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Detroit Lions

{{short description|National Football League franchise in Detroit, Michigan}}

{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}

{{Infobox NFL team

| name = Detroit Lions

| current = 2025 Detroit Lions season

| wordmark = Detroit Lions wordmark.svg

| logo = Detroit Lions logo.svg

| founded = {{start date and age|1930|07|12}}{{cite web |title=Detroit Lions Team Facts |url=http://www.profootballhof.com/teams/detroit-lions/team-facts/ |website=Pro Football Hall of Fame |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412222501/https://www.profootballhof.com/teams/detroit-lions/team-facts/ |archive-date=April 12, 2019 |url-status=live |access-date=October 2, 2017}}

| first_season = 1930

| stadium = Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

| headquartered = Meijer Performance Center, Allen Park, Michigan{{cite web|title=Detroit Lions expand and extend partnership with Meijer|url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/detroit-lions-expand-and-extend-partnership-with-meijer|website=Detroit Lions|date=July 23, 2024|access-date=April 25, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203092409/https://www.detroitlions.com/news/detroit-lions-expand-and-extend-partnership-with-meijer|archive-date=December 3, 2024|url-status=live}}

| uniform = 250px

| colors = Honolulu blue, silver, white, black{{cite web |title=Detroit Lions unveil new uniforms |url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/detroit-lions-unveil-new-uniforms |website=Detroit Lions |date=April 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423044921/https://www.detroitlions.com/news/detroit-lions-unveil-new-uniforms |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=April 23, 2024}}{{cite web |title=New-look Lions: Reigning NFC North champions unveil fresh uniforms, including all-black alternates |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/new-look-lions-reigning-nfc-north-champions-unveil-fresh-uniforms-including-all-back-alternates |website=National Football League |date=April 18, 2024 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |url-status=live |last=Smith |first=Coral |access-date=April 29, 2024}}{{cite book |chapter=Detroit Lions Team Capsule |chapter-url=https://static.www.nfl.com/image/upload/league/apps/league-site/media-guides/2022/2022_NFL_Record_and_Fact_Book.pdf#page=171 |title=2022 Official National Football League Record and Fact Book |url=https://static.www.nfl.com/image/upload/league/apps/league-site/media-guides/2022/2022_NFL_Record_and_Fact_Book.pdf |publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC |date=July 20, 2022 |access-date=July 8, 2024 |archive-date=November 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106030504/http://www.nfl.com/static/content/public/photo/2015/07/21/0ap3000000502939.pdf |url-status=live}}
{{color box|#0076B6}} {{color box|#B0B7BC}} {{color box|#FFFFFF}} {{color box|#000000}}

| coach = Dan Campbell

| owner = Sheila Ford Hamp{{cite web |title=Martha Firestone Ford to step down as principal owner of Detroit Lions |url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/martha-firestone-ford-to-step-down-sheila-ford-hamp-to-succeed-mother |website=Detroit Lions |date=June 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624163508/https://www.detroitlions.com/news/martha-firestone-ford-to-step-down-sheila-ford-hamp-to-succeed-mother |archive-date=June 24, 2020 |url-status=live |language=en-US |access-date=June 25, 2020}}

| chairman = Sheila Ford Hamp

| president = Rod Wood

| general manager = Brad Holmes

| song = Gridiron Heroes

| mascot = Roary the Lion

| website = {{URL|detroitlions.com}}

| hist_yr = 1934

| hist_misc =

| NFL_start_yr = 1930

| division_hist =

| no_league_champs = 4

| no_conf_champs = 4

| no_div_champs = 6

| league_champs =

| conf_champs =

| div_champs =

| playoff_appearances =

| no_playoff_appearances = 20

| 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 in 1928 and joined the NFL on July 12, 1930.{{cite web |title=THE PORTSMOUTH SPARTANS |url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/coffin-corner80s/02-10-044.pdf |website=Professional Football Researchers Association |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921101730/http://www.profootballresearchers.org/coffin-corner80s/02-10-044.pdf |archive-date=September 21, 2020 |url-status=live |last=Barnett |first=C. Robert |year=1980 |access-date=October 18, 2019}} 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.{{cite web |title=How the Tigers, Lions, Red Wings, and Pistons got their names |url=https://www.vintagedetroit.com/how-the-tigers-lions-red-wings-and-pistons-got-their-names/ |website=Vintage Detroit |date=March 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203142913/https://www.vintagedetroit.com/how-the-tigers-lions-red-wings-and-pistons-got-their-names/ |archive-date=February 3, 2022 |url-status=live |last=Holmes |first=Dan |access-date=February 3, 2022}}

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.{{cite magazine |title=What Teams Have Never Won the Super Bowl? |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/02/03/what-teams-have-never-won-super-bowl |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=February 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018165233/https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/02/03/what-teams-have-never-won-super-bowl |archive-date=October 18, 2019 |url-status=live |last=Carroll |first=Charlotte |access-date=October 18, 2019}}{{cite web |title=21 Football Facts to Fake Your Super Bowl Street Cred |url=https://www.eventbrite.com/rally/21-football-facts-for-your-super-bowl-party/ |website=Eventbrite |date=January 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831072102/https://www.eventbrite.com/rally/21-football-facts-for-your-super-bowl-party/ |archive-date=August 31, 2018 |url-status=dead |last=Barringer |first=Daisy |access-date=January 10, 2019}}

History

{{main|History of the Detroit Lions}}

{{see also|List of Detroit Lions seasons}}

Logos and uniforms

File:1986 Jeno's Pizza - 13 - Billy Sims.jpg (No. 20) rushing the ball against the Los Angeles Rams on September 7, 1980]]

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.{{cite web |title=TBT: Lions uniforms through the years |url=https://www.detroitlions.com/photos/tbt-lions-uniforms-through-the-years-18733536#e55b2720-c6d2-41b3-b0d5-e97fa29894d0 |website=Detroit Lions |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018205655/https://www.detroitlions.com/photos/tbt-lions-uniforms-through-the-years-18733536#e55b2720-c6d2-41b3-b0d5-e97fa29894d0 |archive-date=October 18, 2019 |url-status=live |access-date=October 18, 2019}}{{Cite web |last=Dow |first=Bill |date=April 22, 2009 |title=The Evolution of the Detroit Lions' Uniforms |url=https://www.vintagedetroit.com/blog/2009/04/22/the-evolution-of-the-detroit-lions%E2%80%99-uniform/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627064004/https://www.vintagedetroit.com/blog/2009/04/22/the-evolution-of-the-detroit-lions%E2%80%99-uniform/ |archive-date=June 27, 2020 |access-date=October 18, 2019 |website=Vintage Detroit}}

