The Detroit Lions and Thanksgiving football are more iconic than the turkey eaten and stories better told than of the pilgrims— a novelty older than cans of beer and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
In 1934, George A. Richards wanted more of the city’s attention on their new team. He scheduled their first Thanksgiving football game. The Chicago Bears came to visit. 26,000 fans were in attendance. 94 NBC radio stations broadcasted the game. The 11-0 Bears bested the 10-1 Lions in the first Thanksgiving Football.
Although Thanksgiving football existed since 1920 with the American Professional Football Association, Richard’s made it popular. The best teams in the League played each other in the Lions’ closest game all season, and the Bears made a second-half comeback. The Lions continued this tradition for the next 90 years (they did not play Thanksgiving games from 1939-44 for WW2).
A Deep History
1934 – First Lions Thanksgiving football game.
1935 – The Lions beat the Bears in a Thanksgiving re-match. The Lions then went on to win their first NFL Championship.
1939-44 – The Lions did not participate in Thanksgiving football. Other teams continued the tradition through 1940. The NFL took an official hiatus from Thanksgiving games due to depleted rosters. The Lions and the NFL sent many players and owners overseas, but perhaps that is a story for a different day.
1953 – Dumont Television Network broadcasted the first NFL Thanksgiving game on TV. The Lions beat the Packers and won their third NFL Championship.
1966 – Dallas Cowboys host their first Thanksgiving game, sparking their tradition.
1970-2005 – The tradition became steady. The Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Lions were the only teams to host an NFL game on Thanksgiving Day.
1989 – John Madden awarded Reggie White of the Philadelphia Eagles the Turkey Leg MVP Award.
2006 – A third NFL game was added to the lineup and is played on Thursday night.
By The Numbers
- The Lions are 37-45-2 on Thanksgiving day.
- Top Scoring
- Lions beat Bears 55-20 in 1997
- Dolphins beat St. Louis Cardinals 55-14 in 1977.
- 6 Passing Touchdowns – Most by a single QB in a single game.
- Bob Griese in 1977
- Peyton Manning in 2004
- Most Passing TDs (career)
- 18 – Matthew Stafford and Tony Romo
- 14 – Bobby Lane and Danny White
- Every season the Lions won the NFL Championship, they first won on Thanksgiving. (1935, 1952, 1953, 1957)
More Than Football
NFL Thanksgiving football comes with more than just football. As NFL organizations seek to engage and benefit their communities, the Lions and Cowboys have used their popularity with the holiday to their advantage.
Each year, the Lions players suit up to volunteer in a food drive. They have assisted with packaging and handing out turkeys and other Thanksgiving essentials. This year they aided in the packing of 5,000 meal kits.
The Cowboys use their Thanksgiving day game to kick off their Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. They begin the week before by serving those receiving assistance from the Salvation Army. The fundraiser has generated $2.7 billion for the Salvation Army. In addition, they place a Salvation Army Red Kettle behind the endzone, which is now used for touchdown celebrations.
This year, the Lions will host the Bears for the 20th time on Thanksgiving. The Bears lead the holiday series 11-8. The Lions return to the Thanksgiving game after seven consecutive holiday losses, but nine straight wins.
Can the Lions continue dominating the NFL and devour the Bears just before their turkey dinner?
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