Detroit’s Thanksgiving football game

Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day football game has become a staple of modern American culture. A day when all eyes are on Detroit. A tradition that brings families and friends together, both before and after stuffing their face with food.

It is for Detroiters and Michiganders alike, our annual Super Bowl.  More than just a sporting event; it’s a celebration of history, community, and the enduring spirit of Detroit… and awesome classic uniforms.

The First Lions Feast.

The Detroit Lions’ journey on Thanksgiving Day began in 1934. The move from Portsmouth, Ohio to Detroit was strategic (because no one wants to be in Ohio) but a challenging one.

The team struggled to establish a foothold in this city dominated by baseball – Go Tigers! George A. Richards, the team’s then-owner, envisioned the Thanksgiving game as a marketing tool to capture the attention of the city. He was part owner in what most Detroiter’s recognized as WJR. Being in Media, this type of promotion just made sense to Mr. Richards.

The first Detroit Lions Thanksgiving game was against the Chicago Bears, and was broadcast nationally in 1934. The Bears at that time were the defending “World” champions, so this was a big deal. We lost that first game, but the following year not only won – also against these same Bears – but the victory on Thanksgiving 1935 secured the West Championship, and then the Detroit Lions would go on to win the NFL title.

George Richards’ idea worked. Over the years, these Thanksgiving Day games quickly turned into must-watch events, drawing large crowds and even larger radio audiences. This period laid the foundation for the team’s enduring association with Thanksgiving, a tradition that would grow stronger with each passing year.

So if your family is complaining about you watching football on thanksgiving, just confuse them by blaming some guy named George… it is technically his fault.

Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Record

The Detroit Lions are 37-44-2 on Thanksgiving.

Although, it should be noted that there were no games in 1939 and 1940 for Detroit. President Roosevelt (FDR) thought it was a good idea to move Thanksgiving a week earlier. The President’s thinking was that it would stimulate the economy.

Yeah. No. (if only politicians knew that not every idea is a good idea)

Congress had to step in and fix that, moving Thanksgiving to the fourth Thursday of November.

It should also be noted, during World War 2 there were no games played on Thanksgiving for Detroit. With that being said Detroit can unofficially add four additional victories to its record, as Detroit was the reason we won WW2 for America. Therefore, I think it’s completely reasonable that the Detroit Lions can take credit for the Arsenal of Democracy.

Detroit Lions, unofficially: 41-44-2*

While we have high expectations for this years Detroit Lions on this coming Thanksgiving day game, we haven’t won since 2016.

Here’s our record:

• 1934 – 19-16 loss to Bears
• 1935 – 14-2 win over Bears
• 1936 – 13-7 win over Bears
• 1937 – 13-0 loss to Bears
• 1938 – 14-7 win over Bears
• 1945 – 28-21 loss to Cleveland Rams
• 1946 – 34-10 loss to Boston Yanks
• 1947 – 34-14 loss to Bears
• 1948 – 28-14 loss to Chicago Cardinals
• 1949 – 28-7 loss to Bears
• 1950 – 49-14 win over New York Yanks
• 1951 – 52-35 win over Packers
• 1952 – 48-24 win over Packers
• 1953 – 34-15 win over Packers
• 1954 – 28-24 win over Packers
• 1955 – 24-10 win over Packers
• 1956 – 24-20 loss to Packers
• 1957 – 18-6 win over Packers
• 1958 – 24-14 win over Packers
• 1959 – 24-17 loss to Packers
• 1960 – 23-10 win over Packers
• 1961 – 17-9 loss to Packers
• 1962 – 26-14 win over Packers
• 1963 – 13-13 tie with Packers
• 1964 – 27-24 loss to Bears
• 1965 – 24-24 tie with Colts
• 1966 – 41-14 loss to 49ers
• 1967 – 31-7 loss to Rams
• 1968 – 12-0 loss to Eagles
• 1969 – 27-0 loss to Vikings
• 1970 – 28-14 win over Raiders
• 1971 – 32-21 win over Chiefs
• 1972 – 37-20 win over Jets
• 1973 – 20-0 loss to Redskins
• 1974 – 31-27 loss to Broncos
• 1975 – 20-0 loss to Rams
• 1976 – 27-14 win over Bills
• 1977 – 31-14 loss to Bears
• 1978 – 17-14 win over Broncos
• 1979 – 20-0 win over Bears
• 1980 – 23-17 loss to Bears
• 1981 – 27-10 win over Chiefs
• 1982 – 13-6 loss to Giants
• 1983 – 45-3 win over Steelers
• 1984 – 31-28 win over Packers
• 1985 – 31-20 win over Jets
• 1986 – 44-40 loss to Packers
• 1987 – 27-20 loss to Chiefs
• 1988 – 23-0 loss to Vikings
• 1989 – 13-10 win over Browns
• 1990 – 40-27 win over Broncos
• 1991 – 16-6 win over Bears
• 1992 – 24-21 loss to Oilers
• 1993 – 10-6 loss to Bears
• 1994 – 35-21 win over Bills
• 1995 – 44-38 win over Vikings
• 1996 – 28-24 loss to Chiefs
• 1997 – 55-20 win over Bears
• 1998 – 19-16 win over Steelers
• 1999 – 21-17 win over Bears
• 2000 – 34-9 win over Patriots
• 2001 – 29-27 loss to Packers
• 2002 – 20-12 loss to Patriots
• 2003 – 22-14 win over Packers
• 2004 – 41-9 loss to Colts
• 2005 – 27-7 loss to Falcons
• 2006 – 27-10 loss to Dolphins
• 2007 – 37-26 loss to Packers
• 2008 – 47-10 loss to Titans
• 2009 – 34-12 loss to Packers
• 2010 – 45-24 loss to Patriots
• 2011 – 27-15 loss to Packers
• 2012 – 34-31 loss to Texans
• 2013 – 40-10 win over Packers
• 2014 – 34-17 win over Bears
• 2015 – 45-15 win over Eagles
• 2016 – 16-13 win over Vikings
• 2017 – 30-23 loss to Vikings
• 2018 – 23-16 loss to Bears
• 2019 – 24-20 loss to Bears
• 2020 – 41-25 loss to Texans
• 2021 – 16-14 loss to Bears
• 2022 – 28-25 loss to Buffalo Bills

Thanksgiving Legacy

After watching Bye, Bye Barry on Amazon Prime yesterday, I felt nostalgia. Time keeps on ticking. While our favorite players and artists are looking older than ever, our team this year is young and hungry. The Detroit Lions Thanksgiving game is alive and well. What better day to feast on the field than thanksgiving day in Detroit.

With the excitement of the teams success this 2023-2024 season this game is estimated to be one of the most watched thanksgiving day games in Detroit Lions history.

A perfect preparation game for our Super Bowl game this February.  And yes, I’m calling it now.

From its humble beginnings in 1934 to the present day, this tradition has become a cornerstone of the NFL and American culture. So as you gather around your televisions this Thanksgiving, just know you are not just watching a game; your are an active participant in a legacy that IS the Detroit Lions.

A Legacy that IS Detroit.

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