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.{{Cite web |last=NFL Throwback |date=August 20, 2020 |title=How EVERY Team Got Their Colors! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXcFE3zTreg&t=0h12m59s |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/OXcFE3zTreg |archive-date=December 11, 2021 |access-date=May 10, 2021 |website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

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. 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. 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.{{cite web |title=The Detroit Lions' uniforms for 2017 will be evolution of the current look |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/19154129/the-detroit-lions-uniforms-2017-evolution-current-look |publisher=ESPN |date=April 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018205638/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/19154129/the-detroit-lions-uniforms-2017-evolution-current-look |archive-date=October 18, 2019 |url-status=live |last=Lukas |first=Paul |access-date=October 18, 2019}} In 1999, the "TV numbers" on the sleeves were moved to the shoulders.{{cite web |title=Detroit Lions |url=https://www.gridiron-uniforms.com/GUD/controller/controller.php?action=teams&team_id=DET |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204125424/https://www.gridiron-uniforms.com/GUD/controller/controller.php?action=teams&team_id=DET |archive-date=February 4, 2024 |access-date=March 18, 2020 |website=The Gridiron Uniform Database}}

In 1994, every NFL team wore throwback jerseys,{{cite web |first=Phil |last=Hecken |date=November 5, 2022 |title=Looking Back at the NFL's 75th Anniversary Throwbacks |url=https://uni-watch.com/2022/11/05/looking-back-at-the-nfls-75th-anniversary-throwbacks/ |access-date=September 28, 2023 |website=Uni Watch |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812140302/https://uni-watch.com/2022/11/05/looking-back-at-the-nfls-75th-anniversary-throwbacks/ |archive-date=August 12, 2023 |language=en-US}} and the Lions' were similar to the jerseys worn 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. 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.{{multiref2

|1={{Cite web |date=November 22, 2001 |title=Little consolation: Lions rally, but still fall to 0–10 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=211122008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308143646/https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=211122008 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |access-date=October 18, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}

|2={{Cite web |date=November 28, 2002 |title=Lions give too charitably to Patriots |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=221128008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308132912/https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=221128008 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |access-date=October 18, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}

|3={{Cite web |date=November 27, 2003 |title=Packers' playoff hopes hurt |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=231127008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308131818/https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=231127008 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |access-date=October 18, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}

|4={{Cite web |date=November 25, 2004 |title=Manning throws 6 TDs in less than three quarters |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=241125008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002154302/https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=241125008 |archive-date=October 2, 2019 |access-date=October 18, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}

|5={{Cite magazine |last=Illuminati |first=Chris |date=November 23, 2016 |title=NFL Thanksgiving Throwback Jerseys |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-sports/nfls-worst-thanksgiving-tradition-throwback-jerseys-114326/ |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018205640/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-sports/nfls-worst-thanksgiving-tradition-throwback-jerseys-114326/ |archive-date=October 18, 2019 |access-date=October 18, 2019}}

}}

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.{{cite news |title=Detroit Lions tweak logo and font, will alter uniforms, too |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2017/02/01/detroit-lions-logo/97332380/ |date=February 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018205644/https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2017/02/01/detroit-lions-logo/97332380/ |archive-date=October 18, 2019 |url-status=live |work=Detroit Free Press |last1=Birkett |first1=Dave |access-date=October 18, 2019}}

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.{{Cite news |last=Kowalski |first=Tom |date=February 9, 2009 |title=Tom Lewand: Lions' black uniforms discarded |work=The Grand Rapids Press |url=http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/02/lions_black_uniforms_have_been.html |url-status=live |access-date=April 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20090210110014/http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/02/lions_black_uniforms_have_been.html |archive-date=February 10, 2009}} 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.{{cite news |title=Lions Unveil New Comprehensive Brand; Team modifies team logo and uniforms and introduces new brand |url=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 |date=April 20, 2009 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=November 14, 2009 |url-status=dead |work=Detroit Lions |access-date=June 30, 2019}}

File:Detroit lions unif17.png

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.{{cite web |title=Detroit Lions statement regarding rebranding |url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/detroit-lions-statement-regarding-rebranding-18525342 |website=Detroit Lions |date=February 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814103751/https://www.detroitlions.com/news/detroit-lions-statement-regarding-rebranding-18525342 |archive-date=August 14, 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=August 14, 2018}} 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.{{cite web |title=Lions unveil new uniforms, bring back throwbacks |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/lions-unveil-new-uniforms-bring-back-throwbacks-0ap3000000800029 |website=National Football League |date=April 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714211313/https://www.nfl.com/news/lions-unveil-new-uniforms-bring-back-throwbacks-0ap3000000800029 |archive-date=July 14, 2020 |url-status=live |last1=Hanzus |first1=Dan |access-date=July 14, 2020}}{{cite press release |title=Lions unveil new uniforms |url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-unveil-new-uniforms-18737536 |publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC |website=DetroitLions.com |date=April 13, 2017 |access-date=August 14, 2018 |archive-date=August 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814134749/https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-unveil-new-uniforms-18737536 |url-status=live}} 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.{{cite magazine |title=Why do the Lions have "WCF"' on their jerseys? |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/09/09/detroit-lions-jersey-wcf-patch-uniform |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=September 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814103911/https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/09/09/detroit-lions-jersey-wcf-patch-uniform |archive-date=August 14, 2018 |url-status=live |last1=Rapaport |first1=Daniel |access-date=December 28, 2018}}

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.{{cite news |title=Lions unveil special new uniform combination for 'Monday Night Football' showdown with Packers |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/lions-unveil-special-new-uniform-combination-for-monday-night-football-showdown-with-packers/ |date=September 20, 2021 |archive-url=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/ |archive-date=September 21, 2021 |url-status=live |work=CBS Sports |last1=Breech |first1=John |access-date=September 20, 2021}}

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.{{cite news |title=Detroit Lions celebrate 90th season with commemorative logo, jersey patch |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/detroit-lions-celebrate-90th-season-with-commemorative-logo-jersey-patch/ |date=April 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424094858/https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/detroit-lions-celebrate-90th-season-with-commemorative-logo-jersey-patch/ |archive-date=April 24, 2023 |url-status=live |work=CBS Detroit |last1=Buczek |first1=Joseph |access-date=April 20, 2023}} 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.{{cite web |title=Lions unveil new alternate helmet for 2023 season |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/lions-unveil-new-alternate-helmet-for-2023-season |website=National Football League |date=June 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621233141/https://www.nfl.com/news/lions-unveil-new-alternate-helmet-for-2023-season |archive-date=June 21, 2023 |url-status=live |last1=Shook |first1=Nick |access-date=June 21, 2023}}{{cite web |title=Detroit Lions' alternate helmet a little something old, something new and something blue |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2023/06/21/detroit-lions-unveil-alternate-helmet/70322590007/ |website=The Detroit News |date=June 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230622130208/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2023/06/21/detroit-lions-unveil-alternate-helmet/70322590007/ |archive-date=June 22, 2023 |url-status=live |last1=Rogers |first1=Justin |access-date=June 21, 2023}}

