Episode 22
The Detroit Lions
Football Is Family is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear.
Detroit Lions
If there is a team in the history of the NFL that has been beaten down more than the Detroit Lions, I haven’t found them yet. The fan base of the Detroit Lions is one of the most dedicated and patient in all of sports- I give them all the credit in the world for being this way.
The Lions began play in 1928 as the Portsmouth Spartans of Portsmouth, OH. In 2020, the Lions began their 91st season in the NFL, making them one
of the oldest franchises in the NFL. In 1934, George Richards bought the team for $8,000 and moved them to Detroit, renaming in them the Lions. Also in
1934, the Lions started playing on Thanksgiving Day- a tradition that spans to
this day.
The Lions have won NFL championships in 1935, 1952, 1953, and 1957. They have also won their division 8 times, and have been to the playoffs 18 times.
In the 1950’s the Lions signed quarterback Bobby Lane, who helped them win 3 championships. In 1958 the Lions traded Lane, who, according to legend, cursed the team, saying they wouldn’t win a championship for 50 years. In 2008, the year the curse would end, the Lions went 0-16.
In 1963, the Ford family bought controlling interest in the Lions for 4.5 million dollars. Today, the Lions’ franchise is worth 2.1 billion dollars.
In 1989, the Lions drafted Barry Sanders 3rd overall. All he would do is rush for 15,269 yards, making him 3rd overall in total yards rushing.
The Lions have an overall regular season record (as of 2020) of 567 wins, 681 loses, and 33 ties, with a playoff record of 7 wins and 13 loses. They have 6 retired numbers and 14 members of their organization in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Interesting facts- 1) Marvin Gaye, a great singer in Motown, tried out for the Lions. 2) The Lions were the opponent in 1970 when Tom Dempsey, the kicker for the New Orleans Saints, kicked a 63 yard field goal, setting a record for the longest field goal in NFL history at that time. 3) Matt Millen is never talked about in polite company in Detroit.
Hope you enjoy this episode of the Football is Family podcast as we talk with Arnie Chapman, the Football History Dude himself. Please subscribe to this podcast, and, while you are at it, head over to the Sports History Network’s website at sportshistorynetwork.com and look at all the other great content we have to offer.
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Detroit_Lions
www.pro-football-reference.com
www.profootballhof.com
https://www.statista.com
