Detroit Lions
Current season
Established July 12, 1930; 92 years ago (July 12, 1930)[1]
First season: 1930
Play in Ford Field
Detroit, Michigan
Headquartered in Allen Park, Michigan
Detroit Lions logo
Detroit Lions wordmark
LogoWordmark
League/conference affiliations

National Football League (1930–present)

Current uniform
Detroit lions unif17.png
Team colorsHonolulu blue, silver[2][3][4]
   
Fight songGridiron Heroes
MascotRoary the Lion
Personnel
Owner(s)Sheila Ford Hamp[5]
ChairmanSheila Ford Hamp
PresidentRod Wood
General managerBrad Holmes
Head coachDan Campbell
Team history
Championships
League championships (4)
Conference championships (4)
Division championships (4)
Playoff appearances (21)
Home fields

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 play 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.[6] The team were also renamed the Lions in reference to the city's Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise, the Tigers.[7]

The Lions won four NFL Championship Games between 1935 and 1957, all prior to the Super Bowl era. Since the 1957 championship, the franchise has won only a single playoff game during the 1991 season and holds the league's longest postseason win drought.[8] While they share the distinction of never appearing in a Super Bowl with the Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, and Jacksonville Jaguars, they are the only franchise operational for the entirety of the Super Bowl era to have never made it, as well as the only NFC team to have not done so.[9][10][11]

Franchise history

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.[12][13]

Billy Sims (No. 20) rushing the ball against the Los Angeles Rams on September 7, 1980
Billy Sims (No. 20) rushing the ball against the Los Angeles Rams on September 7, 1980

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.[13][14]

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.[13] 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.[12] 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.[12][15] In 1999, the "TV numbers" on the sleeves were moved to the shoulders.[16]

In 1994, every NFL team wore throwback jerseys, and the Lions' were similar to the jerseys used 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.[12] 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.[17][18][19][20][21]

In 2003, the team added black trim to their logo and jerseys. The face masks on the helmet changed from blue to black with the introduction of the new color. In 2005, the team introduced an alternate, black, jersey.[12][22]

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.[23] 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.[24]

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.[2][22] The Lions then unveiled the new uniforms on April 13, 2017, which include blue pants for the first time since 1998, and an alternate all-silver uniform; the facemasks also became chrome.[25][26] 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 replaces the black "WCF" patch on the left breast that was added after Ford's death.[27]

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.[28]

Thanksgiving Day tradition

The Lions, seen here during the 2007 Thanksgiving game against their division rival Green Bay Packers, have played on Thanksgiving since 1934.
The Lions, seen here during the 2007 Thanksgiving game against their division rival Green Bay Packers, have played on Thanksgiving since 1934.

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 games live across all of the network's stations.[29] Since then, the tradition of the Lions playing on Thanksgiving has continued uninterrupted.[30]

Players of note

Main article: List of Detroit Lions players

Current roster

Detroit Lions roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists

Unrestricted FAs

Restricted FAs

Exclusive-Rights FAs

Rookies in italics

Roster updated January 15, 2023

35 active, 11 inactive, 29 free agent(s)

→ AFC rosters → NFC rosters
Calvin Johnson
Calvin Johnson
Bobby Layne
Bobby Layne
Barry Sanders
Barry Sanders
Charlie Sanders
Charlie Sanders
Joe Schmidt
Joe Schmidt
Doak Walker
Doak Walker

Retired numbers

Detroit Lions retired numbers
No. Player Position Tenure Retired
7 Dutch Clark QB 1931–1932
1934–1938		 October 15, 1939[1][31][32]
20 Lem Barney CB 1967–1977 November 25, 2004[33]
Billy Sims RB 1980–1984
Barry Sanders RB 1989–1998
22 Bobby Layne QB, K 1950–1958 [1]
37 Doak Walker HB, K, P 1950–1955 December 11, 1955[1][34][35]
56 Joe Schmidt 1 LB 1953–1965 [1]
85 Chuck Hughes 2 WR 1970–1971 [1]

Notes:

