Illustration by Grace Faver
By RJ Hunt
Editor
If I had a dollar for every time I was asked, “Do the Lions play on Thanksgiving this year” then I’d be rich. I usually give a polite answer and say yes, followed by their opponent for the game. In reality, I want to flip out because I thought it was common knowledge the Lions play on Thanksgiving every year. I know the Lions have a bad reputation when it comes to success because they don’t win much. This has led some to say, “take the Turkey Day game away”, but I won’t stand for it because it’s usually the only time the team receives national attention.
The Lions Thanksgiving game tradition began almost 90 years ago. Team owner, George Richards, wanted the Lions to play on Thanksgiving so the team could gain exposure. He was able to convince stations to broadcast the game and tickets to the game sold out. Before you ask, yes the Lions lost the first Thanksgiving game in Detroit. However, due to the success (business wise, not winning wise), Richards kept the tradition going and the owners who came after, followed.
I want the Thanksgiving game to stay in Detroit because it’s tradition. It adds to the festivities that is Thanksgiving. Watching the game and yelling at the T.V. with my family is what makes me enjoy the holiday even more. It adds to the family bonding time. Taking the Lions away on Thanksgiving is equivalent to taking away the turkey in my opinion. The Lions have played every Thanksgiving since 1945 (they didn’t play 1939-1944 because of World War II), so why take it away now?
Another reason why the Lions should continue playing on Thanksgiving is because of the media attention they get. Like I said before, it’s no secret the Lions have a bad reputation when it comes to winning. Therefore, they don’t get too many primetime games throughout the season. It’s not like other fan bases are familiar with what the Lions have going on because they don’t show Lions games in other regions. Thanksgiving is the one time a year other fan bases get to see what us Lions fans go through. It even does the NFL good business. According to Nielsen, the Lions had 27.09 million viewers for the 2021 Thanksgiving game, the most since 2016 which had 27.61 million viewers. Considering millions of people tune in to watch the Lions, it would only make sense to leave things the way they are. It’s a win for the NFL as ratings lead to revenue and the Lions get exposure.
Lions fans need the Thanksgiving game to keep our sanity together. The game is almost our version of the Super Bowl. Of course, the Lions have never been to the Super Bowl. Detroit brings such an enthusiasm on game day that it’s probably the closest Lions fans will get to a Super Bowl atmosphere. Everyone in America is watching, just like the Super Bowl. Also, the stadium is sold out, just like the Super Bowl. The Turkey Day game is a huge deal to Detroit and the Lions faithful.
I know everyone is not a football fan, and definitely not a Lions fan. What people need to consider is that Lions fans have gone through so much. It’s nice to have that one game a year that it feels like all eyes are on you, and it’s a big party in the Motor City. The tradition shouldn’t go anywhere. I will always enjoy the Thanksgiving game. I really enjoy when the Lions win because there is no celebration like it.