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 is 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 is 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 is 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 is 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 is 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.{{cite news |title=Dan Campbell pushed for Lions' black alternate jerseys to return |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/dan-campbell-pushed-for-lions-black-alternate-jerseys-to-return |date=April 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422064215/https://www.nfl.com/news/dan-campbell-pushed-for-lions-black-alternate-jerseys-to-return |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |url-status=live |work=National Football League |last1=Patra |first1=Kevin |access-date=April 23, 2024}} The throwback jersey was retained and updated with the refreshed Honolulu blue. The throwback jersey is paired with a silver helmet that is 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.{{cite news |title=Detroit Lions unveil 2024 modern uniforms, including black alternate |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/detroit-lions-unveil-new-2024-uniforms/ |date=April 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419194723/https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/detroit-lions-unveil-new-2024-uniforms/ |archive-date=April 19, 2024 |url-status=live |work=CBS Detroit |last1=Booth-Singleton |first1=DeJanay |access-date=April 23, 2024}}

Throughout the 2024 season, the silver pants were only worn once (a Week 2 defeat against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers), and the throwbacks were not worn at all. Instead, they mainly wore either the all-blue or all-white uniforms, with the Lions winning all of their regular season games in either combination.{{citation|title=Detroit Lions 2024 uniform combinations|url=https://www.gridiron-uniforms.com/GUD/controller/controller.php?action=teams-season&team_id=DET&year=2024|publisher=The Gridiron Uniforms Database|access-date=January 26, 2025}} The throwback uniforms were initially scheduled to wear in Week 18 against the Minnesota Vikings, but the Lions decided to wear their all-black alternate uniforms instead. Detroit went 2–1 in the all-black uniforms.{{cite news |title=Lions Tease Wearing Black Uniforms for Showdown With Vikings |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-tease-wearing-black-uniforms-for-vikings-week-eighteen |date=January 1, 2025 |work=Sports Illustrated |last1=Booher |first1=Christian |access-date=January 26, 2025}}

Thanksgiving Day tradition

File:DetroitLionsRunningPlay-2007.jpg, have played on Thanksgiving since 1934 with the exception of the years during World War II.]]

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.{{Cite news |last=Jaworowski |first=Matt |date=November 24, 2016 |title=Timeline: How football became a Thanksgiving tradition |publisher=WIVB-TV |url=https://www.wivb.com/news/timeline-how-football-became-a-thanksgiving-tradition/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926022038/https://www.wivb.com/news/timeline-how-football-became-a-thanksgiving-tradition/ |archive-date=September 26, 2020}} Excluding the years of 1939–1944, due to World War II, the Lions have played on Thanksgiving ever since.{{cite web |title=Why Do The Lions Always Play On Thanksgiving Day? |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jerrybeach/2018/11/22/why-do-the-lions-always-play-on-thanksgiving-day/#6523ce996c69 |website=Forbes |date=November 22, 2018 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=October 20, 2019 |url-status=live |last1=Beach |first1=Jerry |access-date=October 23, 2019}}{{cite web |title=Why Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys always play on Thanksgiving: What to know about football tradition |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2023/12/20/nfl-thanksgiving-day-games-history-lions-cowboys/10716916002/ |website=USA Today |date=December 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208124710/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2023/12/20/nfl-thanksgiving-day-games-history-lions-cowboys/10716916002/ |archive-date=February 8, 2024 |url-status=live |last1=Reineking |first1=Jim |access-date=February 8, 2024}}

Players of note

{{Main|List of Detroit Lions players}}

=Current roster=

{{Detroit Lions roster}}

File:Calvin Johnson (cropped).png]]

File:LaynewithLions.jpg]]

File:Barry Sanders 2019.jpg]]

File:CharlieSanders Detroit.jpg]]

File:Joe Schmidt (Pitt).jpg]]

File:Doak Walker practicing (8679147364) (2).jpg]]

=Retired numbers=

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"

| colspan="5" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|border=2}}"|Detroit Lions retired numbers

width=40px style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions}}"|No.

! width=150px style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions}}"|Player

! width=100px style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions}}"|Position

! width=100px style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions}}"|Tenure

! width=170px style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions}}"|Retired

7Dutch ClarkB1931–1932
1934–1938		October 15, 1939{{Cite book |last=Willis |first=Chris |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HpbhdBDgSiYC |title=Dutch Clark: The Life of an NFL Legend and the Birth of the Detroit Lions |publisher=The Scarecrow Press, Inc. |year=2012 |isbn=978-0810885202 |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=HpbhdBDgSiYC&dq=dutch+clark%27s+number+was+retired+on&pg=PA277 277] |access-date=January 20, 2020 |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423162347/https://books.google.com/books?id=HpbhdBDgSiYC |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Cleveland Rams at Detroit Lions – October 15th, 1939 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/193910150det.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021120629/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/193910150det.htm |archive-date=October 21, 2019 |url-status=live |access-date=January 20, 2020}}
rowspan=3| 20Lem BarneyCB1967–1977rowspan=3| November 25, 2004{{cite news |title=Lions have 20–20–20 vision |url=https://www.toledoblade.com/Pro/2004/11/26/Lions-have-20-20-20-vision.html |date=November 26, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019000052/https://www.toledoblade.com/Pro/2004/11/26/Lions-have-20-20-20-vision.html |archive-date=October 19, 2019 |url-status=live |work=Toledo Blade |last1=Hackenberg |first1=Dave |access-date=October 18, 2019}}
Billy SimsRB1980–1984
Barry SandersRB1989–1998
22Bobby LayneQB, K1950–1958
37Doak WalkerHB, K, P1950–1955December 11, 1955{{cite news |title=Lions Hold 'Day' For Walker Sunday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14988328/lions_to_hold_day_for_walker_sunday/ |date=December 7, 1955 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228140459/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14988328/lions_to_hold_day_for_walker_sunday/ |archive-date=December 28, 2019 |url-status=live |work=Detroit Free Press |last1=Berson |first1=Jake |page=7 |access-date=January 20, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |last=Northard |first=Lloyd |date=December 12, 1955 |title=Lions Honor Doak: Walker Hangs Up NFL Cleats, Scoring Title |page=4 |work=Brownwood (TX) Bulletin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14990062/walker_hangs_up_nfl_cleats_scoring/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228063015/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14990062/walker_hangs_up_nfl_cleats_scoring/ |archive-date=December 28, 2019 |via=Newspapers.com}}
56Joe Schmidt 1LB1953–1965
85Chuck Hughes 2WR1970–1971