Special cases

Pro Football Hall of Fame members

Main article: List of Detroit Lions in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Detroit Lions Hall of Fame members
Players
No. Name Positions Seasons Inducted No. Name Positions Seasons Inducted
20 Lem Barney CB 1967–1977 1992[44] 28 Yale Lary DB, P 1952–1953
1956–1964		 1979[45]
19, 24 Jack Christiansen DB 1951–1958 1970[46] 22 Bobby Layne QB 1950–1958 1967[47]
7, 12, 19 Dutch Clark QB 1931–1932
1934–1938		 1963[48] 24, 44 Dick LeBeau DB 1959–1972 2010[49]
Coach 1937–1938
76 Lou Creekmur G/OT 1950–1959 1996[50] 30 Ollie Matson RB 1963 1972[51]
77 Curley Culp DT 1980–1981 2013[52] 39 Hugh McElhenny HB 1964 1970[53]
35, 44 Bill Dudley HB 1947–1949 1966[54] 20 Barry Sanders RB 1989–1998 2004[55]
72 Frank Gatski C 1957 1985[56] 88 Charlie Sanders TE 1968–1977 2007[57]
81 Calvin Johnson WR 2007–2015 2021[58] 56 Joe Schmidt LB
Coach		 1953–1965
1967–1972		 1973[59]
35 John Henry Johnson FB 1957–1959 1987[60] 63 Dick Stanfel G 1952–1955 2016[61]
71 Alex Karras DT 1958–1962
1964–1970		 2020[62] 37 Doak Walker HB 1950–1955 1986[63]
81 Dick "Night Train" Lane CB 1960–1965 1974[64] 30, 50 Alex Wojciechowicz C, LB 1938–1946 1968[65]

Pride of the Lions

In 2009, the Pride of the Lions was established. The Pride of the Lions is the ring of honor for the franchise's greatest players.[66][67]

Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Pride of the Lions
No. Player Position Tenure Inducted
20 Lem Barney CB 1967–1977 2009[68]
76 Roger Brown DT 1960–1966 2018[66]
24 Jack Christiansen DB 1951–1958 2009[68]
7, 12, 19 Dutch Clark QB 1931–1932
1934–1938		 2009[68]
76 Lou Creekmur G/T 1950–1959 2009[68]
4 Jason Hanson K 1992–2012 2013[69]
71 Alex Karras DT 1958–1962
1964–1970		 2018[66]
81 Dick "Night Train" Lane CB 1960–1965 2009[68]
28 Yale Lary DB, P 1952–1953
1956–1964		 2009[68]
22 Bobby Layne QB 1950–1958 2009[68]
24, 44 Dick LeBeau DB 1959–1972 2010[70]
84 Herman Moore WR 1991–2001 2018[66]
20 Barry Sanders RB 1989–1998 2009[68]
88 Charlie Sanders TE 1968–1977 2009[68]
56 Joe Schmidt LB 1953–1965 2009[68]
54 Chris Spielman LB 1988–1995 2021[67]
63 Dick Stanfel OG 1952–1955 2016[71]
37 Doak Walker HB 1950–1955 2009[68]
30, 50 Alex Wojciechowicz C, LB 1938–1946 2009[68]

75th Season All-Time Team

On November 9, 2008, the Lions honored the 75th Season All-Time Team during halftime against the Jacksonville Jaguars.[72][73] The team was chosen via an online fan poll and selection committee.[72] Bold indicates those elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

