Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions, originally known as the Spartans, have been part of professional football since 1930. Hailing from Portsmouth, Ohio, the franchise was relocated to Detroit in 1934. Here, the Lions’ tradition of hosting a game on Thanksgiving Day was born, a tradition that has remained except during World War II. The first NFL championship was tasted in 1935, with Earl (“Dutch”) Clark playing a pivotal role. But the following decade wasn’t kind to the Lions, with only two winning seasons in the 1940s.

 

Glory Days of the 1950s

The 1950s saw a revival for the Lions. With stars like quarterback Bobby Layne and running back Doak Walker, the Lions became one of the league’s dominant teams. The Lions secured NFL championship victories in 1952 and 1953 against the Cleveland Browns and again in 1957, marking a remarkable period of success.

 

Decades of Struggles

However, success became elusive in the 1960s. Despite a robust defense featuring talents like Dick (“Night Train”) Lane and Alex Karras, the Lions missed the playoffs throughout the decade. This period was perhaps best marked by writer George Plimpton’s experience with the team, detailed in his book “Paper Lion.” The Lions’ woes continued into the 1970s and 80s. Playoff appearances in the early 1980s were short-lived, and the team fell to the division’s lower ranks by the mid-1980s.

 

The Barry Sanders Era

In 1989, the drafting of running back Barry Sanders brought new energy to the Lions. Earning Pro Bowl honors in each of his 10 seasons, Sanders played a pivotal role in the team’s resurgence. The Lions reached the NFC championship game in 1991 but fell short. Four more playoff appearances between 1992 and 1997 all ended in first-round exits.

 

Millen’s Tenure and A New Beginning

A significant turn of events took place in 2001 with the hiring of Matt Millen as general manager. Millen’s tenure, marked by a dismal record of 31–84, saw the Lions become the first team in league history to go 0–16 in 2008. But with the drafting of quarterback Matt Stafford in 2009, a new era began. Stafford’s partnership with All-Pro wide receiver Calvin Johnson led to a playoff appearance in 2011. Despite some ups and downs, including a playoff return in 2014, the Lions continued to strive to recapture their past glory.

 

Recent Years

The years following 2015 were marked by a struggle to maintain consistency. A postseason berth in 2016 was followed by a dry spell, with the team posting a 3–12–1 record in 2019.