Detroit Lions Explained

Detroit Lions
Current:2024 Detroit Lions season
Wordmark:Detroit Lions wordmark.svg
Founded:[1]
First Season:1930
City:Ford Field
Detroit, Michigan
Misc:Headquartered in Allen Park, Michigan
Colors:Honolulu blue, silver, black, white[2] [3] [4]
Coach:Dan Campbell
Owner:Sheila Ford Hamp[5]
Chairman:Sheila Ford Hamp
President:Rod Wood
General Manager:Brad Holmes
Song:Gridiron Heroes
Mascot:Roary the Lion
Hist Yr:1934
Hist Misc:
Nfl Start Yr:1930
Division Hist:
No League Champs:4
No Conf Champs:4
No Div Champs:5
League Champs:
Conf Champs:
  • NFL National:
  • NFL Western:,,
Div Champs:
Playoff Appearances:
No Playoff Appearances:19
Stadium Years:
Team Owners:

The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit. The Lions compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) North Division. The team plays their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.

The franchise was founded in Portsmouth, Ohio as the Portsmouth Spartans and joined the NFL on July 12, 1930.[1] Amid financial struggles, the franchise was relocated to Detroit in 1934 and renamed the Lions in reference to the city's Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise, the Detroit Tigers.[6] [7]

The Lions won four NFL Championship Games between 1935 and 1957. Following the 1957 championship, the franchise did not win a playoff game until the 1991 season and did not win another until the 2023 season. They are the only franchise operational for the entirety of the Super Bowl era to not appear in the Super Bowl.[8] [9] [10]

Franchise history

See main article: History of the Detroit Lions.

See also: List of Detroit Lions seasons.

Logos and uniforms

Aside from a brief change to scarlet and black from 1948 to 1950 instituted by then head coach Bo McMillin, which was influenced by his years as coach at Indiana, the Lions' uniforms have basically remained the same since they moved to Detroit in 1934–silver helmets, silver pants, and either blue or white jerseys.[11] [12]

Glenn Presnell, the then last surviving member of the 1934 Lions, recalled that after the Portsmouth Spartans relocated to Detroit, team owner George A. Richards asked him and his wife to pick the Lions' colors from combinations that included red and white, orange and black, and blue and silver. The Presnells liked blue and silver the best, so Richards selected it. The blue used by the Lions is officially known as "Honolulu blue", which is inspired by the color of the waves off the coast of Hawaii.[12] [13]

There have been minor changes to the uniform design throughout the years, such as changing the silver stripe patterns on the jersey sleeves, and changing the colors of the jersey numbers. "TV numbers", which are auxiliary uniform numbers to help TV broadcasters identify players from the line of scrimmage, were added to the jersey sleeves in 1956.[12] White trim was added to the logo in 1970, with outlines (white on the blue jersey, silver on the white jersey) added to the numbers in 1972; the color arrangement on the numbers on the blue jerseys was reversed in 1982.[11] The silver facemasks became blue in 1984. In 1998, the team wore blue pants with their white jerseys along with grey socks but dropped that combination after the season.[11] [14] In 1999, the "TV numbers" on the sleeves were moved to the shoulders.[15]

In 1994, every NFL team wore throwback jerseys,[16] and the Lions' were similar to the jerseys wore during their 1935 championship season. The helmets and pants were solid silver, the jerseys Honolulu blue with silver numbers and the jersey did not have "TV numbers" on the sleeves. The team wore solid blue socks and black cleats. The helmets also did not have logos, as helmets were simple leather back then.[11] The Lions also wore 1950s-style jerseys during their traditional Thanksgiving Day games from 2001 to 2004 as the NFL encouraged teams to wear throwback jerseys on Thanksgiving Day.

