Detroit Lions Team Information
- Division: NFC North
- Year Founded: 1929
- WebSite: DetroitLions.com
- Twitter: @Lions
- Instagram: @DetroitLionsNFL
- TikTok: detroitlions
- Facebook: DetroitLions
Stadium: Ford Field (Detroit, Michigan)
Colors: Honolulu Blue and Silver
Mascot: Roary the Lion
Notable Players: Barry Sanders (running back), Calvin Johnson (wide receiver), Matthew Stafford (quarterback)
No. 1 Passing Leader in Detroit Lions History: Matthew Stafford (45,109 yards)
No. 1 Rushing Leader in Detroit Lions History: Barry Sanders (15,269 yards)
No. 1 Receiving Leader in Detroit Lions History: Calvin Johnson (11,619 yards)
No. 1 Scoring Leader in Detroit Lions History: Jason Hanson (2,150 points)
No. 1 AV Leader in Detroit Lions History: Barry Sanders (149) (AV stands for Approximate Value, a metric for a player’s overall contribution)
Winningest Coach: Wayne Fontes (66 wins)
Detroit Lions Super Bowl Wins
- None
Detroit Lions: History and a Roaring Legacy
The Detroit Lions are a storied professional American football team in the NFL’s NFC North Division. Here’s a quick look at their history and key details:
Origins (1930-1933)
– Founded in 1930 as the Portsmouth (Ohio) Spartans, one of the NFL’s first franchises.
– Faced financial struggles in their early years
Motor City Move and Early Success (1934-1950s)
– In 1934, the team moved to Detroit and became the Lions, mirroring the city’s baseball team, the Detroit Tigers.
– The Lions’ golden era was in the 1950s, winning four NFL Championships (1935, 1952, 1953, and 1957).
Later Years and Recent Developments (1960s-Present)
– Since the late 1950s, the Lions haven’t matched their earlier championship success.
– Reached the NFC Championship game in 1991 and won the NFC North division title in 2023.
– Known for their passionate fanbase and the annual Thanksgiving Day tradition, which started in 1934.
Why did the Detroit Lions move to Detroit?
The Detroit Lions moved to Detroit in 1934 mainly due to financial struggles. The team, originally called the Portsmouth (Ohio) Spartans, faced financial difficulties in their early years as part of the NFL.
How much did the Fords buy the Lions for?
William Clay Ford Sr., a grandson of Henry Ford, gradually acquired control of the Detroit Lions, becoming a minority owner and team president in 1961, and buying out the remaining shareholders for $4.5 million in 1963 (equivalent to $44.8 million today). Through these strategic moves, he became the principal owner.
Who owns the Detroit Lions NFL team?
Currently, the Detroit Lions NFL team is owned by Sheila Ford Hamp, who took over ownership from her mother, Martha Firestone Ford, in 2020. The team has been in the Ford family since William Clay Ford Sr. purchased it in 1963.
What is the Detroit Lions franchise worth today?
According to a report by Forbes, the Detroit Lions franchise is worth $3.6 billion today.
Why is Detroit team called Lions?
There are two reasons Detroit called lions, here they are:
The first reason is to establish a connection with Detroit’s successful baseball team, the Detroit Tigers, and second is to symbolize strength and dominance, as the lion is often seen as the “king of the jungle.”