Why the Detroit Lions Always Play on Thanksgiving

Chances are, you’ll have the Lions game on the tube on Thanksgiving Day. The Lions host the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. — with Jack White performing at halftime and CeCe Winans slated to sing the National Anthem.

Watching the Lions on Thanksgiving - a Tradition in Michigan and Beyond

In Michigan, watching the Lions on Thanksgiving is its own regional ritual — from Flint and Grand Rapids to smaller towns like Boyne City and Alma — but that tradition spills far beyond the state. Fans in places as far-flung as Boise, Peoria, Milwaukee, Salt Lake City, and Tampa tune in every year. Whether it’s a family gathering, a tailgate, or background noise to cooking and visiting, the Lions’ game fills a holiday slot few other events occupy.

Why is Watching the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving a Tradition?

A Turkey Day Lions game is a tradition that long predates even black and white TV. But how did it get started? The short answer is promotion and publicity.

When the Portsmouth Spartans relocated to Detroit in 1934 and became the Lions, owner George A. Richards — who also owned radio stations — scheduled a Thanksgiving game to drum up national interest.

That first Thanksgiving matchup (vs. the Bears) drew massive attention. Richards used his radio connections to broadcast the game widely — building a national audience for a franchise still finding its footing.

Thanks to Richards’ publicity push and the nationwide radio audience, Detroit’s Thanksgiving game became a national event. The Cowboys later copied the idea in the 1960s, giving the NFL two Thanksgiving mainstays — the Lions in Detroit and the Cowboys in Dallas — and the league eventually added a third primetime game as the holiday grew into a TV spectacle.

Detroit Lions’ Thanksgiving Record & Legacy

Thanksgiving Record & Legacy

The Lions have played on Thanksgiving almost every year since 1934 — only pausing during the World War II years (1939–1944).

Their all-time Thanksgiving Day record is 37–45–2, per recent stats.

Despite the mixed results, the game's value isn’t just about wins or losses. It’s about tradition, brand, and a reliably large national audience.

Sources: SI, Yahoo Sports, NBC Sports, NFL.com, Bleacher Report

The House That Groceries Built - Peek Inside the Kroger Mansion

This historic home in Cincinnati was originally built by Bernard H. Kroger for his daughter Gretchen in 1928.

Its unique architecture places it on the National Register of Historic Places.

Gallery Credit: George McIntyre

Check Out 21 Now-Defunct Stores We All Miss Going to in Michigan

With the holiday shopping season right around the corner, let's take a minute to remember all the stores that we used to go to that are no longer in business.