OT: The Lions

[GrogansArmy]

I'm not really up on football history, but I've always been curious as to why the Lions always get a game on Thanksgiving day? Dallas I guess I can understand because they have been so popular and usually good for a very long time and cause they have a huge fan base. But the Lions? They've sucked for as long as I can remember and I can't recall ever meeting a Lions fan.

Oh well, I guess i can just hope that maybe one day it'll become a tradition for the Pats and Indy (or steelers) to play on Thanksgiving.

 

[wilfork is beastin']

Re: The Lions

It's a long-standing tradition that goes back decades, don't know the meaning behind it. On a side note, the Thanksgiving Pats-Lions game from 02 was the first time this decade the throwback Pats uni's were worn

 

[GrogansArmy]

Re: The Lions

Yeah I guess thats what i was really wondering - what is the meaning behind the decades long standing tradition.

 

[Wax Frog]

Re: The Lions

According to this article, it was just a matter of having the idea first...

Here's a compromise idea - tie the Lions' rights to that slot to their record. For example, maybe give it up whenever their average W/L record for the previous X number of seasons is below .300? I'm allowed to dream...

 

[PatsFan24]

Re: The Lions

I always root for the lions on turkey day, it is a tradition. unless they play the pats like they did in 00 and 02

 

[DarrylS]

Re: The Lions

Without checking the history, my feeble mind, seems to remember Lions and Green Bay back in the day.. just a tradition, Detroit needs some traditions...

 

[Tunescribe]

Re: The Lions

Hard to imagine being a Lions fan. It's got to be worse than being a Jets fan, and that's the bottom of the barrel.

 

[jmt57]

Re: The Lions

Rearding the idea of getting better teams to play on Thanksgiving, I wouldn't count on that happening anytime soon. The networks have a captive audience, and it's now tradition in many families to watch the NFL games regardless of who is playing. In other words, giving us a more competitive game will not result in any higher ratings, therefore there is no incentive for the NFL to schedule teams like the Patriots, Steelers or Colts on Thanksgiving.

On the other hand the networks do want to save those teams for Sunday's game - when they don't have all those casual fans as a captive audience. With three games on Thursday, another Sunday night and another Monday night, there would be no decent games worth watching Sunday afternoon if Thanksgiving is filled with compelling games. While we may not like it as fans, from a business standpoint it makes sense to not bother with scheduling very good teams play on Thanksgiving; people are going to watch those games regardless of who is playing.

 

[juxtapoz15]

Re: The Lions

I heard something on the radio last year where they explained that for a while decades ago no other NFL team was willing to do a Thanksgiving day besides the Lions.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Re: The Lions

I kinda like the way the tradition is now. I do root for the Lions every year, except against the Pats. Root AGAINST the Cowboys every year, unless they are playing the AFC East, Steelers or Colts. I miss the night game cause I don't have the NFL Network. Great tradition though, Family, Turkey & Football, love it.

 

[Pujo]

Maybe because other players want to celebrate Thanksgiving with their families, but if you're living in Detroit and playing for the Lions, what do you really have to be thankful for?

 

[ricogatenby99]

Re: The Lions

Without checking the history, my feeble mind, seems to remember Lions and Green Bay back in the day.. just a tradition, Detroit needs some traditions...

Just like on the sitcom Friends, on a thanksgiving episode :singing:

 

[mr3putt]

In the days prior to the Lions being in the Dome it was fun to watch them stomp around in the mud and snow.
Gave everyone in the house a warm and fuzzy knowing you were comfortable and dry with good food minutes away.

Now the Lions give my wife a reason to turn the game off during our meal.
And these days I don't fight it....much

Would love to see alternative teams.
IMHO