Detroit Lions

Lore & Background

The franchise was founded in Portsmouth, Ohio, as the Portsmouth Spartans in 1928 and joined the NFL on July 12, 1930. 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. 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 a Super Bowl.

Reader's Guide

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. The blue used by the Lions is officially known as 'Honolulu blue'. The team has worn various alternate uniforms over the years, including black jerseys and throwback designs. The Lions have played on Thanksgiving since 1934, excluding the years of 1939–1944 due to World War II.

Did You Know?

• The Lions' colors were chosen by team owner George A. Richards after Glenn Presnell and his wife picked blue and silver from combinations that included red and white, orange and black, and blue and silver.
• The Lions wore an alternate blue helmet for the first time since 1955 in 2023.