In 2003, the team added black trim to their logo and jerseys. The facemasks on the helmet changed from blue to black with the introduction of the new color. In 2005, the team introduced an alternate, black, jersey.[11] [17]

For 2008, the team dropped the black jersey in favor of a throwback uniform to commemorate the franchise's 75th anniversary. The throwback uniform became the team's permanent alternate jersey in 2009, replacing the former black alternate.[18] The Lions officially unveiled a new logo and uniforms on April 20, 2009. The logo was given a flowing mane and fangs, while the typeface featured a modern font.[19]

On February 1, 2017, the Lions announced a new typeface, logo, and the complete removal of the color black from the team identity. While the previous logo was retained, the border was changed from black to silver.[20] [17] The Lions then unveiled the new uniforms on April 13, 2017, which included the white jersey and blue pants combo for the first time since 1998. They introduced an alternate all-grey uniform, an alternate all-Honolulu blue uniform, and a helmet with a silver face mask.[21] [22] The Lions also added the initials "WCF" to the left sleeve as a permanent tribute to William Clay Ford, who owned the team from 1963 until his death in 2014. The sleeve addition replaced the black "WCF" patch on the left breast that was added after Ford's death.[23]

On September 20, 2021, the Lions wore white pants with their road white uniforms against the Green Bay Packers. The white pants, which lacked striping, were previously worn during the "scarlet and black" era in the 1948 and 1949 seasons.[24]

On April 12, 2023, the Lions announced they would celebrate their 90th season in franchise history during the 2023 season with a commemorative logo and jersey patch. The inspiration for the patch is an homage to their logo from 1961 to 1969, which is also honored in the WCF memorial logo and the 60th commemorative season logo.[25] On June 21, 2023, the Lions unveiled an alternate blue helmet. The helmet, which features the 1960s logo, was paired with the grey uniform. This was the first time the Lions wore a blue helmet since 1955.[26] [27]

On April 18, 2024, the Lions unveiled a new jersey set. The home jersey, referred to as "One Pride", features a redefined Honolulu blue with white block numbers trimmed in silver and sleeves striped in silver with white accents. The home jersey will be paired with silver pants with Honolulu blue stripes with white accents or solid Honolulu blue pants. The road white jersey, referred to as "the 313", features Honolulu blue block numbers, stripes trimmed in silver, and a Honolulu blue "Detroit" wordmark on the front. The road jersey will be paired with solid Honolulu blue or solid white pants. The primary silver helmet with a Honolulu blue face mask and Honolulu blue stripes with white accents will be worn with the home and road jerseys. The black alternate jersey, referred to as "Motor City Muscle", features Honolulu blue numbers and stripes trimmed in silver along with a "Lions" wordmark on the front. It will be worn with the alternate Honolulu blue helmet featuring black stripes with silver accents and the leaping lion logo in black with silver accents. The black jersey will be paired with solid black or solid Honolulu blue pants.

The black jersey was a favorite of head coach Dan Campbell, who wore the original version during his playing days. According to Lions team president Rod Wood, it was Campbell who lobbied for the black jersey to return, which happened after the Lions won the NFC North division title in 2023.[28] The throwback jersey was retained and updated with the refreshed Honolulu blue. The throwback jersey will be retained with a silver helmet that will be worn with a silver or a Honolulu blue face mask. The William Clay Ford (WCF) memorial decal has been placed on the back of the primary and alternate helmets.[29]

Thanksgiving Day tradition

In 1934, then team owner George A. Richards, who also was the owner of a major radio affiliate of the NBC Blue Network, WJR in Detroit, the forerunner to today's ABC, negotiated an agreement with NBC to carry his Thanksgiving game live across all of the network's stations.[30] Excluding the years of 1939–1944, due to World War II, the Lions have played on Thanksgiving ever since.[31] [32]

Players of note

See main article: List of Detroit Lions players.

Retired numbers

Detroit Lions retired numbers
width=40px style=""No.width=150px style=""Playerwidth=100px style=""Positionwidth=100px style=""Tenurewidth=170px style=""Retired
7 1931–1932
1934–1938 		October 15, 1939[33] [34]
20 1967–1977 November 25, 2004[35]
1980–1984
1989–1998
22 1950–1958
37 1950–1955 December 11, 1955[36] [37]
56 Joe Schmidt 1 1953–1965
85 Chuck Hughes 2 1970–1971

Notes:

Special cases

Pro Football Hall of Fame members

See main article: List of Detroit Lions in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Pride of the Lions

See main article: Pride of the Lions.

