A Basic History of the Detroit Lions Football Team

The Detroit Lions are a professional football team that plays in the National Football League. The Lions play in the North Division of the National Football Conference.

The franchise was founded in 1930 when the Portsmouth Spartans joined the National Football League. The team was based in Portsmouth, Ohio until 1933 when they moved to Detroit and became the Lions.

During the team's time in the National Football League prior to the AFL-NFL merger, they spent time playing in the Western Division, the National Conference, the Western Conference, and the Central Division.

In 1970, as a part of the merger, the Detroit Lions began playing in the NFC Central. In 2002, the Lions were moved into the NFC North as part of the NFL's division realignment.

The Detroit Lions have won four Division Championships in their history, winning the NFL West in 1935 and the NFC Central in 1983, 1991, and 1993. The Lions have also won four Conference Championships, winning the NFL National Conference in 1952 and the NFL Western Conference in 1953, 1954, and 1957.

The Detroit Lions won four NFL Championships in 1935, 1952, 1953, and 1957. The Lions have never played in a Super Bowl.

The franchise played in Universal Stadium during its time in Portsmouth. From 1934-1937, the Lions played at the University of Detroit Stadium. From 1935-1974, the Lions shared Tiger Stadium with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. In 1975, the Lions began playing in the Pontiac Silverdome where they played through the 2001 season. In 2002, the Detroit Lions moved to their current location, Ford Field.

Fifteen former players for the Detroit Lions are currently enshrined in the National Football Hall of Fame. Those fifteen players are Dutch Clark, Bill Dudley, Bobby Layne, Alex Wojciechowicz, Jack Christiansen, Joe Schmidt, Dick Lane, Yale Lary, Frank Gatski, Doak Walker, John Henry Johnson, Lem Barney, Lou Creekmur, Barry Sanders, and Charlie Sanders.

Six numbers have been retired by the Detroit Lions. The players whose jersey numbers have been retired are Dutch Clark - 7, Barry Sanders - 20, Bobby Layne - 22, Doak Walker - 37, Joe Schmidt - 56, and Chuck Hughes - 85. The number 20 was also worn by Billy Sims and Lem Barney during their careers with the Lions and many fans recognize the number being retired in honor of all three players.

The Detroit Lions are currently owned by William Clay Ford, Sr. The head coach of the Lions is Rod Marinelli, and the general manager is Matt Millen.

The official colors of the Detorit Lions are Honolulu blue, silver, and black. The mascot of the Lions is named Roary.