The Detroit Lions were founded in 1930 in Portsmouth, Ohio, as the Portsmouth Spartans. They moved to Detroit in 1934 and became the Lions.1)
The name “Lions” was chosen to complement Detroit's baseball team, the Tigers. The owner wanted the Lions to be “the king of the NFL, just as the lion is the king of the jungle.”2)
The Lions' original colors were blue and silver, which have remained the primary colors throughout their history.3)
Before moving to Detroit, the Portsmouth Spartans had an intense rivalry with the Green Bay Packers, which continued after they became the Lions.4)
The Lions have played a Thanksgiving Day game every year since 1934, except during WWII (1939–1944).5)
The Thanksgiving game was an idea by team owner George A. Richards to attract more fans, and it worked — the tradition has continued for nearly 90 years.6)
In 1935, just one year after relocating to Detroit, the Lions won their first NFL Championship, defeating the New York Giants.7)
The Lions' oldest rival in terms of continuous play is the Chicago Bears, a rivalry dating back to their Spartan days.8)
The Lions originally played in the University of Detroit Stadium before moving to Briggs Stadium (later Tiger Stadium) in 1938.9)
The Lions won three NFL Championships in the 1950s (1952, 1953, and 1957) and were considered one of the most dominant teams of that era.10)
The Lions have one of the longest playoff-win droughts in the NFL, with their last playoff win occurring in 1991.11)
In 2008, the Lions became the first team in NFL history to go 0-16 in a single season.12)
Former kicker Matt Prater set an NFL record with a 64-yard field goal in 2013 while playing for the Broncos. He later joined the Lions and became known for clutch kicking.13)
Calvin “Megatron” Johnson set an NFL record with 1,964 receiving yards in 2012, which remains the highest single-season total for any receiver.14)
In 1997, Barry Sanders became just the third player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season.15)
The Lions' logo, with the leaping lion, has been one of the most consistently used logos in the NFL, only seeing minor updates over the decades.16)
Rodney Peete became the first African-American quarterback drafted by the Lions when they selected him in the 6th round in 1988.17)
In 1991, former Lions' defensive lineman Mike Cofer set a franchise record with 4.5 sacks in a single game.18)
The Lions scored their most points in a game in 1997, defeating the Chicago Bears 55-20.19)
The Lions' best regular season was in 1953, when they went 10-2.20)
Widely regarded as one of the greatest running backs of all time, Sanders spent his entire career with the Lions and retired abruptly in 1999.21)
Known as “Megatron,” Johnson was a physical and athletic phenom, setting multiple receiving records before his early retirement in 2015.22)
After being traded in 1958, Hall of Fame QB Bobby Layne allegedly cursed the team, saying they wouldn't win another championship for 50 years. The curse is still a fan legend.23)
Doak Walker, a Hall of Fame halfback, played for the Lions in the 1950s and remains a beloved figure in Detroit football history.24)
As head coach, Wayne Fontes led the Lions to the NFC Championship game in 1991 and is still the franchise’s longest-tenured head coach.25)
Barney, a Hall of Fame cornerback, was known for his interceptions and return skills. He was also one of the first players to wear the now-retired No. 20.26)
Defensive tackle Alex Karras was a feared force on the Lions' defense in the 1960s and later became an actor, notably starring in the sitcom Webster.27)
A Lions legend, Spielman was one of the most intense linebackers of his era and has since become a fan favorite as an NFL broadcaster.28)
Stafford became the Lions’ all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns and is known for his toughness and impressive arm strength.29)
The 1978 Heisman Trophy winner was a dynamic running back for the Lions before a knee injury cut his career short.30)
The Lions play a roaring lion sound effect after each touchdown or big play at home games.31)
The Lions' mascot, “Roary,” was introduced in 2009 and is a fan favorite at Ford Field.32)
The Lions have played at Ford Field, a domed stadium in downtown Detroit, since 2002.33)
The Pride of Detroit is the Lions’ official fan club and one of the most dedicated fan bases, even during tough seasons.34)
The Lions’ unique shade of blue is called “Honolulu Blue,” a color chosen to stand out and to represent the waves of the Pacific Ocean.35)
The Lions’ Thanksgiving Day games are known for elaborate halftime shows featuring popular musicians.36)
This phrase has become popular among Lions fans, symbolizing the underdog status of both the team and the city.37)
The Lions’ defensive line was nicknamed the “Silver Rush” in the 1970s and 1980s for its aggressive and effective pass-rushing.38)
The Lions have one of the most recognizable helmets in the league, featuring a blue lion on a silver background.39)
Due to long playoff droughts and challenges, Lions fans are often regarded as some of the most loyal and long-suffering in sports.40)
The Lions were featured on the HBO series Hard Knocks for the first time in 2022, giving fans an inside look at their training camp.41)
The Lions traditionally don’t play many night games; they are more commonly scheduled for early Sunday afternoon games.42)
The Lions have participated in the NFL’s International Series, playing a game in London in 2014.43)
The Lions are one of only four NFL teams (alongside the Browns, Texans, and Jaguars) never to have appeared in a Super Bowl, despite the franchise's long history.44)