Thanksgiving, the Detroit Lions and the Relish Tray

November 25, 2015

On the west coast, it's 10 am on Thanksgiving Day, slippers on, recliner mobilized, remote control in hand, and I turn on the tube to find the Detroit Lions against the Packers. Too early for turkey but not for this lovely tradition that is older than I am. The Detroit franchise has played on Thanksgiving since 1934. We always got the Lions game first on the West Coast, followed by Dallas, who started playing in 1967.

The NFL had very humble beginnings, and owners attempted different things to get fans to attend games. The Lions owner moved his franchise from Ohio, so he tried this Thanksgiving gimmick to capture interest. They played a good Chicago team that day which was broadcast nationwide. They have hosted a Thanksgiving game every year since only to miss six seasons during World War II. Their record is 35-38-2.

Most football fans will never see a Lions game if it were not for the Turkey Bowl. Some great players have played for the Detroit organization, and their chance at national exposure is limited due to Detroit's lack of post season appearances. I remember seeing one of the greatest running backs of all time, Barry Sanders, on Thanksgiving against the Bears. He ran crazy on the Chicago defense that game and scored a few touchdowns. Sander's record on Thanksgiving is 7-3, and he's run for over 900 yards; only Emmett Smith rushed for more, over 1100 yards.

Thanksgiving is one day when most of us are Lions fans, except for the opponent's fan base and gamblers. This is an up and down year for the boys in blue, but they won a couple in a row and will play the Philadelphia Eagles, one they can win. I may not be eating my turkey dinner at ten in the morning, but I might start early on the relish tray. Salute Detroit Lions!