Why did the Detroit Lions owner decide to play on Thanksgiving Day every year?
The Thanksgiving game tradition began in Detriot back in 1934. The then team owner George A. Richards had purchased the Lions earlier that year, and he wanted to build a fanbase. So, he decided to host the back-to-back world champions, the Chicago Bears.
Has Detroit Lions ever won on Thanksgiving?
The Lions are 37-42-2 playing on Thanksgiving in franchise history….Lions record on Thanksgiving.
| Year | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Minnesota Vikings | W, 16-13 |
| 2017 | Minnesota Vikings | L, 30-23 |
| 2018 | Chicago Bears | L, 23-16 |
| 2019 | Chicago Bears | L, 24-20 |
When did the Lions first play on Thanksgiving?
1934
With the exception of a six-season gap from 1939 to 1944, the Thanksgiving Day game has been played with no interruptions. The Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day heritage gained national attention in another way, starting with the very first game in 1934.
How many times have the Bears and Lions played on Thanksgiving?
The Bears and Lions have met a total of 18 times on Thanksgiving, all in Detroit, with the Bears holding a 10–8 record in the Thanksgiving meetings.
Why do the Lions and Bears play on Thanksgiving?
The first owner of the Lions, George A. Richards, started the tradition of the Thanksgiving Day game as a gimmick to get people to go to Lions football games, and to continue a tradition begun by the city’s previous NFL teams.
Who won the most Thanksgiving Day football games?
the Detroit Lions
As for the records of both teams in their Thanksgiving home games, the Detroit Lions have accumulated 37 wins, 42 losses and two ties, while the Dallas Cowboys have 31 wins, 21 losses and one tie. This year’s games scheduled for Thursday, November 25 are as follows: Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions (12:30 ET on Fox).
How many times have the Detroit Lions won on Thanksgiving?
The Detroit Lions’ all-time record on Thanksgiving Day is 37-43-2.
Why do Cowboys and Lions play every Thanksgiving?
Aside from a World War 2 stoppage of play from 1939 to 1944, the Lions have played every year on Thanksgiving. They are 37-42-2 on Thanksgiving. The Cowboys joined them as a regular Thanksgiving host in 1966. Naturally, they did so because they wanted to build national publicity for the franchise.
What Native American tribe celebrated the first Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims?
To celebrate the first harvest at Plymouth, Governor William Bradford and the other settlers invited the Wampanoags for a celebratory feast in November 1621, now remembered as the first Thanksgiving.
Do the Lions play the Bears every Thanksgiving?
ESPN noted the team first hosted a holiday game when owner G.A. Richards scheduled a matchup with the Bears the year he moved the team from Portsmouth, Ohio. Aside from a World War 2 stoppage of play from 1939 to 1944, the Lions have played every year on Thanksgiving. They are 37-42-2 on Thanksgiving.
Do the Lions always play at home on Thanksgiving?
The NFL’s Thanksgiving Day games have traditionally included one game hosted by the Detroit Lions since 1934, and one game hosted by the Dallas Cowboys since 1966 (with two exceptions in 1975 and 1977). Since 2006, a third prime time game has also been played on Thanksgiving.
Why do the Detroit Lions always play on Thanksgiving Day?
It all started when the Detroit Lions were actually the Portsmouth Spartans — in 1929. In 1934, owner George Richards bought the team and moved it to Detroit. The Lions, at that time, were looking for new ways to draw fans. As a marketing idea, Richards convinced NBC to broadcast a Thanksgiving game on 94 stations across the country. It worked.
How many seats did the Lions sell out their first Thanksgiving game?
The Lions would end up selling out their first Thanksgiving Day game (26,000 seats), and even though they lost to the Bears, a new tradition was born. Sign up for the Laced Up Lions Newsletter!
What is the highest scoring game in NFL history on Thanksgiving?
1986 — The Lions and Packers played the highest-scoring game in Thanksgiving history to date, 44-40, with Green Bay taking the W. 2008 — The 10-1 Titans beat the 0-11 Lions 47-10, one of the biggest point differentials in Thanksgiving history.
Which NFL teams host Thanksgiving games every year?
Richards negotiated an agreement with NBC to broadcast his Thanksgiving games on 94 stations across the country. Since 1978, the Lions and Cowboys have hosted a game on Thanksgiving every year.