The Detroit Lions have a long-standing tradition of playing on Thanksgiving Day, dating back to 1934. Initially, the game was introduced by team owner George A. Richards as a way to attract fans and sell tickets. Today, the Lions’ annual Thanksgiving game has become a staple of the holiday, with the team kicking off the NFL’s Turkey Day slate in the early afternoon. Over the years, the event has evolved into a full spectacle, featuring performances like last year’s by rapper Jack Harlow, and this year’s performance by Shaboozey, known for “A Bar Song.” While the Lions are among the top teams in the NFL this season with a 10-1 record, they’ve struggled in Thanksgiving games recently, failing to win since 2016 and losing a close match to the Green Bay Packers last season. This year, they have a chance to break their Thanksgiving losing streak when they face the Chicago Bears, who are 4-7.
Lions’ Thanksgiving Record:
The Lions have played every Thanksgiving since 1934, except during the years of World War II (1939-1944). Their all-time record on Turkey Day stands at 37-45-2. A lengthy losing streak between 2004 and 2012, combined with their current stretch without a win since 2016, has negatively impacted their overall performance. In contrast, the Dallas Cowboys, who also host a Thanksgiving game each year, have a much stronger 32-23-1 record on the holiday. The Lions’ last victory came in 2016, when they defeated the Minnesota Vikings 16–13, with Matthew Stafford throwing a touchdown to Anquan Boldin and Matt Prater kicking a game-winning field goal as time expired.
Year-by-Year Results:
The Lions have played their home games every Thanksgiving, often facing NFC North rivals like the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, and Green Bay Packers. Between 1950 and the early 1960s, Detroit played the Packers annually. After a pause for World War II, the Lions resumed their Thanksgiving tradition. Notable in recent years, the Lions won four consecutive Thanksgiving games from 2013-2016, a streak the current team hopes to replicate.
Memorable Thanksgiving Moments:
One iconic moment in Lions Thanksgiving history came in 1998 when Jerome Bettis, a Detroit native, called the coin flip for his Pittsburgh Steelers in an overtime game. The referee misheard Bettis’s call, and despite the coin landing on tails, the Lions were awarded the ball first in overtime and won with a field goal. More recently, in 2012, during a game against the Houston Texans, Lions coach Jim Schwartz challenged a questionable touchdown by Justin Forsett. The challenge led to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, and the touchdown stood, with the Texans winning 34-31 in overtime.
Thanksgiving Traditions and Fan Engagement:
For Detroiters, the Lions’ Thanksgiving game is a cherished tradition. Fans arrive early to tailgate before the game and can often make it home in time for their Thanksgiving dinner. The Lions frequently wear throwback blue and silver uniforms, and in recent years, they have sported special “Color Rush” uniforms. The team’s uniform choice for this year’s game has not been officially announced, but it’s expected they will wear their classic throwbacks, which were last seen in 2023.
