Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions
Current season
Established 1930 (1930) Play in Ford Field Detroit, Michigan Headquartered in Allen Park, Michigan
Detroit Lions logo Logo Wordmark
League/conference affiliations
National Football League (1930–present) Western Division (1933–1949) National Conference (1950–1952) Western Conference (1953–1969) Central Division (1967–1969) National Football Conference (1970–present) NFC Central (1970–2001) NFC North (2002–present)
Current uniform
275px
Team colors	Honolulu Blue, Silver, Black, White
Fight song	Gridiron Heroes
Mascot	Roary the Lion Theo "Gridiron" Spight
Personnel
Owner(s)	Martha Firestone Ford
Chairman	Martha Firestone Ford
President	Rod Wood
General manager	Bob Quinn
Head coach	Jim Caldwell
Team history
Portsmouth Spartans (1930–1933) Detroit Lions (1934–present)
Championships
League championships (4) NFL Championships (pre-1970 AFL–NFL merger) (4) 1935, 1952, 1953, 1957
Conference championships (4) NFL National: 1952 NFL Western: 1953, 1954, 1957
Division championships (4) NFL West: 1935 NFC Central: 1983, 1991, 1993
Playoff appearances (17)
NFL: 1932, 1935, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1957, 1970, 1982, 1983, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2011, 2014
Home fields
In Portsmouth, Ohio Universal Stadium (1930–1933) In Detroit University of Detroit Stadium (1934–1937, 1940) Tiger Stadium (1938–1939, 1941–1974) a.k.a. Briggs Stadium (1938–1960) Ford Field (2002–present) In Pontiac, Michigan Pontiac Silverdome (1975–2001)

The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference (NFC) in the National Football League (NFL), and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.

Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and called the Portsmouth Spartans, the team formally joined the NFL on July 12, 1930 and began play in the 1930 season. Despite success within the NFL, they could not survive in Portsmouth, then the NFL's smallest city. The team was purchased and moved to Detroit for the 1934 season.

The Lions have won four NFL championships, tied for 9th overall in total championships amongst all 32 NFL franchises; however, their last was in 1957, which gives the club the second-longest NFL championship drought behind the Arizona Cardinals. They are one of four current teams, and the only NFC team, to have not yet played in the Super Bowl.

Franchise history

Main article: History of the Detroit Lions

See also: List of Detroit Lions seasons

See also: Portsmouth Spartans

Logos and uniforms

File:NFCN-Throwback3-Uniform-DET.PNG

Detroit Lions uniform: 2003–2008

File:NFC-Throwback-Uniform-DET.PNG

Detroit Lions uniform: 1999–2002

Aside from a brief change to maroon in 1948 instituted by then head coach Bo McMillin (influenced by his years as coach at Indiana), the Lions uniforms have basically remained the same since the team debuted in 1930. The design consists of silver helmets, silver pants, and either blue or white jerseys.

File:Lions2000.png

Lions logo (1970–2002). A variation of this logo with a black border was used until the 2009 NFL season, when the current logo was implemented.

There have been minor changes to the uniform design throughout the years, such as changing the silver stripe patterns on the jersey sleeves, and changing the colors of the jersey numbers. White trim was added to the logo in 1970. In 1998, the team wore blue pants with their white jerseys along with grey socks but dropped that combination after the season. In 1999, the "TV numbers" on the sleeves were moved to the shoulders.

The shade of blue used for Lions uniforms and logos is officially known as "Honolulu blue", which is supposedly inspired by the color of the waves off the coast of Hawaii. The shade was chosen by Cy Huston, the Lions first vice president and general manager, and of the choice, he said: "They had me looking at so many blues I am blue in the face," Huston said about the selection. "But anyway, it's the kind of blue, I am told, that will match with silver."

In 1994, every NFL team wore throwback jerseys, and the Lions' were similar to the jerseys used during their 1935 championship season. The helmets and pants were solid silver, the jerseys Honolulu blue with silver numbers and the jersey did not have "TV numbers" on the sleeves. The team wore solid blue socks along with black shoes. The helmets also did not have a logo, as helmets were simple leather back then. The Lions also wore '50s-style jerseys during their traditional Thanksgiving Day games from 2001 to 2004 as the NFL encouraged teams to wear throwback jerseys on Thanksgiving Day.

In 2003, the team added black trim to their logo and the jerseys. The face masks on the helmet changed from blue to black with the introduction of the new color. Additionally, an alternate home field jersey which makes black the dominant color (in place of Honolulu Blue) was introduced in 2005.

