Here’s Why Lions Always Play Thanksgiving, Explained

If it seems like the Detroit Lions always play on Thanksgiving, well, that’s because they do.

The Lions’ annual tradition of playing on the American holiday, which began in 1934, is almost as old as the franchise itself. In fact, they’re the main reason soccer and Thanksgiving are synonymous, even if the Lions haven’t been as successful on the holidays as other franchises.

Here’s a short history lesson, plus a full list of past games and how to watch the 2021 version while filling your face with turkey and cake.

Why do Lions always play on Thanksgiving?

It all started on Thanksgiving in 1934, when owner George A. Richards decided to play over the holidays to attract more fans.

Richards was known for his marketing acumen and his Thanksgiving plan was an immediate success. The Lions at the time weren’t attracting a lot of people because the Detroit Tigers were the main sporting attraction in town. But on that Thanksgiving Day, the Lions not only sold out stadium tickets, they also had to turn people away at the gates.

The Lions lost to the Bears, but a new team tradition was born.

Other teams had played on Thanksgiving before 1934, but the Lions were different because Richards owned a radio station that was a major affiliate of the NBC Blue Network. Richards negotiated a deal with NBC to broadcast his Thanksgiving games on 94 stations across the country.

Since 1978, the Lions and Cowboys have hosted a Thanksgiving game every year. Detroit always plays the game early, followed by Dallas in the late afternoon and a rotating primetime showdown added in 2006.

Who do the Lions play on Thanksgiving 2021?

The Lions play the Bears on Thanksgiving in 2021. It’s the 17th time these franchises have gone head-to-head over the holidays, 34-30, with their most recent win by the Bears 24-20 in 2019.

What channel is the game Lions vs. Bears?

CBS will broadcast Lions vs. Bears this year. Kick-off is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET, the first game of the day, according to tradition.

Lions Record at Thanksgiving

The Lions are 37-42-2 playing Thanksgiving in franchise history.

Juegos notables:

1962 – Los Lions le dieron a los Green Bay Packers su única derrota esa temporada. Green Bay terminó 13-1 y ganó su segundo campeonato consecutivo de la NFL.

1980 – Los Lions y Bears empataron 17-17 al final del tiempo reglamentario. Fue el primer juego de Acción de Gracias en entrar en tiempo extra, y cuando el corredor de los Bears, Dave Williams, devolvió el saque inicial para un touchdown, también se convirtió en el tiempo extra más corto con 13 segundos, un récord de temporada regular que se mantiene hoy.

1986 – Los Leones y los Packers jugaron el partido con mayor puntuación en la historia del Día de Acción de Gracias hasta la fecha, 44-40, con Green Bay ganando la W.

2008 – Los Titans 10-1 vencieron a los Lions 0-11 47-10, una de las mayores diferencias de puntos en la historia de Acción de Gracias. Los Lions terminaron la temporada 0-16.