Whitmer, Duggan Declare 'Honolulu Blue Day' for NFL Draft In Detroit

DETROIT — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan are encouraging Michiganders to wear Honolulu Blue and Silver to Honor the Lions at the first day of the 2024 NFL Draft.

"Our state is home to some of the best stories in football. The Wolverines won the natty and our Lions became America’s team as they fought their way to their first NFC Championship Game in 32 years," Whitmer said. "Let’s celebrate our teams, our city, and show the world what Michigan is all about."

The Detroit Lions adopted the Honolulu Blue as its primary color after original owner George A. Richards vacationed in Hawaii and found a liking to the unique shade of the Pacific Ocean and color.

"Detroit Lions players brag all the time that Detroit has the greatest football fans anywhere. They proved it during the Lions' amazing playoff run last season, even showing up in huge numbers in opposing teams’ territory," Duggan said. "This is a chance for Lions fans to show their pride in the heart of downtown as the eyes of the world are on our city, once again."

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Officials expect roughly 300,000 football fans to pack the downtown areas around Campus Martius Park next Thursday through Saturday. The draft officially begins at noon Thursday with the first selection coming a little after 8 p.m. that evening. The draft runs through 6 p.m. Saturday.

The Detroit Lions are slated to pick at No. 29, though they can try to move up or down in the draft.