The Detroit Lions have played football on Thanksgiving Day for nearly 90 years. This beloved tradition started not from league decree, but from a desperate marketing move. In 1934, a radio executive named George A. Richards orchestrated the first game to save his struggling new team.
He scheduled a matchup against the mighty Chicago Bears for the holiday. The game was broadcast nationwide, capturing America’s imagination and creating an unbreakable ritual.
From Obscurity to Holiday Mainstay
Before they were the Lions, the team was the Portsmouth Spartans of Ohio. Richards bought the franchise for just under $8,000 and moved it to Detroit. He renamed them the Lions to pair with the city’s baseball Tigers.
The team faced immediate obscurity in a crowded sports market. Richards needed a bold plan to attract fans. His solution was to play a marquee game on Thanksgiving Day.
He leveraged his own radio network to broadcast the event coast-to-coast. This unprecedented move put the Lions on the national map overnight.
The Landmark 1934 Game
On November 29, 1934, over 26,000 fans packed University of Detroit Stadium. They watched the undefeated Chicago Bears take on the new Lions. The game was an instant classic, ending with a 19-16 Bears victory.
Despite the loss, the event was a monumental success. According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the national radio broadcast was a first for the NFL. It introduced millions of families to professional football on a holiday.
The tradition was born from that single broadcast. It created a new way for Americans to celebrate Thanksgiving together.
An Enduring American Ritual
The Lions’ Thanksgiving game was suspended only during the World War II years from 1939 to 1944. It returned in 1945 and has continued uninterrupted ever since. The Dallas Cowboys joined the tradition in 1966, creating a holiday doubleheader.
The game’s endurance proves the power of Richards’ original idea. It provides consistent holiday entertainment regardless of the Lions’ win-loss record. Families across the country now plan their Thanksgiving around the Lions game.
This tradition has outlasted countless other sports initiatives. It remains one of the most watched NFL games each season.
The Detroit Lions Thanksgiving tradition began as a simple radio promotion. It has grown into a cornerstone of American holiday culture. This 1934 marketing gamble forever changed how we celebrate.
Info at your fingertips
Why do the Detroit Lions always play on Thanksgiving?
The tradition started in 1934 by team owner George A. Richards. He used the holiday game to promote his new Detroit franchise on national radio. The event was so popular it became an annual fixture.
Has Detroit ever missed a Thanksgiving game?
Yes, but only during World War II from 1939 to 1944. The team has played on Thanksgiving every year since returning in 1945. This makes it the longest-running NFL holiday tradition.
Who did the Lions play in their first Thanksgiving game?
They faced the undefeated Chicago Bears on November 29, 1934. The game was held at University of Detroit Stadium. The Bears won a close contest 19-16.
How did the first game change NFL broadcasting?
It was the first NFL game broadcast on a national radio network. This exposure helped popularize professional football across the country. It set a precedent for major holiday sports broadcasts.
When did the Cowboys join the Thanksgiving tradition?
The Dallas Cowboys began playing on Thanksgiving in 1966. Their addition created the modern doubleheader format. The two teams have defined Thanksgiving football for generations.
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