From 1934 to the Present: The Lions’ Development as an American Football Holiday Mainstay
Image: The Detroit Lions secured a 14-7 win against the Chicago Bears in their 1938 Thanksgiving Day matchup.
Image: Battle Creek Enquirer, November 26, 1938.
The Detroit Lions’ annual Thanksgiving Day game has been a cherished American football tradition since its inception in 1934.
Origin
In 1934, George A. Richards—owner of both the Detroit Lions and WJR radio—aimed to raise the profile and attendance of his recently relocated team. To achieve this, he organized a Thanksgiving Day showdown against the Chicago Bears, broadcast nationwide on NBC radio. The game drew a sellout crowd of 26,000 at the University of Detroit Stadium, laying the foundation for the Lions’ enduring Thanksgiving tradition.
The Portsmouth (Ohio) Spartans Football Club was founded in 1928 and later became the Detroit Lions. In 1930, they became members of the NFL. Image: Oct. 22, 1928, Portsmouth Times.
Tradition and Continuity
Since their inaugural Thanksgiving game, the Lions have taken the field every year on the holiday—except during a World War II hiatus from 1939 to 1944. Their enduring presence has cemented the Lions’ Thanksgiving matchup as a staple of the holiday’s sporting traditions.
Notable Games and Moments
From 1934 to the Present: The Lions’ Development as an American Football Holiday Mainstay :
Lions Silence Talkative Packers (2013)
The Lions dominated the Packers 40-10, fueled by Green Bay guard Josh Sitton’s incendiary pregame comments that fired up Detroit’s defense. Quarterback Matt Stafford passed for 300 yards and three touchdowns, including a third-quarter toss to Calvin Johnson, who finished with 101 receiving yards. Running backs Reggie Bush and Joique Bell combined for 310 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns. With Aaron Rodgers sidelined, Detroit’s defense—anchored by Ndamukong Suh—relentlessly pressured Matt Flynn, recording seven sacks and limiting the Packers to just 126 total yards. The decisive victory snapped a five-game skid against Green Bay and marked the Lions’ largest win over the Packers since 1973.
Barry Scorches the Bears (1997)
Barry Sanders delivered a spectacular performance with 167 rushing yards and three touchdowns as the Lions rolled past the Bears 55-20. After Chicago narrowed the deficit to seven in the third quarter, Sanders responded with touchdown runs of 25 and 15 yards to put the game out of reach and keep Detroit’s playoff aspirations alive. The standout showing was a signature moment in Sanders’ MVP season, during which he rushed for 2,053 yards and led the Lions to the playoffs.
Lions Win Track Meet vs. Vikings (1995)
Quarterback Scott Mitchell lit up the scoreboard with 410 passing yards and four touchdowns in a thrilling 44-38 win over the Vikings. Receivers Brett Perriman, Herman Moore, and Johnnie Morton each topped 100 receiving yards, combining for 382 yards and four scores. Barry Sanders contributed 138 rushing yards, highlighted by a 50-yard touchdown run. Though Vikings quarterback Warren Moon and his receivers posted impressive numbers, Detroit’s explosive offense prevailed—helping the Lions clinch a playoff spot after starting the season 2-5.
Lions Benefit from Coin-Flip Blunder (1998)
In an infamous overtime coin toss, Officials gave possession to Detroit after mishearing Steelers player Jerome Bettis during a notorious overtime coin toss. The Lions won 19–16 thanks to a 28-yard pass from Charlie Batch to Herman Moore that set up Jason Hanson’s game-winning field goal. Barry Sanders made his final holiday appearance prior to his unannounced retirement at this Thanksgiving game. With a 7-4 record going into the game, the Steelers lost that season.
Thanksgiving Day Massacre (1962)
The Lions trounced Green Bay 26-14 in a repeat of a close Packers victory earlier in the season. Bart Starr was intercepted by Dick LeBeau and “Night Train” Lane, two of Detroit’s Hall of Fame defenders, while quarterback Milt Plum threw two touchdown passes. Six of Detroit’s eleven sacks, including one for a safety, were earned by defensive tackle Roger Brown. The Packers suffered their sole defeat of the season in this game, which is affectionately known as the “Thanksgiving Day Massacre,” but they went on to win their second title under Lombardi.
After being sold in 1934, the Portsmouth Spartans moved to the Detroit market and adopted the new name Lions. Image: March 25, 1934, Sunday Times Signal.
Overall Performance
The Lions have played 84 Thanksgiving Day games as of 2023, with a 37-win, 45-loss, and 2-tie record.
Cultural Impact
The Lions’ Thanksgiving game, which represents the fusion of athletics and holiday customs, has become ingrained in American society. Watching the Lions play on Thanksgiving is as much a part of the celebration for many fans as the actual meal.
Sources:
- ClickOnDetroit.com, Detroit Lions all-time record in Thanksgiving Day game
- ESPN.com, NFL Thanksgiving Games: History, traditions and best moments
- Wikipedia, NFL on Thanksgiving Day
- ProFootballRecord.com, Lions Thanksgiving Game Tradition: History, Record, and Who They Play in 2023
- Time, Thanksgiving Football: Detroit Lions Game History