75th Season All-Time Team

On November 9, 2008, the Lions honored the 75th Season All-Time Team during halftime against the Jacksonville Jaguars.[43] [44] The team was chosen via an online fan poll and selection committee.[43] Bold indicates those elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

75th Season All-Time Team
width=60px style=""No.width=170px style=""Playerwidth=100px style=""Positionwidth=100px style=""Tenure
6 1986–1993
60 1978–1982
20 Lem Barney 1967–1977
36 1988–1996
75 1985–1995
76 1960–1966
19, 24 Jack Christiansen 1951–1958
7, 12, 19 Dutch Clark 1931–1932
1934–1938
89 1960–1968
76 Lou Creekmur 1950–1959
25 1952–1959
44 1949–1952
78 1975–1985
54 1965–1974
53 1985–1997
75 1957–1967
23 1989–1994
4 Jason Hanson 1 1992–2012
71 Alex Karras 1958–1962
1964–1970
81 Dick "Night Train" Lane 1960–1965
28 Yale Lary 1952–1953
1956–1964
22 Bobby Layne 1950–1958
24, 44 Dick LeBeau 1959–1972
84 1991–2001
3 1980–1991
91 1992–2003
20 Barry Sanders 1989–1998
88 Charlie Sanders 1968–1977
30 1995–2006
56 Joe Schmidt 1953–1965
66 1953–1962
20 1980–1984
54 1988–1995
37 Doak Walker 1950–1955
55 1958–1972
30, 50 Alex Wojciechowicz 1938–1946

Note:

Lions All-Time Team

On September 29, 2019, the Lions honored their All-Time Team in celebration of the NFL's centennial during halftime against the Kansas City Chiefs. The team was chosen via fan voting, contributions from the Detroit Lions Legends Community, team executives, and select members of the media.[45] Bold indicates those elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Lions All-Time Team
width=60px style=""No.width=170px style=""Playerwidth=100px style=""Positionwidth=100px style=""Tenure
60 1978–1982
20 Lem Barney 1967–1977
36 1988–1996
75 1985–1995
76 1960–1966
19, 24 Jack Christiansen 1951–1958
7, 12, 19 Dutch Clark 1931–1932
1934–1938
89 1960–1968
76 Lou Creekmur 1950–1959
25 1952–1959
44 1949–1952
7, 20, 56 1931–1937
78 1975–1985
54 1965–1974
53 1985–1997
23 1989–1994
4 1992–2012
81 Calvin Johnson 2007–2015
71 Alex Karras 1958–1962
1964–1970
81 Dick "Night Train" Lane 1960–1965
28 Yale Lary 1952–1953
1956–1964
22 Bobby Layne 1950–1958
24, 44 Dick LeBeau 1959–1972
53 1965–1973
84 1991–2001
48 Don Muhlbach 1 2004–2020
33 1959–1965
91 1992–2003
20 Barry Sanders 1989–1998
88 Charlie Sanders 1968–1977
30 1995–2006
56 Joe Schmidt 1953–1965
66 1953–1962
20 1980–1984
54 1988–1995
9 Matthew Stafford 1 2009–2020
63 Dick Stanfel 1952–1955
37 Doak Walker 1950–1955
30, 50 Alex Wojciechowicz 1938–1946

Note:

Michigan Sports Hall of Fame

See main article: Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.

Staff

Head coaches

See main article: List of Detroit Lions head coaches. The Lions have had 30 head coaches throughout their franchise history. Their first head coach was Hal Griffen, who compiled a 5–6–3 (.464) overall record with the team of 1930. Wayne Fontes was the longest-tenured head coach in Lions history, serving from 1988 to 1996.[46] The current head coach of the Lions is Dan Campbell, who was hired on January 20, 2021.[47]