75th Season All-Time Team
No. Player Position Tenure
6 Jim Arnold P 1986–1993
60 Al Baker DE 1978–1982
20 Lem Barney CB 1967–1977
36 Bennie Blades DB 1988–1996
75 Lomas Brown T 1985–1995
76 Roger Brown DT 1960–1966
19, 24 Jack Christiansen DB 1951–1958
7, 12, 19 Dutch Clark QB 1931–1932
1934–1938
89 Gail Cogdill WR 1960–1968
76 Lou Creekmur G/T 1950–1959
25 Jim David DB 1952–1959
44 Don Doll DB 1949–1952
78 Doug English DT 1975–1985
54 Ed Flanagan C 1965–1974
53 Kevin Glover C 1985–1997
75 John Gordy OG 1957–1967
23 Mel Gray KR/PR 1989–1994
4 Jason Hanson 1 K 1992–2012
71 Alex Karras DT 1958–1962
1964–1970
81 Dick "Night Train" Lane CB 1960–1965
28 Yale Lary DB, P 1952–1953
1956–1964
22 Bobby Layne QB 1950–1958
24, 44 Dick LeBeau DB 1959–1972
84 Herman Moore WR 1991–2001
3 Eddie Murray K 1980–1991
91 Robert Porcher DE 1992–2003
20 Barry Sanders RB 1989–1998
88 Charlie Sanders TE 1968–1977
30 Cory Schlesinger FB 1995–2006
56 Joe Schmidt LB 1953–1965
66 Harley Sewell OG 1953–1962
20 Billy Sims RB 1980–1984
54 Chris Spielman LB 1988–1995
37 Doak Walker HB 1950–1955
55 Wayne Walker LB 1958–1972
30, 50 Alex Wojciechowicz C, LB 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.[74] Bold indicates those elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Lions All-Time Team
No. Player Position Tenure
60 Al Baker DE 1978–1982
20 Lem Barney CB 1967–1977
36 Bennie Blades DB 1988–1996
75 Lomas Brown T 1985–1995
76 Roger Brown DT 1960–1966
19, 24 Jack Christiansen DB 1951–1958
7, 12, 19 Dutch Clark QB 1931–1932
1934–1938
89 Gail Cogdill WR 1960–1968
76 Lou Creekmur G/T 1950–1959
25 Jim David DB 1952–1959
44 Don Doll DB 1949–1952
7, 20, 56 Ox Emerson G, C, LB 1931–1937
78 Doug English DT 1975–1985
54 Ed Flanagan C 1965–1974
53 Kevin Glover C 1985–1997
23 Mel Gray KR/PR 1989–1994
4 Jason Hanson K 1992–2012
81 Calvin Johnson WR 2007–2015
71 Alex Karras DT 1958–1962
1964–1970
81 Dick "Night Train" Lane CB 1960–1965
28 Yale Lary DB, P 1952–1953
1956–1964
22 Bobby Layne QB 1950–1958
24, 44 Dick LeBeau DB 1959–1972
53 Mike Lucci LB 1965–1973
84 Herman Moore WR 1991–2001
48 Don Muhlbach 1 LS 2004–2020
33 Nick Pietrosante FB 1959–1965
91 Robert Porcher DE 1992–2003
20 Barry Sanders RB 1989–1998
88 Charlie Sanders TE 1968–1977
30 Cory Schlesinger FB 1995–2006
56 Joe Schmidt LB 1953–1965
66 Harley Sewell OG 1953–1962
20 Billy Sims RB 1980–1984
54 Chris Spielman LB 1988–1995
9 Matthew Stafford QB 2009–2020
63 Dick Stanfel OG 1952–1955
37 Doak Walker HB 1950–1955
30, 50 Alex Wojciechowicz C, LB 1938–1946

Note:

Michigan Sports Hall of Fame

Main article: Michigan Sports Hall of Fame

Staff

Current staff

Detroit Lions staff
Front office
  • Owner – Sheila Ford Hamp
  • Vice chairpeople – William Clay Ford Jr., Martha Ford Morse and Elizabeth Ford Kontulis
  • Team president – Rod Wood
  • Special assistant to chairman and president & CEO – Chris Spielman
  • Executive vice president/general manager – Brad Holmes
  • Assistant general manager – Ray Agnew
  • Director of player personnel – Lance Newmark
  • Director of pro scouting – Rob Lohman
  • Director of scouting advancement – Mike Martin
  • Senior personnel executive – John Dorsey
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
  
Defensive coaches
  • Defensive coordinator – Aaron Glenn
  • Defensive line – Todd Wash
  • Assistant defensive line – Cameron Davis
  • Linebackers – Kelvin Sheppard
  • Safeties – Brian Duker
  • Defensive assistant/outside linebackers – David Corrao
  • Defensive quality control – Addison Lynch
  • Defensive quality control – Wayne Blair
  • WCF minority fellowship – Shaun Dion Hamilton
Special teams coaches
  • Special teams coordinator – Dave Fipp
  • Assistant special teams – Jett Modkins
Coaching administration
  • Chief of staff/head coach administration – Kevin Anderson
Strength and conditioning
  • Director of sports performance – Mike Clark
  • Director of sports science – Jill Costanza
  • Head strength & conditioning – Josh Schuler
  • Assistant strength & conditioning – Morris Henry

→ Coaching staff
→ Management
→ More NFL staffs

Head coaches

Main article: List of Detroit Lions head coaches
Dan Campbell is the current head coach of the Detroit Lions
Dan Campbell is the current 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.[75] The current head coach of the Lions is Dan Campbell, who was hired on January 20, 2021.[76]