For 2008, the team dropped the black alternate jerseys in favor of a throwback uniform to commemorate the franchise's 75th anniversary. The throwback uniform became the team's permanent alternate jersey in 2009, replacing the former black alternate. The Lions officially unveiled new logo designs and uniforms on April 20, 2009. The Lion on the helmet now has a flowing mane and fangs, and the typeface of "Lions" is more modern.

Home attendance

Home Attendance at Ford Field Year Total Attendance 2006 487,116 2007 490,436 2008 435,979 2009 395,162 2010 450,286 2011 509,940 2012 510,158 2013 510,369 2014 504,198 Source:

Players of note

Main article: List of Detroit Lions players

Current roster

Detroit Lions roster
Quarterbacks  8 Dan Orlovsky  9 Matthew Stafford Running backs 21 Ameer Abdullah KR 35 Joique Bell 46 Michael Burton FB 25 Theo Riddick 38 George Winn Wide receivers 10 Corey Fuller 81 Calvin Johnson 13 T. J. Jones 16 Lance Moore 15 Golden Tate PR Tight ends 85 Eric Ebron 80 Bear Pascoe 83 Tim Wright		Offensive linemen 60 Braxston Cave C 65 Gabe Ikard C 77 Cornelius Lucas T 74 Michael Ola T 63 Manny Ramirez G 71 Riley Reiff T 70 Corey Robinson T 72 Laken Tomlinson G 75 Larry Warford G Defensive linemen 94 Ezekiel Ansah DE 99 Jermelle Cudjo DT 61 Kerry Hyder DT 91 Jason Jones DE 92 Haloti Ngata DT 97 Caraun Reid DT 52 Darryl Tapp DE 98 Devin Taylor DE 67 Khyri Thornton DT 78 C. J. Wilson DE 90 Gabe Wright DT		Linebackers 57 Josh Bynes OLB 95 Brandon Copeland OLB 50 Travis Lewis MLB 53 Kyle Van Noy OLB 59 Tahir Whitehead OLB 55 Stephen Tulloch MLB Defensive backs 42 Isa Abdul-Quddus SS 29 Crezdon Butler CB 26 Don Carey FS 28 Quandre Diggs CB 32 James Ihedigbo SS 43 Isaiah Johnson S 24 Nevin Lawson CB 27 Glover Quin FS 23 Darius Slay CB Special teams  6 Sam Martin P 48 Don Muhlbach LS  5 Matt Prater K				Reserve lists 33 Alex Carter CB (IR) 10px 96 Andre Fluellen DT (IR) 10px 68 Darren Keyton C (IR) 10px 54 DeAndre Levy OLB (IR) 10px 31 Rashean Mathis CB (IR) 10px 87 Brandon Pettigrew TE (IR) 10px 64 Travis Swanson C (IR) 10px 82 Jordan Thompson TE (IR) 10px 93 Tyrunn Walker DT (IR) 10px 30 Josh Wilson CB (IR) 10px 99 Corey Wootton DE (IR) 10px 34 Zach Zenner RB (IR) 10px Practice squad 49 Khaseem Greene LB 36 Kendall James CB 86 Casey Pierce TE 18 Ryan Spadola WR  2 Ricky Stanzi QB 73 Tyrus Thompson OT 19 Corey Washington WR 79 Larry Webster III DE Rookies in italics Roster updated October 20, 2015 Depth Chart • Transactions 53 Active, 6 Inactive, 10 Practice Squad → AFC rosters → NFC rosters
AFC East BUF MIA NE NYJ North BAL CIN CLE PIT South HOU IND JAX TEN West DEN KC OAK SD NFC East DAL NYG PHI WAS North CHI DET GB MIN South ATL CAR NO TB West ARI LA SF SEA

Retired numbers

Detroit Lions retired numbers
No.	Player	Position	Tenure
7	Dutch Clark	QB	1934–38
20	Barry Sanders	RB	1989–98
22	Bobby Layne	QB, K	1950–58
37	Doak Walker	HB, K, P	1950-55
56	Joe Schmidt	LB	1953–65
85	Chuck Hughes 1	WR	1970–71

Notes:

• ¹ Posthumous.
• The #20 was retired specifically for Sanders, even though the retired number was also worn by RB Billy Sims and DB Lem Barney, both of whom are also among the top all-time Lions at their positions.
• The No. 56 was unretired with Schmidt's blessing when the Lions acquired linebacker Pat Swilling from the Saints. No player has worn it since Swilling left.
• Hughes died of a heart attack during a game on October 24, 1971, and his No. 85 was withdrawn from circulation. However, WR Kevin Johnson wore No. 85 during his stint in Detroit after asking permission from the Hughes family as he had worn that number throughout his professional career.

