Football finals at Ford Field

Michigan's high school football season is over. Last weekend, eight teams in eight divisions were crowned state champions at the two-day finals at Detroit's Ford Field. It's been three years or so since the state championships were moved to Ford Field from the Pontiac Silverdome where the finals were held for over 25 years. Though I enjoyed going to the "Dome," I think the overall atmosphere and comfort level is much better at Ford Field.

First off, I don't have to wear gloves and a ski cap to keep warm while watching the finals at Ford Field. At the Silverdome, the temperature was so low icicles formed on the beams supporting the building -- or so it seemed. It's never good when you can see your breath when exhaling and you're indoors! At Ford Field, it's nice and balmy. I can actually work up quite a lather just walking around inside the downtown Detroit stadium. In fact, at this year's finals, I timed how long it took for me to walk one lap around the Ford Field concourse. Now mind you, this was just a saunter. I wasn't power walking or training for the Olympics. Heck, I was balancing two hot dogs and a large, slippery pop as I made my around the concourse. That being said, it took me 10 minutes to make one lap. I was somewhat surprised at how long it actually took. It's a good time-waster between games or at halftime or, if you're like me, you want to try and work off that Big Boy double-decker with fries you just inhaled. For whatever reason, taking a walk around the Ford Field concourse is a good idea.

At the Silverdome, if you tried doing a lap, you'd probably have frostbite by the time you arrived back at your seat, or your nose would be so cold and red you'd rival Rudolph for front of the pack on Santa's sleigh.

Of course, Ford Field is an absolutely stunning complex. From a beautiful brick facade outdoors to first class seating and views inside, Ford Field has to be one of the best football stadiums in the country. It's nice kind of having it to myself during the finals. I love the downtown Detroit location. After last Saturday's finals were complete, I was able to take a ride around downtown and see the gigantic Christmas tree all aglow in Campus Martius Park and watch the skaters make their way around on the rink below. Downtown is on its way back and it's nice to see so much activity happening in Detroit.

Now if Ford Field could only do something about the prices at the concession stands. Whoa, $6.50 for a bratwurst? Five dollars for a large pop? I'd have to walk quite a few laps around the stadium to work up that type of an appetite.