If you’re headed to Thursday’s Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers game at Ford Field, you can expect some extra special food offerings marking the Thanksgiving holiday.
And, as in previous years, fans at the game will have the option of noshing on traditional Thanksgiving fare.
The chefs at Levy, Ford Field’s food and beverage partner, will be busy cooking up a host of holiday bites for the Lions annual Thanksgiving Day game. At Thursdays Thanksgiving Day game, according to Levy, they expect 850 team members on hand.
Fans expect the Ford Field staple offering of a turkey leg dripping with cranberry barbecue sauce. There will also be turkey sandwiches with gouda cheese and cranberry aioli. And loads of stuffing and other side dishes.
Along with regular offerings, there will be food and drink nods to the Green Bay Packers, including loaded fries topped with brats and the Lambeau Leap drink with whiskey, apple pucker and pineapple juice served with an apple and cheese skewer.
You will find the Thanksgiving offerings spread out over numerous concession areas, according to Ford Field officials.
Before the game starts, Ford Fields “Power Hour” presented by Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, when special pricing on select food, beer and cocktails are offered, will begin at 10 a.m., a half-hour earlier than normal.
For nearly a century, the Detroit Lions have been a staple of Thanksgiving Day festivities across America. Their annual Turkey Day game is woven into the fabric of the holiday, as integral as carving the bird and falling asleep on the couch after stuffing yourself.
In this article, we’ll explore the Lions’ long and illustrious history on Thanksgiving, their ups and downs over the years, and the special traditions that have developed around their participation in this beloved national holiday. Whether you’re a diehard Lions fan or just enjoy football alongside your turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie, you’ll find this background fascinating!
The Origins of the Lions’ Thanksgiving Tradition
The Lions have played on Thanksgiving Day every year since 1934 minus a hiatus during World War II. This cherished custom began when the team moved from Portsmouth Ohio to Detroit in 1934 under new owner G.A. Richards. He wanted to garner interest and support for the struggling franchise in their new city, so he scheduled a Thanksgiving game against the division rival Chicago Bears.
While the Lions lost that inaugural match-up 26-7 in front of 26,000 fans, the tradition took hold and quickly became cemented as a cornerstone of both the holiday and the franchise. This first Thanksgiving game also marked the first nationally broadcast NFL contest, aired on over 90 radio stations across the country.
Early Thanksgiving Dominance and Barry Sanders Magic
After losing their first few Turkey Day tilts, the Lions soon became competitive, ratting off a 6-game winning streak in the dominant 1950s. Led by quarterback Bobby Layne, those Lions teams won three NFL championships, establishing the franchise as one of the league’s elite.
Later Thanksgiving highlights include Barry Sanders’ peerless 167-yard, 3 touchdown performance against Chicago in 1997 His trademark elusiveness and explosiveness were on full display that day
Surviving Turkey Day Losing Streaks
While the Lions boasted some strong Thanksgiving showings over the decades, enduring losing stretches tested their fans’ fortitude. From 2004-2012, Detroit suffered through a miserable 9-game skid on the holiday, spanning several coaches and dreadful 0-16 season.
Long-suffering fans have also endured a more recent 6-game slide from 2016 to 2021 But the Lions enter 2022’s festivities with renewed optimism under head coach Dan Campbell, looking to feast on the visiting Buffalo Bills.
Infamous Thanksgiving Moments
Beyond the wins and losses, several infamous incidents have occurred on unfortunate Turkey Days for the Lions:
-
In 1998’s overtime coin toss debacle, Jerome Bettis incorrectly called “heads” when he meant “tails.” The referee awarded possession to Detroit, who won on a field goal.
-
Ndamukong Suh’s dirty play in 2011 saw him ejected for stomping on a Green Bay player’s arm in a blowout loss.
-
Jim Schwartz’s flag fiasco in 2012 incorrectly nullified a Houston TD, allowing the Texans to complete a last-second comeback.
Annual Thanksgiving Charity Initiatives
Despite on-field disappointments, the Lions organization upholds the holiday spirit through meaningful community engagement. Recently they’ve partnered with Kroger and Gleaners Food Bank to assemble and donate Thanksgiving meal kits to Detroit families in need.
Players have also spearheaded turkey giveaways, provided holiday gift cards, and participated in the Salvation Army’s kettle campaign. Seeing Lions past and present give back inspires gratitude and unity during the season of giving.
Turkey Day Pageantry at Ford Field
While the action on the gridiron determines the game’s outcome, the pomp and circumstance surrounding the Lions’ Thanksgiving contest make it a true Detroit holiday staple.
-
The halftime Thanksgiving spectacle dazzles fans with a giant turkey float, vibrant costumes, and lively marching bands.
-
Since 2018, the Lions have hosted an annual Thanksgiving Meal Blessing wherein local community members share what they are thankful for.
-
The club puts on a lively Thanksgiving Tailgate outside the stadium featuring a Ferris wheel, local eateries, and live music for an early holiday party.
By the Numbers: The Lions’ Thanksgiving Records
-
Overall Thanksgiving Day Record: 37-43-2
-
Record Against Chicago: 9-5
-
Record Against Minnesota: 9-6
-
Record Against Green Bay: 13-8-1
-
Longest Win Streak: 6 games (1950-1955)
-
Longest Losing Streak: 9 games (2004-2012)
-
Most Points Scored: 55 vs Bears in 1997
-
Largest Margin of Victory: 45 vs Eagles in 2015
For better or worse, the Lions have become inextricably linked with Thanksgiving Day over the past 88 years. Their yearly Turkey Day game is as reliable as your annoying relative talking politics and falling asleep on the couch. Detroit fans are eager for their team to carve out some new Thanksgiving traditions and return the Lions to glory. Whichever direction the coming years take them, the Lions will forever be part of Thanksgiving lore.
Thanksgiving game day cocktails:
- Blazin’ Blake: Vanilla vodka, Fireball, Blake’s Apple Cider and served with a cider mill doughnut.
- Roarin’ Roary: Vodka, blue curacao and lemonade, garnished with a blue candy skewer and pop rocks.
- Lambeau Leap: Whiskey, apple pucker and pineapple juice served with an apple and cheese skewer.
Here’s a sample of Thanksgiving Day food at Ford Field:
- Turkey Leg with cornbread dressing and drizzled with cranberry barbecue sauce.
- Baked Cranberry Turkey Sandwich: Sliced roasted turkey, cranberry aioli, gouda cheese and leaf lettuce piled onto a brioche bun.
- Green Bay Loaded Fries topped with sliced brats, peppers and onions, crispy cheese curds and spicy brown mustard.
- Packers Dog: A juicy Polish sausage topped with tangy sauerkraut, spicy brown mustard and crispy potato sticks.
- Kielbasa Sausage Sandwich with seared sauerkraut and velvety beer cheese sauce layered onto a soft hoagie bun
- Family Reunion Eggroll is stuffed with collard greens, macaroni and cheese, smoked turkey, cornbread and yams. It’s served with a choice of cranberry sauce or hot sauce.
Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions | 2023 Week 12 Game Highlights
FAQ
Why do the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions always play on Thanksgiving?
What are the Lions wearing on Thanksgiving?
Are the Lions good on Thanksgiving?
What NFL team has never played on Thanksgiving Day?