RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
The Detroit Lions franchise was founded in Portsmouth, Ohio as the Portsmouth Spartans and joined the NFL on July 12, 1930. Amid financial struggles, the team was relocated to Detroit in 1934. The team was also renamed the Lions in reference to the city's Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise, the Tigers.
The Lions won four NFL Championship Games between 1935 and 1957, all prior to the Super Bowl era. Since their 1957 championship, the team has won only a single playoff game in 1992 and never advanced beyond the NFC Championship Game. They are the oldest NFL team to not appear in the Super Bowl, as well as the only franchise operational for the entirety of the Super Bowl era and the only NFC team not to appear.
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1971 - Chicago Bears vs Detroit Lions - NFL Radio Broadcast
On October 24, 1971, the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions met at Tiger Stadium in a closely contested NFC Central game. Both teams entered with 3-2 records, with the Bears led by quarterback Bobby Douglass and coach Jim Dooley, while the Lions, coached by Joe Schmidt, were guided by quarterback Greg Landry. Detroit, featuring standout players like wide receiver Chuck Hughes and running back Steve Owens, sought a crucial win to gain an edge in the divisional standings. This game, however, would tragically be marked by an unexpected event, casting a somber tone on a competitive season.
The game unfolded with back-and-forth scoring, as Chicago found the end zone first with a 21-yard run by Don Shy and a 54-yard touchdown pass from Douglass to George Farmer in the second quarter. Detroit answered with a 102-yard kickoff return by Ron Jessie and a touchdown reception by Larry Walton, pushing them to a slim lead by halftime. In the final minutes of the game, Chuck Hughes collapsed on the field after running a route. Despite efforts to revive him, Hughes was later pronounced dead due to a heart attack, marking the first time in NFL history a player died during a game.
Chicago won 28-23, improving to 4-2, though the result was overshadowed by Hughes’s passing. Detroit, who fell to 3-3, finished the game in shock and mourning. The incident deeply impacted the Lions, Hughes's family, and the entire NFL community. This game remains a somber chapter in NFL history, remembered not only for the fierce rivalry but for the tragic loss that unfolded on the field.
Philly's cornerback Darius Slay, joins The
Pivot to talk about the Eagles this season, personal goals...
Eagles’ Darius Slay Talks Monday Night Matchup, Justin Jefferson & Dak's injury | The Pivot Podcast / Philly's cornerback Darius Slay, joins The
Pivot to talk about the Eagles this season, personal goals of legacy and hall of fame and how being a young father shaped the man he is today.
At the age of 13 years old, Darius' mother gave birth to him and he was raised mostly by his grandma but extremely close with his mother throughout his life to this day. Darius, a young father himself, expresses how his upbringing of community and love taught him the importance of how it takes a village to raise a child and helped him transition into being a father. Darius opens up to the guys that without his son, he wouldn't be where he is today because becoming a young father served as motivation and helped change his course from getting in trouble, jail time to hearing his name called in the 2013 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.
As the conversation moves toward football, Darius talks about how making it to the NFL gave him the opportunity to right the wrongs of some of his off the field troubles and the resources to help give back to the community that raised him and that taught him about life. Ryan asks how he feels about the NFC East rival losing Dak Prescott early and how it affects their mindset in the division. Darius, who is friends with the Cowboys quarterback from college days, hates to see a team lose its heartbeat but also is disappointed since he misses his chance to pick his old friend off this year.
Ranking as one of the most elite cornerbacks in the league, Darius talks about his journey from Detroit to Philadelphia and how it hasn't always been smooth but hoping that strong leadership helps lead his current team on a path to a championship. Impressed by Quarterback Jalen Hurts and his transcension to the Eagles leader, Darius thinks that Jalen is the one who can keep the offense firing this year and Darius says the defense is ready to match the offensive efforts. Darius feels the team has all the pieces in place to be a super bowl contender and gets goosebumps thinking about the team's potential.
Ahead of Monday Night's Matchup against Minnesota, Darius knows he has his work cut out for him facing off against one of the NFL's top wide receiver in Justin Jefferson- Darius says Jefferson is the 2nd best receiver in the league to Devante Adams and that he respects the explosiveness of his game. "I get paid millions of dollars to play a kid game, and I love it".
Matthew Stafford says thank you to the city of Detroit and Detroit Lions fans....
Thank You, Detroit | Tribute to Matthew Stafford's time with the Detroit Lions / Matthew Stafford says thank you to the city of Detroit and Detroit Lions fans.
Barry Sanders recorded the third 2,000-yard season in 1997, rushing for 2,053 yards. Sanders had opened the season with
Barry Sanders Rushes for 2000 yards / Barry Sanders recorded the third 2,000-yard season in 1997, rushing for 2,053 yards. Sanders had opened the season with only 53 yards through two games, but ran for 100 yards or more in each of the last 14 games of the season and averaged 6.1 yards per carry during the season
Although the Cowboys held Lions' star running back Barry Sanders in check for most of...
Barry Sanders run vs Cowboys / Although the Cowboys held Lions' star running back Barry Sanders in check for most of the game, Kramer threw for 341 yards and three touchdowns and Sanders closed the scoring with an electrifying 47-yard touchdown run for a 38–6 victory. It was the Lions' first—and, to date, only—postseason victory since they won their last league championship in 1957.
Matchup between the 1991 Detroit Lions and the 1969 Kansas City Chiefs, two teams from...
NFL 1991 Detroit Lions vs. 1969 Kansas City Chiefs • Full Game Simulation / Matchup between the 1991 Detroit Lions and the 1969 Kansas City Chiefs, two teams from different eras with their own unique strengths. On one side, you have the '91 Lions, a team that was defined by the electrifying running of Barry Sanders. That year, Sanders rushed for over 1,500 yards, showcasing his unique ability to make defenders miss and turn seemingly ordinary plays into highlight-reel moments. The Detroit Lions finished the season with a 12-4 record, making it to the NFC Championship game, a rare high point in the franchise's history.
On the other side, you have the '69 Chiefs, who were led by their stalwart quarterback, Len Dawson. This was the season that the Chiefs won their first Super Bowl, Super Bowl IV, with Dawson named the game's Most Valuable Player. The team's defense, known as the "65 Toss Power Trap," was also a significant factor in their success, making them a formidable opponent for any team. It's a clash of styles, with the Lions' dynamic offense going up against the Chiefs' rock-solid defense. It's a what-if scenario that any football fan would love to see play out.
The Detroit Lions destroyed the Cleveland Brown, 59-14 in the 1957 NFL Championship. Detroit had won the regular-season game 20–7
Broadcast of 1957 NFL Championship Game / The Detroit Lions destroyed the Cleveland Brown, 59-14 in the 1957 NFL Championship. Detroit had won the regular-season game 20–7 three weeks earlier on December 8, also at Briggs Stadium, but lost quarterback Bobby Layne for the season with a broken right ankle late in the first half.
