It's Thanksgiving, which means it's time for turkey, cranberries, and football. While football on Thanksgiving predates the NFL, the most famous tradition is the annual game involving the Detroit Lions. The Lions first started playing annually on Thanksgiving back in 1934, when then owner George A. Richards scheduled a game against the Chicago Bears to try and build attendance for the Lions, who had just moved from Portsmith, Ohio. The game was a success as tickets sold out nearly two weeks before the game. The Bears beat the Lions 19-16 that day, and contrary to popular belief, the Lions have actually won a couple of these Thanksgiving games. Below is a photograph taken during that first Turkey Day game.
It’s Thanksgiving, which...
photo: Photo c/o The Pro Football Hall Of Fame