Offensive coordinators

Name Tenure
No Offensive Coordinator between 1934–1966
Bill McPeak 1967–1972
No Offensive Coordinator between 1973–1975
Ken Shipp 1976
Ed Hughes 1977
Bob Schnelker 1978–1981
Ted Marchibroda 1982–1983
Bill Nelsen 1984
Bob Baker 1985–1988
Dave Levy 1991
Dan Henning 1992–1993
Dave Levy 1994
Tom Moore 1994–1996
Sylvester Croom 1997–2000
Gary Moeller 2000
Maurice Carthon 2001–2002
Sherman Lewis 2003–2004
Ted Tollner 2005
Mike Martz 2006–2007
Jim Colletto 2008
Scott Linehan 2009–2013
Joe Lombardi 2014–2015
Jim Bob Cooter 2015–2018
Darrell Bevell 2019–2020
Anthony Lynn 2021
Ben Johnson 2022–present

Defensive coordinators

Name Tenure
No Defensive Coordinator between 1934–1951
Buster Ramsey 1952–1959
Don Shula 1960–1962
No Defensive Coordinator between 1963–1974
Jimmy Carr (American football) 1975–1976
Fritz Shurmur 1977
No Defensive Coordinator between 1978–1979
Maxie Baughan 1980–1982
Ed Beard 1983–1984
Wayne Fontes 1985–1988
Woody Widenhofer 1989–1992
Hank Bullough 1993
Herb Paterra 1994–1995
Jim Eddy 1996
Larry Peccatiello 1997–2000
Vince Tobin 2001
Kurt Schottenheimer 2002–2003
Dick Jauron 2004–2005
Donnie Henderson 2006
Joe Barry 2007–2008
Gunther Cunningham 2009–2013
Teryl Austin 2014–2017
Paul Pasqualoni 2018–2019
Cory Undlin 2020
Aaron Glenn 2021–present

Special Teams coordinators

Name Tenure
John Bonamego 2019
Brayden Coombs 2020
Dave Fipp 2021–present

Rivalries

The Lions have had several division rivals in their existence. Their oldest rivals are the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers, whom they have faced since 1930.[77][78] The Minnesota Vikings have been in a division with Detroit ever since their inaugural season in 1961.[79][80] Another notable longtime division opponent was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (25 seasons from 1977 to 2001).[81]

The Lions also have a preseason rivalry with the Cleveland Browns, dubbed the Great Lakes Classic.[82] The two teams have been playing for The Barge Trophy since 2002.[83] The Lions and Browns had a solid rivalry in the 1950s, when they met four times for the NFL championship (Detroit won three of the matchups); they have met much less frequently during the regular season since the 1970 AFL–NFL merger due to the Browns' move to the AFC.[84]

Radio and television

Main article: List of Detroit Lions broadcasters
Map of radio affiliates
Map of radio affiliates

Radio

Main article: Detroit Lions Radio Network

The Lions' flagship radio station is WXYT-FM.[85] Dan Miller does play-by-play, Lomas Brown does color commentary, and T. J. Lang is the sideline reporter.[86][87]

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.[88] 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.[88][89]

The Lions' flagship station returned to WXYT-FM starting with the 2021 season.[90]

TV

Preseason

Main article: Detroit Lions Television Network

In 2015, WJBK took over from WXYZ-TV as the flagship station for Lions preseason games.[91] In 2022, the announcers were Brandon Gaudin with play-by-play, Devin Gardner with color commentary, and Dannie Rogers with sideline reports.[92] Games are produced by Bally Sports Detroit.[93][94]

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.[95][96] The Thanksgiving Day game in Detroit is always televised nationally.[30] 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.[97]

Blackouts

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.[98] 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.[99][100][101] The Lions had only one blackout in 2010, yet another Redskins game, which the Lions won 37–25.[102] However, in 2015, the NFL suspended its blackout policies, meaning that all Lions games will be shown on local TV, regardless of tickets sold.[103]

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.[104][105]

Lions cheerleaders

Main article: Detroit Lions Cheerleaders

On June 13, 2016, the Lions announced their decision to add official cheerleaders to the organization.[106] 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.[107]

See also

Notes and references

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  2. ^ a b "Detroit Lions statement regarding rebranding". DetroitLions.com. NFL Enterprises. February 1, 2017. Archived from the original on August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  3. ^ "Lions Visual Identity" (PDF). 2021 Detroit Lions Media Guide (PDF). NFL Enterprises. August 3, 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 16, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021. On Feb. 1, 2017 the Lions once again updated the team's logo and typeface as part of a rebranding initiative that also included four new uniform options. The updated logo and typeface includes the removal of black from the brand identity, emphasizing the team's class color combination of Honolulu blue and silver that has been synonymous with the Detroit Lions since 1934.
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