Behind the Scenes with FOX's NFL crew: An up-close look at star rookie Jayden Daniels

By Richie Zyontz
FOX NFL Lead Producer

Editor's Note: Richie Zyontz has been an NFL producer for FOX since 1994 and is in his 23rd season as the lead producer. He has more than 40 years of experience covering the league and has produced seven Super Bowls. Throughout the 2024 NFL season, he is providing an inside look as FOX's new No. 1 NFL team, including NFL legend Tom Brady, makes its journey toward Super Bowl LIX. Read more behind-the-scenes stories from Richie Zyontz here .

The Detroit Lions and their Honolulu Blues — such a classic pairing. Like ham and cheese, Abbott and Costello or Montana to Rice, it's hard to imagine one without the other.

For 90 years since moving from Portsmouth, Ohio in 1934, Honolulu Blue has been the color prominently featured on the Lions’ home uniforms. Their owner at the time, George Richards, selected it from a catalog, claiming it reminded him of the ocean hues he admired on a Hawaiian vacation.

Jared Goff sports the iconic Honolulu Blue of the Detroit Lions.

And on Saturday night, under the bright indoor lights of Ford Field, the Lions and their Honolulu Blues took on the white and burgundy-clad Washington Commanders in an NFC divisional round matchup.

In a few short years, Detroit has gone from bumbling losers into a team every network wants to cover. They haven't won a championship since 1957, when Eisenhower was president, the Ford Thunderbird was the rage of the road, and "Gunsmoke" was television’s highest-rated show. 

That title team featured seven Hall of Famers and was quarterbacked by the notable hard-living, tough guy Bobby Layne — the Blonde Bomber.

A Tale of Two QBs …

Unfortunately, on Saturday night, the Lions' current blonde quarterback Jared Goff didn't play