Offensive coordinators

Name Tenure
No offensive coordinator 1934–1966
1967–1972
No offensive coordinator 1973–1975
1976
1977
1978–1981
1982–1983
1984
1985–1988
Dave Levy 1991
1992–1993
Dave Levy 1994
1994–1996
1997–2000
2000
2001–2002
2003–2004
2005
2006–2007
2008
2009–2013
2014–2015
2015–2018
2019–2020
2021
2022–present

Defensive coordinators

Name Tenure
No defensive coordinator 1934–1951
1952–1959
No defensive coordinator 1960
1961–1962
No defensive coordinator 1963–1966
1967–1972
No defensive coordinator 1973–1976
1977
No defensive coordinator 1978–1979
1980–1982
1983–1984
1985–1988
1989–1992
1993
1994–1995
1996
1997–2000
2001
2002–2003
2004–2005
2006
2007–2008
2009–2013
2014–2017
2018–2019
2020
2021–present

Special Teams coordinators

Name Tenure
2019
2020
2021–present

Rivalries

Divisional

Chicago Bears

See main article: Bears–Lions rivalry. The Lions and Chicago Bears first met in 1930 when the Lions were known as the Portsmouth Spartans.[48] The Bears and Lions have been division rivals since 1933.[49] [50] As of the 2023 season, the Bears lead the series 105–78–5.[51]

Green Bay Packers

See main article: Lions–Packers rivalry. The Lions and Green Bay Packers first met in 1929 when the Lions were known as the Portsmouth Spartans.[6] The Lions and Packers have been division rivals since 1933.[49] [50] [52] As of the 2023 season, the Packers lead the series 106–76–7.[53]

Minnesota Vikings

See main article: Lions–Vikings rivalry. The Lions and Minnesota Vikings have played twice annually since the Vikings entered the NFL in 1961, excluding 1982 due to the strike that occurred that season.[54] [55] As of the 2023 season, the Vikings lead the all-time series 80–43–2.[56]

Former

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Lions and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were also division opponents in the NFL Central fron 1977 to 2001.[57] As of the 2023 season, the Lions lead the all-time series 33–29.[58]

Historic

Cleveland Browns

The Lions also share a rivalry with the Cleveland Browns, which began in the 1950s when the Browns and Lions played each other in four NFL Championship Games. The Lions won three of those championships, while the Browns won one. This was one of the NFL's best rivalries in the 1950s. Since the AFL–NFL merger of 1970, the teams have met much less frequently due to the Browns' move to the American Football Conference (AFC).[59] From 2002 to 2014, the two teams played an annual preseason game known as the "Great Lakes Classic".[60] As of the 2023 season, the Lions lead the all-time series 19–6, with three of those wins coming in postseason play.[61]

Rams franchise

The Lions have played the Rams more than any other non-divisional team with 88 total matchups over the years dating back to 1937. In the 2023–24 playoffs, the Rams and Lions met for their first postseason matchup since 1952. The Lions won 24–23 in Matthew Stafford's first game back in Detroit since being traded to the Rams.[62] As of the 2023 season, the Rams lead the all-time series 45–42–1.[63]

Radio and television

See main article: List of Detroit Lions broadcasters.

Radio

See main article: Detroit Lions Radio Network.

The Lions' flagship radio station is WXYT-FM.[64] Dan Miller does play-by-play, Lomas Brown does color commentary, and T. J. Lang is the sideline reporter.[65] [66]

In 2015, the team announced that they were moving from WXYT-FM to WJR for the 2016 NFL season, ending a 20-year relationship with CBS Radio.[67] The decision to part with WXYT was reportedly instigated by a demand by the team for the station to fire on-air personality Mike Valenti, who has had a history of making critical comments about the Lions during his drivetime show, as a condition of any future renewal. A CBS Radio spokesperson stated that their refusal was meant to maintain the station's integrity.[67] [68]

The Lions' flagship station returned to WXYT-FM starting with the 2021 season.[69]

TV

Preseason

See main article: Detroit Lions Television Network.

