The Detroit Lions

Football Is Family is part of the https://sportshistorynetwork.com/ (Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear). Detroit Lions           If there is a team in the history of the NFL that has been beaten down more than the Detroit Lions, I haven’t found them yet.  The fan base of the Detroit Lions is one of the most dedicated and patient in all of sports- I give them all the credit in the world for being this way.           The Lions began play in 1928 as the Portsmouth Spartans of Portsmouth, OH.  In 2020, the Lions began their 91st season in the NFL, making them one of the oldest franchises in the NFL.  In 1934, George Richards bought the team for $8,000 and moved them to Detroit, renaming in them the Lions.  Also in 1934, the Lions started playing on Thanksgiving Day- a tradition that spans to this day.           The Lions have won NFL championships in 1935, 1952, 1953, and 1957.  They have also won their division 8 times, and have been to the playoffs 18 times. In the 1950’s the Lions signed quarterback Bobby Lane, who helped them win 3 championships.  In 1958 the Lions traded Lane, who, according to legend, cursed the team, saying they wouldn’t win a championship for 50 years.  In 2008, the year the curse would end, the Lions went 0-16.           In 1963, the Ford family bought controlling interest in the Lions for 4.5 million dollars.  Today, the Lions’ franchise is worth 2.1 billion dollars.          In 1989, the Lions drafted Barry Sanders 3rd overall.  All he would do is rush for 15,269 yards, making him 3rd overall in total yards rushing.           The Lions have an overall regular season record (as of 2020) of 567 wins, 681 loses, and 33 ties, with a