Courtesy Photo From left to right, Alpena County Sheriff Erik Smith, Undersheriff Cash Kroll, Corrections Deputy Rachel Hunt, and Sgt. Michael Jones pose in their Detroit Lions hats in this undated courtesy photo. In a recent press release, Smith announced that, like many other sheriff’s offices and police departments, he authorized agency personnel to wear Detroit Lions hats while in uniform. That will continue as long as the Lions are in the playoffs and they make the journey toward the Super Bowl.

ALPENA — Deputies, corrections officers, and other Alpena County Sheriff’s Office employees are showing their support for the Detroit Lions during its historic quest to go and win the Super Bowl.

County Sheriff Erik Smith has allowed his staff to tweak their uniforms a bit and wear Lions hats while at work.

Smith said the move allows fans of the team to show off their support for the franchise and also bolsters department morale.

Smith said his employees can wear the hats until the Lions win the Super Bowl or get knocked out of the playoffs.

For the first time, the Lions earned the NFC’s top playoff seed last week with a win over the Minnesota Vikings and broke the team’s record for wins in a season by going 15-2.

The team won’t host its first playoff game this season until next weekend, and Detroit’s opponent won’t be known until this weekend’s games wrap up.

“We have some hardcore Lions fans that have suffered for many years,” Smith said. “This could be a once-in-a-lifetime thing for them, so I decided to let them celebrate the team’s success.”

Smith admitted that all of the recent news about county budget cuts and deputies possibly losing their jobs has worn his staff. He said lightening the mood helps improve morale a bit.

He said that, in his eyes, the Lions and the Sheriff’s Office are similar, because often both have had to work hard to overcome controversies and challenges.

“We kind of draw inspiration from the Lions, because I kind of think of us as an underdog, like the team has been for many years,” Smith said. “But we both always work hard to do our best and succeed.”

Smith, who said he is a lifelong Lions fan, said he does everything he can to pump up his staff and keep them on track during trying times.

“I’m a cheerleader for the department, and I’m trying to be a good motivator, like (Lions coach) Dan Campbell,” the sheriff said. “I try to fire our team up and do the best I can to go out and work hard and succeed. I know letting them wear the Lions hats is just a little thing, but it does help boost morale and allows people to have a little more fun at work.”

Like most Lions fans, Smith and other fans of the team at the Sheriff’s Office have suffered through many losing seasons and heartbreaking defeats.

Now, they are just enjoying the ride as the team begins its march toward a possible Super Bowl appearance. The Lions have never made it to the Super Bowl.

When asked how far he believes the Lions can go in the playoffs, the sheriff confidently said the team could become champions because of their determination and grit.

“I think they can win the Super Bowl,” he said. “Sometimes, determination is more powerful than skill. The Lions have both.”

The Super Bowl will be played in New Orleans at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 9.