Why do the Detroit Lions play on Thanksgiving?

The NFL is filled with many traditions and rivalries and there’s a specific reason why the Detroit Lions have played on Thanksgiving for all these years.

Every year millions of Americans sit down to eat their turkey, mashed potatoes, and other traditional Thanksgiving foods with their loved ones. Another Thanksgiving tradition that many take part in annually is watching NFL games and seeing the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys playing annually. Yet, why do the Lions play on Thanksgiving and how did this annual holiday tradition begin?

The Lions have played annually on Thanksgiving since 1934. It was the first year the Lions were in Detroit since then-owner G.A Richards moved the club from Portsmouth, Ohio. The team’s best crowd that year was only 15,000 despite Detroit only losing one game before Thanksgiving. As a result of low attendance, Richards decided to have the team play on Thanksgiving in an effort to draw higher attendance.

Detroit’s first Thanksgiving game was a success in the stands. In their inaugural Thanksgiving game, the Lions faced the 1933 champions Chicago Bears with 26,000 fans jamming into the University of Detroit Stadium. Since then, the Lions have played on Thanksgiving annually except during World War 2.

The Lions playing football on Thanksgiving has become as much of a tradition as eating turkey, stuffing, and pie has for the American society. In recent years, many fans wanted the NFL to move the Lions off Thanksgiving day for a more attractive game. The league decided to stick with an NFL tradition instead of succumbing to public pressure.

This year the Lions prepare to face the Philadelphia Eagles. Detroit has been a part of many memorable Thanksgiving Days and Thursday’s matchup should be no different. A lot has changed in the NFL since 1934, but the Lions playing on Thanksgiving has become a tradition fans have cherished throughout the years.