Special cases:

• The Lions retired #93 for the 2009 season after Corey Smith disappeared, presumed dead, when a boat he was fishing in with friends capsized off the Florida coast. The Lions also wore 93 stickers on their helmets that season. Number 93 was assigned to Kyle Vanden Bosch in 2010.

Pro Football Hall of Famers

• 20 Lem Barney, DB (1992)
• 14 Jack Christiansen, DB (1970)
• 7 Dutch Clark, QB (1963)
• 76 Lou Creekmur, G/T (1996)
• 77 Curley Culp, DT (2013)
• 35 Bill Dudley, HB (1966)
• 72 Frank Gatski, C (1985)
• 35 John Henry Johnson, FB (1987)
• 81 Dick "Night Train" Lane, DB (1974)

• 28 Yale Lary, DB, P (1979)
• 22 Bobby Layne, QB (1967)
• 44 Dick LeBeau, DB (2010)
• 30 Ollie Matson, RB (1972)
• 20 Barry Sanders, RB (2004)
• 88 Charlie Sanders, TE (2007)
• 56 Joe Schmidt, LB (1973)
• 37 Doak Walker, HB (1986)
• 50 Alex Wojciechowicz, C, LB (1968)

Coaches

Main article: List of Detroit Lions head coaches

Current staff

Detroit Lions staff
	Front Office Owner/Chairman – Martha Firestone Ford Vice Chairman – William Clay Ford, Jr. President – Rod Wood Special Advisor to the President - Ernie Accorsi COO - Allison Maki Executive Vice President/General Manager – Bob Quinn Vice President of Football Administration - Matt Harriss Chief of Staff/Assistant to the General Manager – Kevin Anderson Director of Player Personnel – Kyle O'Brien Senior Personnel Executive – Brian Xanders Director of College Scouting – Lance Newmark Director of Pro Scouting - Brendan Prophett Assistant Director of Pro Personnel - Rob Lohman Head Coaches Head Coach – Jim Caldwell Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line – Ron Prince Offensive Coaches Offensive Coordinator – Jim Bob Cooter Quarterbacks – Brian Callahan Running Backs – David Walker Wide Receivers – Robert Prince Tight Ends – Al Golden Quality Control/Offensive Line - Michael McCarthy Offensive Assistant/Research & Analysis - Evan Rothstein			Defensive Coaches Defensive Coordinator – Teryl Austin Defensive Line – Kris Kocurek Defensive Assistant/Defensive Ends – Matt Raich Linebackers – Bill Sheridan Defensive Backs/Safeties – Alan Williams Defensive Backs/Corners – Tony Oden Defensive Quality Control - Steven Williams Senior Coaching Assistant – Gunther Cunningham Special Teams Coaches Special Teams Coordinator – Joe Marciano Special Teams Assistant - Devin Fitzsimmons Strength and Conditioning Head Strength and Conditioning – Harold Nash Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Josh Schuler Coaching Support Staff Director of Football Research/Special Projects - Randy Edsall Director of Coaching Operations - Gina Newell → Coaching Staff → Management → More NFL staffs
AFC East BUF MIA NE NYJ North BAL CIN CLE PIT South HOU IND JAX TEN West DEN KC OAK SD NFC East DAL NYG PHI WAS North CHI DET GB MIN South ATL CAR NO TB West ARI LA SF SEA

Divisions and division rivals

Main article: NFL Western Conference

The Lions have been a part of multiple divisions and have had several division rivals in their existence. Their oldest rivals are the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers, whom they have been paired with in a division since 1933. The Minnesota Vikings have been in a division with Detroit ever since their inaugural season in 1961. Other notable longtime division opponents were the Cleveland/Los Angeles Rams (29 seasons from 1937–1966, except for 1943), the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (25 seasons from 1977–2001), the San Francisco 49ers (17 seasons from 1950–1966), the Chicago Cardinals (16 seasons from 1933–1949, except for 1944), and the Baltimore Colts (14 seasons from 1953–1966).

The Lions also have a preseason rivalry with the Cleveland Browns, dubbed the Great Lakes Classic. The two teams have been playing for The Barge Trophy since 2002. The Lions and Browns had a solid rivalry in the 1950s, when they met four times for the NFL championship (Detroit won three of the matchups).

