Mothers have a unique way of shaping our lives—and for many of us, that includes our love for sports. Whether it's cheering from the stands, driving us to practice, or simply being present through every win and loss, their impact runs deep. Today, we're celebrating the moms who helped fuel our sports journeys and fandom, especially for the Detroit Lions.

Women's sports are experiencing a golden era. The WNBA has produced household names, college athletics are seeing record participation, and TV ratings are soaring. Right here in Detroit, we just got exciting news: the city is joining the Professional Women's Hockey League. It's a reminder that women belong in every corner of the sports world—including the stands and the sidelines.

For me, my dad gets the credit for planting the Lions seed. I'll never forget watching him hurl his radio headset after a tough loss or leap off the couch when Barry Sanders weaved his magic. But my mom was right there with us during those Sundays at the Silverdome. Sure, she might've been buried in a book half the time—but she showed up. She wanted to be part of my world, through the highs and the heartbreaks.

Her support went far beyond game days. She drove me to soccer practice, brought orange slices when it was her turn, and never missed a baseball game. She even volunteered as scorekeeper because she loved being involved. Her own passion for tennis sparked my high school career in the sport, and she was courtside for my biggest matches.

Now, as I build a career in sports, she's still my biggest fan. She tunes into our podcasts live, even when she's not sure what we're talking about. She donates during Movember and even wrote a piece for Pride of Detroit. She brags about me to anyone who mentions the Lions. And she's already buzzing about the team playing near her in Miami this year. Best of all? She keeps the eye rolls hidden—at least when I'm looking—when I have to step away from family time to cover a game.

So here's to the moms who make our sports journeys possible. Whether they're reading a book in the stands or keeping score, their love is the ultimate game-changer.