Ron Danneels This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. TRUE BLUE - thetimesherald.com

   www.thetimesherald.com/news/st - [Cached]

   Published on: 12/13/2003   Last Visited: 12/13/2003

   A TENSE MOMENT: Ron Danneels, center, and his sons Steve, 30, left, and Bob, 33, react as they watch the Detroit Lions football game last week against San Diego.
   ...
   ST. CLAIR -- Ron Danneels proudly calls his apartment "The Lions Den."
   
   "And here's the key to prove it," he said, showing the blue and silver front-door key he had made.
   
   There's nary a spot in his quaint, one-story home that isn't covered with something from the Detroit Lions.
   ...
   If fact, Danneels, who started collecting about eight years ago, still is looking for more.
   
   "I love the Lions," said Danneels, who buys most of his collectibles on the TV channel, QVC.
   
   It's the outside of the apartment, at the corner of Brown and Third streets, that has gotten the attention of area residents each Sunday afternoon this fall.
   
   Two gigantic Lions blowup figures, fittingly nicknamed Blue 1 and Blue 2, greet drivers as they pass by. Both are about 8 feet tall.
   
   Lions flags, umbrellas, pennants and a barbecue with, of course, Lions stickers covering it, also are scattered throughout the yard.
   
   Danneels' two sons, Steve and Bob, share their dad's love of the team.
   ...
   Ron said he can't remember the three missing a game together in 20 years.
   ...
   "We've had people get out of their cars and take pictures," said Ron, a General Motors worker.
   ...
   Ron usually supplies the beer, pop, brats and chips.
   ...
   They watch the game on Ron's 62-inch television, which he bought just to see the Lions up close and personal. And they change the channel -- which only happens at halftime or when the game is over -- with a remote control football that they often toss around the living room during timeouts.
   
   Sunday's game didn't start well for the Lions as the Chargers took a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter on their way to a 14-7 win.
   
   "We can't even beat a 2-10 team," Ron said after that first touchdown.