Notes:

  • 1 The No. 56 was temporarily unretired with Schmidt's blessing when the Lions acquired linebacker Pat Swilling from the New Orleans Saints. No player has worn it since Swilling left.{{cite news |title=O'HARA: Top 4 jersey numbers in franchise history |url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/o-hara-top-4-jersey-numbers-in-franchise-history |date=July 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813001019/https://www.detroitlions.com/news/o-hara-top-4-jersey-numbers-in-franchise-history |archive-date=August 13, 2020 |url-status=live |work=Detroit Lions |last1=O'Hara |first1=Mike |access-date=July 14, 2020}}
  • 2 Posthumous. Hughes died of a heart attack during a game on October 24, 1971, and his No. 85 was withdrawn from circulation.{{multiref2

|1={{Cite web |date=October 25, 1971 |title=Detroit Lions Player Dies After Collapsing on Field |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/10/25/archives/detroit-lions-player-dies-after-collapsing-on-field-pro-player-dies.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421144207/https://www.nytimes.com/1971/10/25/archives/detroit-lions-player-dies-after-collapsing-on-field-pro-player-dies.html |archive-date=April 21, 2019 |access-date=October 18, 2019 |website=The New York Times}}

|2={{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Les |date=December 5, 2013 |title=Football Thursday: Legacy of Chuck Hughes goes deeper than being only NFL player to die on field during a game |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--legacy-of-chuck-hughes-goes-deeper-than-being-only-nfl-player-to-die-on-field-135805723.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421144209/https://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--legacy-of-chuck-hughes-goes-deeper-than-being-only-nfl-player-to-die-on-field-135805723.html |archive-date=April 21, 2019 |access-date=October 18, 2019 |website=Yahoo Sports}}

|3={{Cite web |last=Dow |first=Bill |date=October 24, 2011 |title=40 years ago Lions receiver Chuck Hughes died on Tiger Stadium gridiron |url=https://www.vintagedetroit.com/blog/2011/10/24/40-years-ago-lions-receiver-chuck-hughes-died-on-tiger-stadium-gridiron/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019104458/https://www.vintagedetroit.com/blog/2011/10/24/40-years-ago-lions-receiver-chuck-hughes-died-on-tiger-stadium-gridiron/ |archive-date=October 19, 2019 |access-date=October 19, 2019 |website=Vintage Detroit}}

}} Over the years, however, the number would return to circulation.{{cite web |title=All Players To Wear Number 85 For Detroit Lions |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/uniform.cgi?number=85&team=det |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108105334/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/uniform.cgi?number=85&team=det |archive-date=January 8, 2025 |url-status=live |access-date=October 18, 2019}}

Special cases

  • The Lions retired No. 93 for the 2009 season after Corey Smith disappeared, presumed dead, when a boat he was fishing in with friends capsized off the Florida coast.{{cite news |title=Detroit Lions to retire Smith's No. 93 for 2009 season |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4003668 |date=March 21, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805112635/http://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4003668 |archive-date=August 5, 2018 |url-status=live |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |access-date=March 21, 2009}} The Lions also wore 93 decals on their helmets that season.{{cite web |title=Lone survivor of boating accident that killed Lions' Corey Smith recounts tragedy for HBO Sports |url=https://www.mlive.com/lions/2009/08/lone_survivor_of_boating_accid.html |website=MLive |date=April 4, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019004014/https://www.mlive.com/lions/2009/08/lone_survivor_of_boating_accid.html |archive-date=October 19, 2019 |url-status=live |last1=VanOchten |first1=Brian |access-date=October 18, 2019}} The number was assigned to Kyle Vanden Bosch in 2010.{{cite web |title=Kyle Vanden Bosch Will Wear No. 93 |url=https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2010/3/5/1358617/kyle-vanden-bosch-will-wear-no-93 |website=Pride of Detroit |date=March 5, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019002605/https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2010/3/5/1358617/kyle-vanden-bosch-will-wear-no-93 |archive-date=October 19, 2019 |url-status=live |last1=Yuille |first1=Sean |access-date=October 18, 2019}}

=Pro Football Hall of Fame members=

{{Main|List of Detroit Lions in the Pro Football Hall of Fame}}

=Pride of the Lions=

{{Main|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.{{cite web |title=Lions unveil 75th Season All-Time team |url=https://www.mlive.com/lions/2008/10/lions_unveil_75th_season_allti.html |website=MLive |date=October 31, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020163256/https://www.mlive.com/lions/2008/10/lions_unveil_75th_season_allti.html |archive-date=October 20, 2019 |url-status=live |last1=Kowalski |first1=Tom |access-date=October 20, 2019}}{{cite web |title=Lions honor 75th anniversary team at halftime |url=https://www.mlive.com/lions/2008/11/lions_honor_75th_anniversary_t.html |website=MLive |date=November 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020163258/https://www.mlive.com/lions/2008/11/lions_honor_75th_anniversary_t.html |archive-date=October 20, 2019 |url-status=live |last1=Chaney |first1=Jeff |access-date=October 20, 2019}} The team was chosen via an online fan poll and selection committee. Bold indicates those elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"

| colspan="5" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|border=2}}"|75th Season All-Time Team

width=60px style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions}}"|No.

! width=170px style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions}}"|Player

! width=100px style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions}}"|Position

! width=100px style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions}}"|Tenure

6Jim ArnoldP1986–1993
60Al BakerDE1978–1982
20Lem BarneyCB1967–1977
36Bennie BladesDB1988–1996
75Lomas BrownT1985–1995
76Roger BrownDT1960–1966
19, 24Jack ChristiansenDB1951–1958
7, 12, 19Dutch ClarkQB1931–1932
1934–1938
89Gail CogdillWR1960–1968
76Lou CreekmurG/T1950–1959
25Jim DavidDB1952–1959
44Don DollDB1949–1952
78Doug EnglishDT1975–1985
54Ed FlanaganC1965–1974
53Kevin GloverC1985–1997
75John GordyOG1957–1967
23Mel GrayKR/PR1989–1994
4Jason Hanson 1K1992–2012
71Alex KarrasDT1958–1962
1964–1970
81Dick "Night Train" LaneCB1960–1965
28Yale LaryDB, P1952–1953
1956–1964
22Bobby LayneQB1950–1958
24, 44Dick LeBeauDB1959–1972
84Herman MooreWR1991–2001
3Eddie MurrayK1980–1991
91Robert PorcherDE1992–2003
20Barry SandersRB1989–1998
88Charlie SandersTE1968–1977
30Cory SchlesingerFB1995–2006
56Joe SchmidtLB1953–1965
66Harley SewellOG1953–1962
20Billy SimsRB1980–1984
54Chris SpielmanLB1988–1995
37Doak WalkerHB1950–1955
55Wayne WalkerLB1958–1972
30, 50Alex WojciechowiczC, LB1938–1946

Note:

  • 1 Hanson was active at the time of the selection.

