Kid Rock in recent promotional video
If one needed further proof of that last bit, one can look at the comment section of the Detroit Lions' Instagram teaser and how fans reacted to Kid Rock's presence.
One comment read, "We don't need Kid Rock in any Lions videos." Another read, "Love everyone here except Kid Rock please get Eminem instead." And yet another said, "Kid Rock is an embarrassment to this gathering of great human beings."
How do the Lions feel about their decision to include the performer in the video now? The teaser was about the Ford-Lions partnership, but almost all the top comments are about how much Kid Rock is disliked. It is unlikely the Detroit football team saw this coming, and hopefully, they regret the inclusion of a performer.
Of course, having Kid Rock in the video only helps him and not the team. It is free publicity for someone who has struggled to remain culturally relevant in selling lots of records. Let's hope that if the Lions make another trailer, they include some different (and truly excellent) musical acts next time, such as Eminem, Big Sean, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, or Bob Seger.
Detroit Lions fans would probably be happier with any of those choices. The team should be happier to avoid such negative reaction that had little to do with the actual announcement.