DETROIT — Joique Bell stopped for photos with fans as he approached Wayne State football stadium  Wednesday night an hour before the Detroit Lions practice.

“I’m grateful to be back, for me to play college ball here, be from Michigan, play for Wayne State and now I’m playing for the Detroit Lions and bringing the Detroit Lions back to Wayne State it’s a great feeling and this is a day I’ll never forget,’’ Bell said while being pelted with rain.

He said he had no intention to show off for the fans.

“I’m going to come out and do what I do every practice I’m going to bust my butt and get better,’’ Bell said.

He keeps in touch with his coach and the athletic director at Wayne State. Last season he was able to attend a home game that the Warriors pulled out for a win.

This is the first time the Lions practiced at Wayne State.

“It’ll be a great opportunity for our guys to perform and to mingle with the fans as well,’’ coach Jim Caldwell said. “Hopefully there will be a lot of fans who come who usually don’t have the opportunity to see our team play. So that’s part of it, coming out to the community giving our guys a chance to shake hands with a few folks.’’

Caldwell spoke to the fans prior to the practice along with running backs coach Curtis Modkins who introduced Bell to the fans.

“I promise you we're going to bring pride, dedication and commitment every single Sunday,’’ Bell told the fans.

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