NFL Western Division: 1933–1949

• Chicago Bears (1933–1949)
• Chicago Cardinals (1933–1949, combined with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1944 as Card-Pitt)
• Cincinnati Reds (1933–1934, suspended the final 3 games of 1934 for failing to pay league dues)
• Cleveland / Los Angeles Rams (1937–1949, suspended play in 1943, moved to Los Angeles in 1946)
• Portsmouth Spartans / Detroit Lions (1933–1949)
• Green Bay Packers (1933–1949)
• St. Louis Gunners (1934, the final 3 games only as a replacement for the suspended Cincinnati Reds)
• Card-Pitt (1944, the combined Chicago Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers team)

NFL National Conference: 1950–1952

• Baltimore Colts (1950)
• Chicago Bears (1950–1952)
• Detroit Lions (1950–1952)
• Green Bay Packers (1950–1952)
• Los Angeles Rams (1950–1952)
• New York Yanks (1950–1951) / Dallas Texans (1952) (moved from New York to Dallas before folding, not to be confused with the American Football League team with the same name)
• San Francisco 49ers (1950–1952)

NFL Western Conference: 1953–1966

• Baltimore Colts (1953–1966)
• Chicago Bears (1953–1966)
• Detroit Lions (1953–1966)
• Green Bay Packers (1953–1966)
• Los Angeles Rams (1953–1966)
• San Francisco 49ers (1953–1966)
• Dallas Cowboys (1960)
• Minnesota Vikings (1961–1966)

NFL Central Division: 1967–1969

• Chicago Bears (1967–1969)
• Detroit Lions (1967–1969)
• Green Bay Packers (1967–1969)
• Minnesota Vikings (1967–1969)

NFC Central: 1970–2001

• Chicago Bears (1970–2001)
• Detroit Lions (1970–2001)
• Green Bay Packers (1970–2001)
• Minnesota Vikings (1970–2001)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1977–2001)

NFC North: 2002–present

• Chicago Bears (2002–present)
• Detroit Lions (2002–present)
• Green Bay Packers (2002–present)
• Minnesota Vikings (2002–present)

Radio and television

Main article: List of Detroit Lions broadcasters

Radio

Main article: Detroit Lions Radio Network

The Lions' flagship radio stations are WXYT-FM, 97.1 FM, and WXYT-AM, 1270 AM. Dan Miller does play-by-play, Jim Brandstatter does color commentary, and Tony Ortiz provides sideline reports. If a conflict with Detroit Tigers or Detroit Red Wings coverage arises, only WXYT-FM serves as the Lions' flagship. The Lions and WXYT AM/FM renewed their partnership for three more seasons on October 9, 2009.

On November 20, 2015, it was announced that the Detroit Lions would move to WJR beginning in the 2016 NFL season, ending the team's 20-year relationship with CBS Radio. The decision to part with CBS Radio was reportedly instigated by a demand by the team for WXYT to fire personality Mike Valenti—who has had a history of making comments critical of the Lions during his drive-time show, as a condition of any future renewal. A CBS Radio spokesperson stated that their refusal was meant to maintain the station's integrity.

TV

Preseason

Main article: Detroit Lions Television Network

In 2015, WJBK took over from WXYZ-TV as the flagship station Lions preseason games. The announcers are Matt Shepard with play-by-play, Rob Rubick and Nate Burleson with color commentary, and FOX2's Jennifer Hammond with sideline reports. Wraparound shows and preseason games are produced by Fox Sports Detroit which also airs replays of the broadcasts.

Regular season

Regular season games are broadcast regionally on Fox, except when the Lions play an AFC team in Detroit, in which case the game airs regionally on CBS. The Thanksgiving Day game in Detroit is always televised nationally on either Fox or CBS, depending upon which conference the visiting team plays in. The Detroit Lions were the last NFC team to play on NBC, since they got football back in 2006 (the Lions at Saints game on December 4, 2011 marked their 1st appearance). The Lions' official regular season pregame show is The Ford Lions Report.

Blackouts

Main article: National Football League television blackout policies

The Lions' winless performance in 2008 and 2–14 season in 2009, coupled with the effects of the Great Recession in Michigan, led to several local broadcast blackouts, as local fans did not purchase enough tickets by the 72-hour blackout deadline. In 2008, five of the Lions' final six home games of the season did not sell out, with the Thanksgiving game being the exception. The first blackout in the seven-year history of Ford Field was on October 26, 2008, against the Washington Redskins. The previous 50 regular season home games had been sellouts. The second home game of the 2009 season in which the Lions broke the losing streak (also against the Washington Redskins) was blacked out locally, as well as the comeback victory over the Cleveland Browns. The Lions had only one blackout in 2010, the Washington Redskins game, which the Lions won 37–25.

Games were also often blacked out at the Lions' previous home, the (perhaps over-sized) 80,000-seat Pontiac Silverdome, despite winning seasons and the success and popularity of star players such as Barry Sanders.