=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.{{cite news |title=Lions honor 39 players as greatest in franchise history |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/09/29/lions-honor-39-players-as-greatest-in-franchise-history/3813583002/ |date=September 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020221136/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/09/29/lions-honor-39-players-as-greatest-in-franchise-history/3813583002/ |archive-date=October 20, 2019 |url-status=live |work=The Detroit News |last1=Bianchi |first1=Nolan |access-date=October 20, 2019}} Bold indicates those elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"

| colspan="5" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|border=2}}"|Lions All-Time Team

width=60px style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions}}"|No.

! width=170px style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions}}"|Player

! width=100px style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions}}"|Position

! width=100px style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions}}"|Tenure

60Al BakerDE1978–1982
20Lem BarneyCB1967–1977
36Bennie BladesDB1988–1996
75Lomas BrownT1985–1995
76Roger BrownDT1960–1966
19, 24Jack ChristiansenDB1951–1958
7, 12, 19Dutch ClarkQB1931–1932
1934–1938
89Gail CogdillWR1960–1968
76Lou CreekmurG/T1950–1959
25Jim DavidDB1952–1959
44Don DollDB1949–1952
7, 20, 56Ox EmersonG, C, LB1931–1937
78Doug EnglishDT1975–1985
54Ed FlanaganC1965–1974
53Kevin GloverC1985–1997
23Mel GrayKR/PR1989–1994
4Jason HansonK1992–2012
81Calvin JohnsonWR2007–2015
71Alex KarrasDT1958–1962
1964–1970
81Dick "Night Train" LaneCB1960–1965
28Yale LaryDB, P1952–1953
1956–1964
22Bobby LayneQB1950–1958
24, 44Dick LeBeauDB1959–1972
53Mike LucciLB1965–1973
84Herman MooreWR1991–2001
48Don Muhlbach 1LS2004–2020
33Nick PietrosanteFB1959–1965
91Robert PorcherDE1992–2003
20Barry SandersRB1989–1998
88Charlie SandersTE1968–1977
30Cory SchlesingerFB1995–2006
56Joe SchmidtLB1953–1965
66Harley SewellOG1953–1962
20Billy SimsRB1980–1984
54Chris SpielmanLB1988–1995
9Matthew Stafford 1QB2009–2020
63Dick StanfelOG1952–1955
37Doak WalkerHB1950–1955
30, 50Alex WojciechowiczC, LB1938–1946

Note:

  • 1 Stafford and Muhlbach were active at the time of the selection.

=Michigan Sports Hall of Fame=

{{Main|Michigan Sports Hall of Fame}}

Staff

=Current staff=

{{Detroit Lions staff}}

=Head coaches=

{{Main|List of Detroit Lions head coaches}}

File:Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell.jpg, the head coach of the Detroit Lions]]

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.{{cite web |title=Detroit Lions Head Coaches |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/coaches.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114233556/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/coaches.htm |archive-date=January 14, 2021 |url-status=live |access-date=January 21, 2021}} The current head coach of the Lions is Dan Campbell, who was hired on January 20, 2021.{{cite web |title=Lions agree to terms with Dan Campbell to become team's new head coach |url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-agree-to-terms-with-dan-campbell-to-become-team-s-new-head-coach |website=Detroit Lions |date=January 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227201222/https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-agree-to-terms-with-dan-campbell-to-become-team-s-new-head-coach |archive-date=February 27, 2021 |url-status=live |access-date=September 29, 2021}}

=Offensive coordinators=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|border=2}};"|Namestyle="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|border=2}};"|Tenure
No offensive coordinator1934–1966
Bill McPeak1967–1972
No offensive coordinator1973–1975
Ken Shipp1976
Ed Hughes1977
Bob Schnelker1978–1981
Ted Marchibroda1982–1983
Bill Nelsen1984
Bob Baker1985–1988
Dave Levy1991
Dan Henning1992–1993
Dave Levy1994
Tom Moore1994–1996
Sylvester Croom1997–2000
Gary Moeller2000
Maurice Carthon2001–2002
Sherman Lewis2003–2004
Ted Tollner2005
Mike Martz2006–2007
Jim Colletto2008
Scott Linehan2009–2013
Joe Lombardi2014–2015
Jim Bob Cooter2015–2018
Darrell Bevell2019–2020
Anthony Lynn2021
Ben Johnson2022–2024
John Morton

|2025–present

=Defensive coordinators=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|border=2}};"|Namestyle="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|border=2}};"|Tenure
No defensive coordinator1934–1951
Buster Ramsey1952–1959
No defensive coordinator1960
Don Shula1961–1962
No defensive coordinator1963–1966
Jim David1967–1972
No defensive coordinator1973–1976
Fritz Shurmur1977
No defensive coordinator1978–1979
Maxie Baughan1980–1982
Ed Beard1983–1984
Wayne Fontes1985–1988
Woody Widenhofer1989–1992
Hank Bullough1993
Herb Paterra1994–1995
Jim Eddy1996
Larry Peccatiello1997–2000
Vince Tobin2001
Kurt Schottenheimer2002–2003
Dick Jauron2004–2005
Donnie Henderson2006
Joe Barry2007–2008
Gunther Cunningham2009–2013
Teryl Austin2014–2017
Paul Pasqualoni2018–2019
Cory Undlin2020
Aaron Glenn2021–2024
Kelvin Sheppard

|2025–present

=Special teams coordinators=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|border=2}};"|Namestyle="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|border=2}};"|Tenure
John Bonamego2019
Brayden Coombs2020
Dave Fipp2021–present

