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detroit_lions

Detroit Lions

Established

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)

Name Origin

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)

Original Colors

The Lions' original colors were blue and silver, which have remained the primary colors throughout their history.3)

Early Rivalry

Before moving to Detroit, the Portsmouth Spartans had an intense rivalry with the Green Bay Packers, which continued after they became the Lions.4)

Thanksgiving Tradition

The Lions have played a Thanksgiving Day game every year since 1934, except during WWII (1939–1944).5)

Thanksgiving Origin

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)

First Playoff

In 1935, just one year after relocating to Detroit, the Lions won their first NFL Championship, defeating the New York Giants.7)

Oldest Rival

The Lions' oldest rival in terms of continuous play is the Chicago Bears, a rivalry dating back to their Spartan days.8)

First Stadium

The Lions originally played in the University of Detroit Stadium before moving to Briggs Stadium (later Tiger Stadium) in 1938.9)

Championship Success

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)

Longest Playoff Drought

The Lions have one of the longest playoff-win droughts in the NFL, with their last playoff win occurring in 1991.11)

The Only 0-16 Season

In 2008, the Lions became the first team in NFL history to go 0-16 in a single season.12)

Matt Prater's Record Kick

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 Johnson's Record Season

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)

Barry Sanders’ 2,000-Yard Season

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 and the 1988 Draft

Rodney Peete became the first African-American quarterback drafted by the Lions when they selected him in the 6th round in 1988.17)

Single-Game Sack Record

In 1991, former Lions' defensive lineman Mike Cofer set a franchise record with 4.5 sacks in a single game.18)

Most Points in a Game

The Lions scored their most points in a game in 1997, defeating the Chicago Bears 55-20.19)

Most Wins in a Season

The Lions' best regular season was in 1953, when they went 10-2.20)

Barry Sanders

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)

Calvin Johnson

Known as “Megatron,” Johnson was a physical and athletic phenom, setting multiple receiving records before his early retirement in 2015.22)

Bobby Layne Curse

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

Doak Walker, a Hall of Fame halfback, played for the Lions in the 1950s and remains a beloved figure in Detroit football history.24)

Wayne Fontes

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)

Lem Barney

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)

Alex Karras

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)

Chris Spielman

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)

Matthew Stafford

Stafford became the Lions’ all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns and is known for his toughness and impressive arm strength.29)

Billy Sims

The 1978 Heisman Trophy winner was a dynamic running back for the Lions before a knee injury cut his career short.30)

Lions "Roar" Sound

The Lions play a roaring lion sound effect after each touchdown or big play at home games.31)

Roary the Mascot

The Lions' mascot, “Roary,” was introduced in 2009 and is a fan favorite at Ford Field.32)

Ford Field

The Lions have played at Ford Field, a domed stadium in downtown Detroit, since 2002.33)

The Pride

The Pride of Detroit is the Lions’ official fan club and one of the most dedicated fan bases, even during tough seasons.34)

Honolulu Blue

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)

Thanksgiving Halftime Shows

The Lions’ Thanksgiving Day games are known for elaborate halftime shows featuring popular musicians.36)

Detroit vs. Everybody

This phrase has become popular among Lions fans, symbolizing the underdog status of both the team and the city.37)

The Silver Rush

The Lions’ defensive line was nicknamed the “Silver Rush” in the 1970s and 1980s for its aggressive and effective pass-rushing.38)

Blue and Silver Helmets

The Lions have one of the most recognizable helmets in the league, featuring a blue lion on a silver background.39)

Fan Frustration

Due to long playoff droughts and challenges, Lions fans are often regarded as some of the most loyal and long-suffering in sports.40)

Hard Knocks Appearance

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)

Night Games

The Lions traditionally don’t play many night games; they are more commonly scheduled for early Sunday afternoon games.42)

International Game

The Lions have participated in the NFL’s International Series, playing a game in London in 2014.43)

Super Bowl Absence

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)

detroit_lions.txt · Last modified: 2024/11/08 03:20 by eziothekilla34