In 2015, WJBK took over from WXYZ-TV as the flagship station for Lions preseason games.[70] In 2024, the announcers are Jason Ross Jr. with play-by-play, Golden Tate with color commentary, and Dannie Rogers with sideline reports.[71] Games are produced by Bally Sports Detroit.[72] [73]

Regular season

Regular season games are broadcast regionally on Fox, except when the Lions play an AFC team in Detroit, in which case the game airs regionally on CBS; however, since 2014, with the institution of the NFL's "cross flex" broadcast rules, any Lions game slated to air on Fox can be moved to CBS.[74] [75] The Thanksgiving Day game in Detroit is always televised nationally, alternating between Fox in odd years and CBS in even years.[31] In 2011, the Lions became the last NFC team to play on NBC's Sunday Night Football since the network began airing Sunday night games in 2006.[76]

Blackouts

See main article: National Football League television blackout policies. The Lions' winless performance in 2008 and 2–14 season in 2009, coupled with the effects of the Great Recession in Michigan, led to several local broadcast blackouts, as local fans did not purchase enough tickets by the 72-hour blackout deadline. The first blackout in the then seven-year history of Ford Field was on October 26, 2008, against the Washington Redskins. The previous 50 regular season home games had been sellouts.[77] The second home game of the 2009 season in which the Lions broke the losing streak, also against the Redskins, was blacked out locally, as well as the comeback victory over the Cleveland Browns.[78] [79] [80] The Lions had only one blackout in 2010, yet another Redskins game, which the Lions won 37–25.[81] However, in 2015, the NFL suspended its blackout policies, meaning that all Lions games will be shown on local TV, regardless of tickets sold.[82]

Games were also often blacked out at the Lions' previous home, the 80,000-seat Pontiac Silverdome, despite winning seasons and the success and popularity of star players such as Barry Sanders.[83] [84]

Lions cheerleaders

See main article: Detroit Lions Cheerleaders. On June 13, 2016, the Lions announced the addition of cheerleaders to the organization.[85] The team also announced that Rebecca Girard-Smoker, formerly the director of the Detroit Pistons dance team, would be the coach of the cheerleading squad. It marked the first time in over 40 years the team had an official cheerleading squad. The cheerleading squad is a part of the entertainment during football games, and active at community events.[86]

