Betina Braga
Germany
Betina Braga is the 2025 Detroit Lions International Fan of the Year. She's based in São Paulo, Brazil. Her journey as a Detroit Lions fan started in 2015, during her exchange year in Michigan. On her second day in the U.S, the host family took her to a University of Michigan game. The very next day, she watched her first NFL game, a Lions matchup. They weren't winning, but that didn't matter. What caught her was the host family's unshakeable loyalty. Cheering until the final whistle That perseverance, that "one pride" spirit, was the moment she realized this is her team.
Back in Brazil, a couple years later, football became even more meaningful when her late father, discovered her like for the sport and patiently taught her the rules, one by one while we were watching games. That became their bond, and, a turning point, when football became a part of Betina's life.
Being a Lions fan isn't something she does. It's something she lives. Watching every game, every update, and every storyline, and sharing all of it enthusiastically with the community around. The Lions aren't just her team; they're the heartbeat, the home, and the story that made her the fan she is.
In Brazil, she have become known as "the Lions girl," not because she tried to be, but because people can feel how much this team is a part of her life and she's very proud of that and to be able to share that energy. She even made her own pair of Lions-themed pants to wear at the game she attended in 2025.
The Lions have taught her loyalty, perseverance, and optimism, no matter the score. And with her naturally energetic, bubbly personality, she tries to spread that spirit everywhere she goes. She doesn't just follow the team; she celebrates it, carries it, and shares it.
Her connection to this team is deep, emotional, and lifelong. On her quote: "If I could, I'd trade my blood for Honolulu Blue", that's how strongly this team runs through her. One pride all the way.
In Brazil, she helps manage Playcall Brasil, their motto captures exactly what they aim to do: "Where football speaks Portuguese.". They break down the sport in a way that feels accessible, fun, and welcoming for new fans. They create a space where anyone can learn and fall in love with the NFL, no matter their level of knowledge.
Covering the release of "Reizinho," the Lions' Brazilian mascot, even led her to step onto Ford Field, a surreal, full-circle moment that was a dream coming to life. Experiences like that allow her to bring fans closer to the team and the league in ways that feel personal and meaningful.
Through every conversation, post, event, chat and collaboration, her goal is simple: to grow the NFL's presence internationally by sharing the same passion that once drew her in. She wants people to feel that football isn't just a sport, it's a community they can belong to.