ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions made a wish come true for a fan battling cancer by inviting him to Ford Field for their Thanksgiving Day game.

The Detroit Free Press reported Chris Liwak, who is suffering from lung cancer and is in hospice care, was invited to the game by the Lions, where he sat in club seats and watched part of the game with Hall of Fame cornerback Lem Barney.

Afterward, he also spoke with Lions head coach Jim Caldwell.

“He’s a loyal fan that has always loved the Lions and everything about them,” Caldwell said. “So it was great to have an opportunity to talk with someone that was so dedicated and committed that one of the things that he thought was the most important things to do was get a chance to come and be involved in the game.

“So I think, when you’re looking at a guy that’s fighting for his life, in terms of what we do, it certainly does put things in perspective.”

Liwak saw the Lions beat the Eagles, 45-14.