Thanksgiving. It is one of my favorite times of year. The leaves are changing colors, the nights are much crisper, and in my mind, it has always been the beginning of the holiday season. Best of all, Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the year, gather with family and friends, and, of course, enjoy a feast at dinner time!
However, if you are a football fan, especially a Detroit Lions fan, you know that NFL football is a big part of Turkey Day.
In my lifetime, the Lions have always played on Thanksgiving. During the lean years, of which there have been many in Motown, Leo fans started to wonder — just why do the Detroit Lions always play in this nationally televised game, especially when in some seasons they aren’t that great? I often asked that as well.
The story is an interesting one. In fact, you may say that if it weren’t for the Lions, Thanksgiving football games might never have become the annual tradition they are today.
The idea of Thanksgiving Day football in the NFL came to fruition back in 1934. Back then, Lions owner George A. Richards was looking for a way to boost attendance and draw some national attention for the Lions.
You see, Richards had just purchased the Portsmouth Spartans football club of Portsmouth, Ohio — for a whopping $15,000! Considering Forbes currently has the Lions valued at an estimated $5.4 billion, that was quite a profitable investment Richards made. Right after the deal was complete, Richards moved the team to Detroit, and thus, the Lions were born.
Richards was no average owner. He also owned one of the Midwest’s largest radio stations, WJR-760. With 50,000 watts of power behind the microphone, Richards came up with a plan. He wanted his Lions squad to play on Thanksgiving and have the game broadcast nationally, with the hope that holiday football games caught on.
They worked out a deal with NBC, who agreed to broadcast the game.
#DetroitPride is running high in 2025.
Although the NFL had doubts about fans showing up for a Thanksgiving Day game, they were pleasantly surprised when the Lions drew a sellout crowd of 26,000-plus. It was also a smashing success on the airwaves, with the live broadcast carried by over 90 radio stations nationwide.
The Lions lost that annual Thanksgiving Day game 19-16 vs. the Chicago Bears. However, despite the loss, a tradition was born.
Since that 1934 game, Detroit has played every year on Thanksgiving Day with the only exception being the years of 1939–1944 due to World War II.
This year’s matchup will be a big one for the Lions. Detroit will face off vs. Green Bay with first-place implications likely on the line.
The game will take place on Thursday, November 27, at 1 p.m. Eastern time, and it should be one for the memory books.
So, to all pigskin fans, have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Give thanks for everything you have, don’t overeat, make sure you save room for dessert, and go Lions!
