Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions are a National Football League team based in Detroit, Michigan.

Founded: 1930

Formerly known as: Portsmouth Spartans, 1930-1933. Moved to Detroit prior to the 1934 season.

Home stadium: Ford Field[?], Detroit, Michigan

Uniform colors: Honolulu blue and silver

Helmet design: Silver helmet with a blue lion

League championships won: 1935, 1952, 1953, 1957

Franchise history

As the Portsmouth Spartans, this franchise played in the unofficial NFL championship game in 1932. The Spartans-Bears game was played because there was a dispute over which team had the better record at the close of the season. The resulting interest led to the establishment of Eastern and Western conferences and a regular championship game beginning in 1933.

Poor revenues led to the team's move from Portsmouth to Detroit in 1934. That season, Detroit hosted its first ever Thanksgiving Day game, a tradition continued to this day.

Under quarterback Dutch Clark[?], Detroit won its first NFL championship in 1935. Detroit enjoyed its greatest success in the 1950s, led by QB Bobby Layne[?].

Players of note

Football Hall of Famers:

• Dutch Clark[?]
• Bobby Layne[?]

Current stars:

Retired numbers:

Not to be forgotten:

• Barry Sanders

Detroit Lions official web site (http://www.detroitlions.com/)