It took a ruling from New York State’s highest court, and a critical renovation of the building, to make a dream come true.

Sunday’s game was a physical one, and the Lions, whose regular-season bye came in Week 5, lost two more key defensive players – Terrion Arnold (foot) and Pat O’Connor (calf) – to injury.

He and his wife, Abigail, were celebrated by conservatives for critiquing affirmative action in books including “America in ...