Metallica shows love to Detroit Lions in leadup to 49ers game: 'In Dan we trust'

Of the many narratives heading into Sunday's Lions-49ers game, Metallica's thoughts on the game don't rank particularly high.

But thanks to a comment on a Detroit Lions Instagram post, we know where the legendary metal band stands heading into the NFC Championship game.

A Wednesday post on the Lions official Instagram feed invoked the lyrics of Metallica's "No Leaf Clover": "The soothing light at the end of your tunnel was just a freight train comin' your way," the caption reads, underneath a picture of Lions second year defensive end Aidan Hutchinson emerging from a smoke-filled background, mouth agape, looking ready for war.

OK, maybe it was a bit of baiting. But the official @Metallica account responded in the comments, "In Dan we trust," along with the hashtag, "#OnePride."

The band — or, let's face it, the band's social media team — acknowledging the post is one thing. But Metallica hails from California's Bay Area, which makes the 49ers their home team. Does this present a conflict of interest for the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers?

(Technically the band formed in Los Angeles in the early 1980s, but they've long called San Francisco their home.)

More:Metallica toasts latest chapter in 'long standing love affair with Detroit' at Ford Field

The love affair between Lions coach Dan Campbell and Metallica is well documented, and Campbell's former Texas A&M teammate and roommate Shane Lechler once nicknamed him "Dantallica."

Campbell made several references to his love of the band when the Lions were featured on HBO's "Hard Knocks" in 2022, and he referenced "No Leaf Clover" — a song from 1999's "S&M" album, recorded with the San Francisco Symphony — in the first episode of the series.

Metallica's James Hetfield returned the love with a shoutout in 2022. "Go Lions, kick butt!" Hetfield said on the video, posted on Metallica's social media, which was made around the time the band announced a pair of shows at Ford Field for Nov. 2023.

Hetfield joked at the time that he was going to petition the NFL to get the Lions a bye that week, so Campbell — who made a video welcoming the guys to town — could attend the concerts.

That never happened, and the Lions were out of town that weekend, facing the Los Angeles Chargers. But while at Ford Field, Hetfield took a picture outside Campbell's office, with the caption, "Wish you were here, Coach!"

Campbell espoused on his love of Metallica in November when speaking to reporters at Ford Field.

"They've just stood the test of time," he said. "They never get stale, they never get old, they just adapt, adjust, and just keep putting out hits and I love that. I respect that."

Meanwhile out West, Metallica has been a part of the 49ers' pre-game playlists this year, with "For Whom the Bell Tolls" making the rounds at Levi's Stadium, along with favorites from other locals, including E-40 and Green Day.

However Sunday turns out, Metallica and Dan Campbell's flames will continue to burn brightly. And should the Lions go on to win the Super Bowl, we fully expect Metallica to play the championship party.

agraham@detroitnews.com