The Detroit Lions: Team History

The Detroit Lions started out as the Portsmouth Spartans in 1929. They would be a major impact in the league from the start. They played an incredible game that went down in the history books as "the Iron Man game." It was played in 1932 against The Green Bay Packers reported by sportsecyclopedia. Portsmouth's coach Potsy Clark didn't make a single substitution the whole game. He felt the game was weakening so he set out to make an example. They ended up winning the game 19-0 said by CBSsports. They would make it to the championship game but fall to the Chicago Bears in an indoor game that had only 80 yards of field. Because of low revenue and support the team was sold to George Richards who renamed the team the Detroit Lions. Richards would use his radio station to promote the team and increase support. Through the 40's and 50's the Lions would win 4 championships in the NFL. Even through the 60's the Lions would have great success in their league.

Detroit's franchise created a stir in the media. There was a book and a movie made based around the franchise, even famous singer Marvin Gaye tried out for the team in 1970 but was let go in the pre-season. They would go on to have a terrible decade of football finishing with records around 2-14 and 1-15 researched by Jt-Sw. In this decade Detroit only made the playoff once. In came Barry Sanders in 1989. He was known for being a humble well-spoken guy. He wouldn't yell or get angry, but play the game and prove his talents with his on-field play. He quickly became the face of the Detroit Lions. After years of rebuilding the Lions would make the playoffs five out of seven the next seven times. Barry Sanders would be considered one of the greatest running backs of all-time being ranked with the likes of Jim Brown, and Walter Payton. At the end of the 1998 season Sanders retired in on of his best statistical years he's had. Post Sanders for the Lions would have a huge effect on the franchise. Detroit would enter another drought that has slowly progressed over the years but still hasn't met expectations of fans. The 2008 season will be the Lions 75th anniversary of professional football witch they will celebrate with throwback uniforms. They have also added running back Rudi Johnson to the roster and hopes he could at least maintain the hole left by legend Barry Sanders.