Rivalries

=Divisional=

==Chicago Bears==

{{Main|Bears–Lions rivalry}}

The Lions and Chicago Bears first met in 1930 when the Lions were known as the Portsmouth Spartans.{{Cite web |last=Mayer |first=Larry |date=December 1, 2021 |title=Top 10: Longest series |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/photos/top-10-longest-series |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206110534/https://www.chicagobears.com/photos/top-10-longest-series |archive-date=December 6, 2021 |access-date=June 7, 2024 |website=Chicago Bears}} The Bears and Lions have been division rivals since 1933.{{cite web |title=1933 – The NFL Changes Several Rules to Serve its Needs and Style of Play |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/football-history/football-history/1869-1939/1933/ |website=Pro Football Hall of Fame |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417200407/https://www.profootballhof.com/football-history/football-history/1869-1939/1933/ |archive-date=April 17, 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=June 12, 2024}}{{cite web |title=1933 NFL League Standings |url=https://www.nfl.com/standings/division/1933/reg/ |website=National Football League |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516125716/https://www.nfl.com/standings/division/1933/reg/ |archive-date=May 16, 2020 |url-status=live |access-date=June 12, 2024}} As of the 2024 season, the Bears lead the series 105–80–5.{{cite web |title=All Matchups, Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=det&tm2=chi&yr=all |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241224062053/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=det&tm2=chi&yr=all |archive-date=December 24, 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=October 22, 2019}}

==Green Bay Packers==

{{Main|Lions–Packers rivalry}}

The Lions and Green Bay Packers first met in 1929 when the Lions were known as the Portsmouth Spartans.{{cite web |title=1929 Portsmouth Spartans |url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1929por.html |website=Pro Football Archives |access-date=December 3, 2024 |archive-date=June 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609213613/https://www.profootballarchives.com/1929por.html |url-status=live}} The Lions and Packers have been division rivals since 1933.{{cite web |title=NFL predictions: Historic matchups with 49ers-Rams & Lions-Packers |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/columns/berry-tramel/2019/10/10/lambeau-field-the-la-coliseum-are-throwback-venues-in-the-nfl/60429516007/ |website=The Tennessean |date=October 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319172905/https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/columns/berry-tramel/2019/10/10/lambeau-field-the-la-coliseum-are-throwback-venues-in-the-nfl/60429516007/ |archive-date=March 19, 2024 |url-status=live |last1=Tramel |first1=Berry |access-date=March 19, 2024}} As of the 2024 season, the Packers lead the series 106–78–7.{{cite web |title=All Matchups, Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=det&tm2=gnb&yr=all |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319062809/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=det&tm2=gnb&yr=all |archive-date=March 19, 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=October 22, 2019}}

==Minnesota Vikings==

{{Main|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.{{cite web |title=Game Preview: Vikings at Lions |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/game-preview-vikings-at-lions-week-7 |website=Minnesota Vikings |date=October 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023031443/https://www.vikings.com/news/game-preview-vikings-at-lions-week-7 |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |url-status=live |last1=Peters |first1=Craig |access-date=October 22, 2019}}{{cite web |title=Vikings Franchise Timeline |url=https://www.vikings.com/team/legends/timeline |website=Minnesota Vikings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816012724/https://www.vikings.com/team/legends/timeline |archive-date=August 16, 2019 |url-status=live |access-date=March 19, 2024}} As of the 2024 season, the Vikings lead the all-time series 80–45–2.{{cite web |title=All Matchups, Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=det&tm2=min&yr=all |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108104905/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=det&tm2=min&yr=all|archive-date=January 8, 2025 |url-status=live |access-date=October 22, 2019}}

=Former=

==Tampa Bay Buccaneers==

The Lions and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were also division opponents in the NFC Central from 1977 to 2001.{{cite web |title=Series History: Bucs-Lions |url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/series-history-bucs-lions-14490348 |website=Tampa Bay Buccaneers |date=December 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023031451/https://www.buccaneers.com/news/series-history-bucs-lions-14490348 |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |url-status=live |last1=Smith |first1=Scott |access-date=October 22, 2019}} As of the 2024 season, the Lions lead the all-time series 33–30.{{cite web |title=All Matchups, Detroit Lions vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=det&tm2=tam&yr=all |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916111407/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=det&tm2=cle&yr=all |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=August 4, 2024}}

=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.{{multiref2

|1={{Cite web |last=Shuck |first=Barry |date=November 19, 2021 |title=Origins of the "Great Lakes Classic" between the Browns and Lions |url=https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2021/11/19/22731360/origins-of-the-great-lakes-classic-between-the-browns-and-lions |access-date=June 2, 2022 |website=Dawgs By Nature |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119095851/https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2021/11/19/22731360/origins-of-the-great-lakes-classic-between-the-browns-and-lions |archive-date=November 19, 2021}}

|2={{Cite web |last=Buttar |first=Simmi |title=Browns and Lions stood tall in 1950s |url=https://www.paducahsun.com/sports/general/browns-and-lions-stood-tall-in-1950s/article_7ce6e480-b041-59ff-9cb2-4f6772aa7b2d.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127114248/https://www.paducahsun.com/sports/general/browns-and-lions-stood-tall-in-1950s/article_7ce6e480-b041-59ff-9cb2-4f6772aa7b2d.html |archive-date=November 27, 2022 |access-date=June 2, 2022 |website=The Paducah Sun |agency=Associated Press |date=October 17, 2019 |language=en}}

|3={{Cite web |last=Payton |first=Mike |date=November 18, 2021 |title=The history of Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns |url=https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2021/11/18/22788527/detroit-lions-cleveland-browns-history-rivalry-games-record |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118123605/https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2021/11/18/22788527/detroit-lions-cleveland-browns-history-rivalry-games-record |archive-date=November 18, 2021 |access-date=June 2, 2022 |website=Pride of Detroit |language=en}}

|4={{Cite web |title=A look at the NFL in the fabulous 1950s |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2019/10/11/a-look-at-the-nfl-in-the-fabulous-1950s/40301077/ |date=October 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602172446/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2019/10/11/a-look-at-the-nfl-in-the-fabulous-1950s/40301077/ |archive-date=June 2, 2022 |access-date=June 2, 2022 |website=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |language=en-US}}

}} 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).{{cite web |title=Week 2 – Lions-Browns Rivalry |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/news/week-2-lions-browns-rivalry/ |website=Pro Football Hall of Fame |date=January 1, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417195407/https://www.profootballhof.com/news/week-2-lions-browns-rivalry/ |archive-date=April 17, 2019 |url-status=live |access-date=October 22, 2019}} From 2002 to 2014, the two teams played an annual preseason game known as the "Great Lakes Classic".{{cite news |url=http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2009/11/22/sports/mj1925578.txt |title=Great Lakes Classic has lacked luster since its beginning |date=November 22, 2009 |access-date=March 21, 2009 |last=Schudel |first=Jeff |website=The Morning Journal |archive-date=September 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903214811/http://www.morningjournal.com/general-news/20091122/great-lakes-classic-has-lacked-luster-since-its-beginning |url-status=live}} As of the 2024 season, the Lions lead the all-time series 19–6, with three of those wins coming in postseason play.{{cite web |title=All Matchups, Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=det&tm2=cle&yr=all |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916111407/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=det&tm2=cle&yr=all |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=August 4, 2024}}

