The Detroit Thunder was a 2013 expansion team in the CIFL. The team was mostly competitive throughout the year, but finished with a 3-6 record. Through seven of the nine games, Mike Akwari quarterbacked the team, completing 80 of 153 passes for 725 yards, 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Reggie Eubanks led the team in receiving with 319 yards and 12 scores. The team returned for an ugly season in 2014, going 0-5 in games played and folding midway through. Quarterbacks combined for eight touchdown passes and sixteen passes caught by opponents. Averaging 17.4 points per game, the Thunder were blown out of their first four contests before losing 49-35 to Saginaw to end their season.