Detroit Lions Honor Memory of All-Time Great Fan ‘Yooperman’

The Detroit Lions paid tribute to the memory of one of their greatest fans this week, Donnie "Yooperman" Stefanski.

Stefanski would get up at 1:00 a.m. on game days to make the 365-mile drive from Goetzville in the U.P. to arrive in Detroit by 7:00 a.m. He first got season tickets in 1994 and called the Lions "my second family."

The Detroit Lions' video tribute has been viewed over 100,000 times with many fans sharing stories. Some talked about meeting him, sitting by him at a game or visiting his restaurant in the U.P., Yooperman's Bar and Restaurant.

Fans and friends shared these comments:

• "A great guy and never complained when we brought the kids and they would kick his seat, instead he gave them high fives."
• "Our area won’t be the same without him!"
• "I hope they play their hearts out this season in his memory!"
• "A great guy and great part of the Lions family."
• "The ultimate fan."

R.I.P. Yooperman.