==Los Angeles Rams==

The Lions have played the Rams more than any other non-divisional team with 89 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.{{cite web |title=Column: Matthew Stafford loses the battle but wins the war in his duel with Jared Goff |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/story/2024-01-15/matthew-stafford-lost-battle-won-war-jared-goff-duel-rams-lions |website=Los Angeles Times |date=January 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804183417/https://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/story/2024-01-15/matthew-stafford-lost-battle-won-war-jared-goff-duel-rams-lions |archive-date=August 4, 2024 |url-status=live |last1=Plaschke |first1=Bill |access-date=August 4, 2024}} As of the 2024 season, the Rams lead the all-time series 45–43–1.{{cite web |title=All Matchups, Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland/St. Louis/LA Rams |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=det&tm2=ram&yr=all |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916112039/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=det&tm2=ram&yr=all |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=August 4, 2024}}

Radio and television

{{Main|List of Detroit Lions broadcasters}}

File:Detroit Lions radio affiliates.png

=Radio=

{{Main|Detroit Lions Radio Network}}

The Lions' flagship radio station is WXYT-FM.{{cite web |title=Lions Radio Affiliates |url=https://www.detroitlions.com/schedule/radio-affiliates |website=Detroit Lions |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814223431/https://www.detroitlions.com/schedule/radio-affiliates |archive-date=August 14, 2021 |url-status=dead |access-date=June 30, 2019}} Dan Miller does play-by-play, Lomas Brown does color commentary, and T. J. Lang is the sideline reporter.{{Cite web |date=July 10, 2018 |title=WJR replaces Jim Brandstatter on Lions radio broadcasts with Lomas Brown |url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180710/news/665686/wjr-replaces-jim-brandstatter-on-lions-radio-broadcasts-with-lomas |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023152411/https://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180710/news/665686/wjr-replaces-jim-brandstatter-on-lions-radio-broadcasts-with-lomas |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |access-date=October 23, 2019 |website=Crain's Detroit Business}}{{cite web |title=Former Detroit Lions OL T.J. Lang joins radio broadcast team as sideline reporter |url=https://www.mlive.com/lions/2021/08/former-detroit-lions-ol-tj-lang-joins-radio-broadcast-team-as-sideline-reporter.html |website=MLive |date=August 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814224748/https://www.mlive.com/lions/2021/08/former-detroit-lions-ol-tj-lang-joins-radio-broadcast-team-as-sideline-reporter.html |archive-date=August 14, 2021 |url-status=live |last1=Meinke |first1=Kyle |access-date=August 14, 2021}}

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.{{cite web |title=Want to listen to the Lions in 2016? Tune in to WJR-AM |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/11/19/detroit-lions-radio-broadcasts/76086598/ |website=Detroit Free Press |date=November 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121090627/http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/11/19/detroit-lions-radio-broadcasts/76086598/ |archive-date=November 21, 2015 |url-status=live |last1=Birkett |first1=Dave |access-date=November 20, 2015}} 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.{{cite news |title=CBS Detroit: Lions censorship demands caused split |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/11/20/detroit-lions-radio-change/76103168/ |date=November 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121085132/http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/11/20/detroit-lions-radio-change/76103168/ |archive-date=November 21, 2015 |url-status=live |work=The Detroit News |last1=Paul |first1=Tony |access-date=November 20, 2015}}

The Lions' flagship station returned to WXYT-FM starting with the 2021 season.{{cite web |title=Detroit Lions changing radio homes in 2021, back to 97.1 The Ticket |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/12/18/detroit-lions-radio-flagship-97-1-the-ticket/3954327001/ |website=Detroit Free Press |date=December 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218132025/https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/12/18/detroit-lions-radio-flagship-97-1-the-ticket/3954327001/ |archive-date=December 18, 2020 |url-status=live |last1=Birkett |first1=Dave |access-date=December 18, 2020}}

=TV=

==Preseason==

{{Main|Detroit Lions Television Network}}

In 2015, WJBK took over from WXYZ-TV as the flagship station for Lions preseason games.{{cite web |title=Notes: Lions preseason games moving to Fox 2 |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/05/08/detroit-lions-preseason-tv/27014447/ |website=Detroit Free Press |date=May 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023152408/https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/05/08/detroit-lions-preseason-tv/27014447/ |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |url-status=live |last1=Birkett |first1=Dave |last2=Monarrez |first2=Carlos |access-date=October 23, 2019}} In 2024, the announcers were Jason Ross Jr. with play-by-play, Golden Tate with color commentary, and Dannie Rogers with sideline reports.{{cite web |title=Detroit Lions preseason TV broadcast team adds Golden Tate as analyst |url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/detroit-lions-preseason-tv-broadcast-team-adds-golden-tate-as-analyst |website=Detroit Lions |date=August 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240801151543/https://www.detroitlions.com/news/detroit-lions-preseason-tv-broadcast-team-adds-golden-tate-as-analyst |archive-date=August 1, 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=August 1, 2024}} Games are produced by FanDuel Sports Network Detroit.{{Cite web |date=May 21, 2015 |title=FOX Sports Detroit, FOX2 become Lions' official TV partners |url=https://www.foxsports.com/detroit/story/fox-sports-detroit-fox2-become-lions-official-tv-partners-052115 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525051835/http://www.foxsports.com/detroit/story/fox-sports-detroit-fox2-become-lions-official-tv-partners-052115 |archive-date=May 25, 2015 |access-date=May 21, 2015 |website=Fox Sports}}{{cite web |title=Do not adjust your television set: Fox Sports Detroit to change name ahead of Opening Day |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/2021/03/17/fox-sports-detroit-bally-sports-app-detroit-tigers-red-wings-pistons/4740186001/ |website=Detroit Free Press |date=March 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814225904/https://www.freep.com/story/sports/2021/03/17/fox-sports-detroit-bally-sports-app-detroit-tigers-red-wings-pistons/4740186001/ |archive-date=August 14, 2021 |url-status=live |last1=Davis |first1=Tyler J. |access-date=August 14, 2021}}{{cite web |first=Ansar |last=Khan |title=Bally being rebranded as FanDuel Sports Network |url=https://www.mlive.com/redwings/2024/10/bally-being-rebranded-as-fanduel-sports-network.html |website=MLive |date=October 18, 2024 |access-date=December 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208093302/https://www.mlive.com/redwings/2024/10/bally-being-rebranded-as-fanduel-sports-network.html |archive-date=December 8, 2024 |url-status=live}}