See also

References

Notes

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Detroit Lions Team Facts . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190412222501/https://www.profootballhof.com/teams/detroit-lions/team-facts/ . April 12, 2019 . October 2, 2017 . ProFootballHOF.com . NFL Enterprises.
  2. News: Detroit Lions unveil new uniforms. NFL Enterprises, LLC. DetroitLions.com. April 18, 2024. April 23, 2024. April 23, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240423044921/https://www.detroitlions.com/news/detroit-lions-unveil-new-uniforms . live.
  3. News: Smith. Coral. New-look Lions: Reigning NFC North champions unveil fresh uniforms, including all-black alternates. NFL Enterprises, LLC. NFL.com. April 18, 2024. April 29, 2024. April 25, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240425191844/https://www.nfl.com/news/new-look-lions-reigning-nfc-north-champions-unveil-fresh-uniforms-including-all-back-alternates. live.
  4. Book: Detroit Lions Team Capsule. https://static.www.nfl.com/image/upload/league/apps/league-site/media-guides/2022/2022_NFL_Record_and_Fact_Book.pdf#page=171. 2022 Official National Football League Record and Fact Book. NFL Enterprises, LLC. July 20, 2022. July 8, 2024.
  5. News: Martha Firestone Ford to step down as principal owner of Detroit Lions. NFL Enterprises. DetroitLions.com. June 23, 2020. en-US. June 25, 2020. June 24, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200624163508/https://www.detroitlions.com/news/martha-firestone-ford-to-step-down-sheila-ford-hamp-to-succeed-mother. live.
  6. Web site: Barnett . C. Robert . 1980 . THE PORTSMOUTH SPARTANS . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200921101730/http://www.profootballresearchers.org/coffin-corner80s/02-10-044.pdf . September 21, 2020 . October 18, 2019 . Professional Football Researchers Association.
  7. Web site: Holmes . Dan . March 13, 2015 . How the Tigers, Lions, Red Wings, and Pistons got their names . February 3, 2022 . Vintage Detroit . https://web.archive.org/web/20220203142913/https://www.vintagedetroit.com/how-the-tigers-lions-red-wings-and-pistons-got-their-names/ . February 3, 2022.
  8. Web site: Dave. Caldwell. Meet The NFL Team That Might Never Make It To A Super Bowl. Forbes. February 1, 2019. October 18, 2019. October 19, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191019055139/https://www.forbes.com/sites/davecaldwell/2019/02/01/meet-the-nfl-team-that-might-never-make-it-to-a-super-bowl/#19ff45d37d51. live.
  9. Web site: Charlotte. Carroll. What Teams Have Never Won the Super Bowl?. SI.com. February 3, 2019. October 18, 2019. October 18, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191018165233/https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/02/03/what-teams-have-never-won-super-bowl. live.
  10. Web site: Daisy. Barringer. 21 Football Facts to Fake Your Super Bowl Street Cred. Eventbrite. January 2, 2019. January 10, 2019. August 31, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180831072102/https://www.eventbrite.com/rally/21-football-facts-for-your-super-bowl-party/. dead.
  11. Web site: TBT: Lions uniforms through the years . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191018205655/https://www.detroitlions.com/photos/tbt-lions-uniforms-through-the-years-18733536#e55b2720-c6d2-41b3-b0d5-e97fa29894d0 . October 18, 2019 . October 18, 2019 . DetroitLions.com . NFL Enterprises.
  12. Web site: Dow . Bill . April 22, 2009 . The Evolution of the Detroit Lions' Uniforms . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200627064004/https://www.vintagedetroit.com/blog/2009/04/22/the-evolution-of-the-detroit-lions%E2%80%99-uniform/ . June 27, 2020 . October 18, 2019 . Vintage Detroit.
  13. Web site: NFL Throwback . August 20, 2020 . How EVERY Team Got Their Colors! . live . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/OXcFE3zTreg . December 11, 2021 . May 10, 2021 . YouTube.
  14. Web site: Lukas . Paul . April 13, 2017 . The Detroit Lions' uniforms for 2017 will be evolution of the current look . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191018205638/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/19154129/the-detroit-lions-uniforms-2017-evolution-current-look . October 18, 2019 . October 18, 2019 . ESPN.com.
  15. Web site: Detroit Lions . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240204125424/https://www.gridiron-uniforms.com/GUD/controller/controller.php?action=teams&team_id=DET. February 4, 2024 . March 18, 2020 . The Gridiron Uniform Database.
  16. Web site: Phil . Hecken . November 5, 2022 . Looking Back at the NFL's 75th Anniversary Throwbacks . September 28, 2023 . Uni Watch . https://web.archive.org/web/20230812140302/https://uni-watch.com/2022/11/05/looking-back-at-the-nfls-75th-anniversary-throwbacks/. August 12, 2023. en-US.
  17. News: Birkett . Dave . February 1, 2017 . Detroit Lions tweak logo and font, will alter uniforms, too . Detroit Free Press . live . October 18, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191018205644/https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2017/02/01/detroit-lions-logo/97332380/ . October 18, 2019.
  18. News: Kowalski . Tom . February 9, 2009 . Tom Lewand: Lions' black uniforms discarded . . live . April 25, 2016 . https://archive.today/20090210110014/http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/02/lions_black_uniforms_have_been.html . February 10, 2009.
  19. News: April 20, 2009 . Lions Unveil New Comprehensive Brand; Team modifies team logo and uniforms and introduces new brand . DetroitLions.com . NFL Enterprises, LLC . dead . June 30, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091114080945/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/article-1/Lions-Unveil-New-Comprehensive-Brand-Team-modifies-team-logo-and-uniforms-and-introduces-new-brandi/968af55e-1f81-4bbd-9af3-fe4d1de6e0f4 . November 14, 2009.
  20. News: Detroit Lions statement regarding rebranding. NFL Enterprises. DetroitLions.com. February 1, 2017. August 14, 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180814103751/https://www.detroitlions.com/news/detroit-lions-statement-regarding-rebranding-18525342. August 14, 2018.
  21. News: Hanzus. Dan. Lions unveil new uniforms, bring back throwbacks. NFL Enterprises, LLC. NFL.com. April 13, 2017. July 14, 2020. July 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200714211313/https://www.nfl.com/news/lions-unveil-new-uniforms-bring-back-throwbacks-0ap3000000800029. live.
  22. Lions unveil new uniforms. NFL Enterprises, LLC. DetroitLions.com. April 13, 2017. August 14, 2018. August 14, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180814134749/https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-unveil-new-uniforms-18737536. live.
  23. Web site: Rapaport . Daniel . September 9, 2017 . Why do the Lions have "WCF"' on their jerseys? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180814103911/https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/09/09/detroit-lions-jersey-wcf-patch-uniform . August 14, 2018 . December 28, 2018 . SI.com.
  24. News: Breech . John . September 20, 2021 . Lions unveil special new uniform combination for 'Monday Night Football' showdown with Packers . CBS Sports . September 20, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210921205841/https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/lions-unveil-special-new-uniform-combination-for-monday-night-football-showdown-with-packers/ . September 21, 2021.
  25. News: Buczek . Joseph . April 12, 2023 . Detroit Lions celebrate 90th season with commemorative logo, jersey patch . CBS Detroit . https://web.archive.org/web/20230424094858/https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/detroit-lions-celebrate-90th-season-with-commemorative-logo-jersey-patch/ . April 24, 2023 . April 20, 2023.
  26. Web site: Nick. Shook. Lions unveil new alternate helmet for 2023 season. NFL.com. June 21, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230621233141/https://www.nfl.com/news/lions-unveil-new-alternate-helmet-for-2023-season. June 21, 2023. June 21, 2023.
  27. Web site: Justin. Rogers. Detroit Lions' alternate helmet a little something old, something new and something blue. The Detroit News. June 21, 2023. https://archive.today/20230622130208/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2023/06/21/detroit-lions-unveil-alternate-helmet/70322590007/. June 22, 2023. June 21, 2023.
  28. News: Kevin . Patra . April 19, 2024 . Dan Campbell pushed for Lions' black alternate jerseys to return . NFL.com . NFL Enterprises, LLC . April 23, 2024 . April 22, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240422064215/https://www.nfl.com/news/dan-campbell-pushed-for-lions-black-alternate-jerseys-to-return . live .
  29. News: DeJanay. Booth-Singleton. Detroit Lions unveil 2024 modern uniforms, including black alternate. CBS Detroit. April 18, 2024. April 23, 2024. April 19, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240419194723/https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/detroit-lions-unveil-new-2024-uniforms/. live.
  30. News: Jaworowski . Matt . November 24, 2016 . Timeline: How football became a Thanksgiving tradition . . live . November 24, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200926022038/https://www.wivb.com/news/timeline-how-football-became-a-thanksgiving-tradition/ . September 26, 2020.
  31. Web site: Beach . Jerry . November 22, 2018 . Why Do The Lions Always Play On Thanksgiving Day? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191020202500/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jerrybeach/2018/11/22/why-do-the-lions-always-play-on-thanksgiving-day/#6523ce996c69 . October 20, 2019 . October 23, 2019 . Forbes.
  32. Web site: Jim. Reineking. Why Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys always play on Thanksgiving: What to know about football tradition. USA Today. December 20, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20240208124710/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2023/12/20/nfl-thanksgiving-day-games-history-lions-cowboys/10716916002/. February 8, 2024. February 8, 2024.
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  41. Web site: VanOchten . Brian . April 4, 2009 . Lone survivor of boating accident that killed Lions' Corey Smith recounts tragedy for HBO Sports . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191019004014/https://www.mlive.com/lions/2009/08/lone_survivor_of_boating_accid.html . October 19, 2019 . October 18, 2019 . MLive.
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  85. Web site: Rothstein . Michael . June 13, 2016 . Lions become one of final teams to add cheerleaders . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160820090751/http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/16179000/detroit-lions-adding-cheerleaders-leaving-just-six-teams-them . August 20, 2016 . June 13, 2016 . ESPN.com.
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