==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.{{cite web |title=Why People in Mississippi Have to Watch the Giants |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/19/sports/football/why-people-in-mississippi-have-to-watch-the-giants.html?smid=tw-nytsports&smtyp=cur |website=The New York Times |date=November 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309052148/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/19/sports/football/why-people-in-mississippi-have-to-watch-the-giants.html?smid=tw-nytsports&smtyp=cur |archive-date=March 9, 2021 |url-status=live |last1=Draper |first1=Kevin |access-date=October 23, 2019}}{{cite web |title=2014 NFL Schedule: Flex games can now start in Week 5 |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/2014-nfl-schedule-flex-games-can-now-start-in-week-5-0ap2000000343369 |website=National Football League |date=April 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607021500/https://www.nfl.com/news/2014-nfl-schedule-flex-games-can-now-start-in-week-5-0ap2000000343369 |archive-date=June 7, 2020 |url-status=live |last1=Rosenthal |first1=Gregg |access-date=October 23, 2019}} The Thanksgiving Day game in Detroit is always televised nationally, alternating between Fox in odd years and CBS in even years. 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.{{cite web |title=Lions-Saints on NBC Week 13 |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/11/21/lions-saints-on-nbc-week-13/ |website=Pro Football Talk |date=November 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501202342/https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/11/21/lions-saints-on-nbc-week-13/ |archive-date=May 1, 2019 |url-status=live |last1=Smith |first1=Michael David |access-date=October 23, 2019}}

==Blackouts==

{{Main|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.{{cite news |title=It's official: Lions' game will be blacked out |url=https://www.mlive.com/lions/2008/10/its_official_the_blackout_stre.html |date=October 23, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023213647/https://www.mlive.com/lions/2008/10/its_official_the_blackout_stre.html |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |url-status=live |work=MLive |last1=Kowalski |first1=Tom |access-date=October 23, 2019}} 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.{{cite news |title=Lions beat Redskins to snap 19-game losing streak; 'we got King Kong off our back' |url=https://www.mlive.com/lions/2009/09/detroit_lions_snap_19-game_los.html |date=September 28, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023213643/https://www.mlive.com/lions/2009/09/detroit_lions_snap_19-game_los.html |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |url-status=live |work=MLive |last1=Kowalski |first1=Tom |access-date=October 23, 2019}}{{cite web |title=Lions-Browns blacked out in Detroit area |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/lions-browns-blacked-out-in-detroit-area |website=NBC Sports |date=November 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023213646/https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/11/19/lions-browns-blacked-out-in-detroit-area/ |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |url-status=live |last1=Florio |first1=Mike |author-link=Mike Florio |access-date=August 4, 2024 |language=en-US}}{{cite web |title=Stafford guides Lions to dramatic win over Browns |url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81467df2/article/stafford-guides-lions-to-dramatic-win-over-browns |website=National Football League |date=November 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023213647/https://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81467df2/article/stafford-guides-lions-to-dramatic-win-over-browns |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 17, 2020 |agency=Associated Press}} The Lions had only one blackout in 2010, yet another Redskins game, which the Lions won 37–25.{{cite news |title=Detroit Lions' game on Sunday will be blacked out locally |url=http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2010/10/detroit_lions_game_on_sunday_w.html |date=October 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030153023/http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2010/10/detroit_lions_game_on_sunday_w.html |archive-date=October 30, 2010 |url-status=live |work=MLive |last1=Kowalski |first1=Tom |access-date=October 29, 2010}} However, in 2015, the NFL suspended its blackout policies, meaning that all Lions games will be shown on local TV, regardless of tickets sold.{{Cite web |last=Grossman |first=Evan |date=March 26, 2015 |title=Why the NFL Finally Lifted Its Blackout Rules |url=https://www.mensjournal.com/adventure/why-the-nfl-finally-lifted-its-blackout-rules-20150326/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181229031202/https://www.mensjournal.com/adventure/why-the-nfl-finally-lifted-its-blackout-rules-20150326/ |archive-date=December 29, 2018 |access-date=December 28, 2018 |website=Men's Journal}}

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.{{cite web |title=Detroit Lions at Silverdome: The glory days |url=https://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/detroit-lions-at-silverdome-the-glory-days/article_c17089f2-9aec-575c-b6eb-9122c799c9fd.html |website=The Oakland Press |date=July 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023213647/https://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/detroit-lions-at-silverdome-the-glory-days/article_c17089f2-9aec-575c-b6eb-9122c799c9fd.html |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |url-status=live |last1=Pasche |first1=Paula |access-date=October 23, 2019}}{{cite web |title=Best moments in Pontiac Silverdome history |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/10/29/pontiac-silverdome-memories/74835284/ |website=Detroit Free Press |date=October 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023213646/https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/10/29/pontiac-silverdome-memories/74835284/ |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |url-status=live |last1=Schrader |first1=Steve |last2=McCollum |first2=Brian |last3=Manzullo |first3=Brian |access-date=October 23, 2019}}

Lions cheerleaders

{{Main|Detroit Lions Cheerleaders}}

On June 13, 2016, the Lions announced the addition of cheerleaders to the organization.{{cite web |title=Lions become one of final teams to add cheerleaders |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/16179000/detroit-lions-adding-cheerleaders-leaving-just-six-teams-them |website=ESPN |date=June 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820090751/http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/16179000/detroit-lions-adding-cheerleaders-leaving-just-six-teams-them |archive-date=August 20, 2016 |url-status=live |last1=Rothstein |first1=Michael |access-date=June 13, 2016}} 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.{{Cite press release |title=Detroit Lions to add cheerleaders |date=June 13, 2016 |publisher=NFL Enterprises |url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/detroit-lions-to-add-cheerleaders-17250448 |language=en-US |access-date=July 14, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919151426/https://www.detroitlions.com/news/detroit-lions-to-add-cheerleaders-17250448 |archive-date=September 19, 2020 |website=DetroitLions.com}}

See also

References

Notes

{{Reflist}}

Bibliography

  • {{Cite book |last=Griffith |first=R. D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K2pvvE8K0HIC |title=To the NFL: You Sure Started Somethin': A Historical Guide of All 32 NFL Teams and the Cities They've Played In |publisher=Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc. |year=2012 |isbn=978-1-4349-1762-1 |access-date=November 25, 2016}}

External links

{{commons category|Detroit Lions}}

  • {{Official website}}
  • [https://www.nfl.com/teams/detroit-lions/ Detroit Lions] at the National Football League official website
  • [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/index.htm Franchise Encyclopedia] at Pro Football Reference

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