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RetroSeasons
RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
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Detroit Lions logo

Detroit Lions
History 1928-2021 (94 seasons)

  • Franchise Overview
  • Seasons
  • Team Stats
  • Franchise Leaders
  • Season Records
  • Draft Picks
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Teams Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions franchise was founded in Portsmouth, Ohio as the Portsmouth Spartans and joined the NFL on July 12, 1930. Amid financial struggles, the team was relocated to Detroit in 1934. The team was also renamed the Lions in reference to the city's Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise, the Tigers. The Lions won four NFL Championship Games between 1935 and 1957, all prior to the Super Bowl era. Since their 1957 championship, the team has won only a single playoff game in 1992 and never advanced beyond the NFC Championship Game. They are the oldest NFL team to not appear in the Super Bowl, as well as the only franchise operational for the entirety of the Super Bowl era and the only NFC team not to appear.
The Detroit Lions franchise was founded in Portsmouth, Ohio as the Portsmouth Spartans and joined the NFL on July 12, 1930. Amid financial struggles, the team was relocated to Detroit in 1934. The team was also renamed the Lions in reference to the city's Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise, the Tigers. The Lions won four NFL Championship Games between 1935 and 1957, all prior to the Super Bowl era. Since their 1957 championship, the team has won only a single playoff game in 1992 and never advanced beyond the NFC Championship Game. They are the oldest NFL team to not appear in the Super Bowl, as well as the only franchise operational for the entirety of the Super Bowl era and the only NFC team not to appear.

Recap

The Detroit Lions franchise was founded in Portsmouth, Ohio as the Portsmouth Spartans and joined the NFL on July 12, 1930. Amid financial struggles, the team was relocated to Detroit in 1934. The team was also renamed the Lions in reference to the city's Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise, the Tigers.

The Lions won four NFL Championship Games between 1935 and 1957, all prior to the Super Bowl era. Since their 1957 championship, the team has won only a single playoff game in 1992 and never advanced beyond the NFC Championship Game. They are the oldest NFL team to not appear in the Super Bowl, as well as the only franchise operational for the entirety of the Super Bowl era and the only NFC team not to appear.

Close
1976 Detroit Lions
1928-2021 (94 seasons)

Detroit Lions Team History

All-time franchise record
583-695 (.456)
4 championships in 6 appearances

Franchise History

1934-2021
Detroit Lions (NFL)
1930-1933
Portsmouth Spartans (NFL)
1929
Portsmouth Spartans (indep)
1928
Portsmouth Spartans (indep.)

Top Seasons

Year Record Result
1957 8-4 Won NFL Championship
1954 9-2 Lost NFL Championship
1953 11-2 Won NFL Championship
1952 9-3 Won NFL Championship
1935 7-3 Won NFL Championship
View More Lions Seasons

Last 5 Seasons

Year Record Result
2021 3-13 Missed Playoffs
2020 5-11 Missed Playoffs
2019 3-12 Missed Playoffs
2018 6-10 Missed Playoffs
2017 9-7 Missed Playoffs
View All Lions Seasons

1st Round Draft Picks

Year Rd/Pick Player
2021 1 / 7 Penei Sewell OL
2020 1 / 3 Jeff Okudah CB
2019 1 / 8 T. J. Hockenson TE
2018 1 / 20 Frank Ragnow C
2017 1 / 21 Jarrad Davis LB
View All Lions Draft Picks

Longest Serving GM's

Tenure Years General Manager
1967-88 22 Russ Thomas
1989-00 12 Chuck Schmidt
1958-66 9 Edwin Anderson
2008-15 8 Martin Mayhew
1951-57 7 Nick Kerbawy
View All Lions General Managers

Team Owners

Tenure Years Owner
2020-21 2 Sheila Ford Hamp
2014-19 6 Martha Firestone Ford
1961-13 53 William Clay Ford Sr.
1948-60 13 Edwin Anderson
1948-60 13 Lyle Fife
1940-47 8 Fred Mandel
1934-39 6 George Richards
1932-33 2 Homer Selby
1928-31 4 City of Portsmouth, Ohio
View All Lions Owners

Related Content

Stories, Photos, Videos, Podcasts, and Publications featuring Detroit Lions History
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Detroit Lions Media Guidepublication
Detroit Lions Media Guide
98 issues 1928-2025
This media guide is a comprehensive resource created by the team to provide detailed information about its players, coaches, history,...
/ This media guide is a comprehensive resource created by the team to provide detailed information about its players, coaches, history, and season schedule. Released annually, it serves journalists, broadcasters, and fans by offering accurate profiles, statistics, and historical records. The guide enhances media coverage, fan engagement, and promotional efforts.
Tuffy Leemans Breaks Through Detroit Defense in 1936 All-Star Gamepublication
Tuffy Leemans Breaks Through Detroit Defense in 1936 All-Star Game
Page from publication Sep 1, 1948
Billed as "The illustrated digest of all sports". Monthly digest magazine that competed with Sports...
/ Billed as "The illustrated digest of all sports". Monthly digest magazine that competed with Sports Digest in covering stories in sports such as baseball, football, basketball, swimming, horse racing, boxing, tennis, and golf.
1948: Bo McMillin Joins Detroit Lions Coaching Teampublication
1948: Bo McMillin Joins Detroit Lions Coaching Team
Page from publication Oct 1, 1948
Billed as "The illustrated digest of all sports". Monthly digest magazine that competed with Sports...
/ Billed as "The illustrated digest of all sports". Monthly digest magazine that competed with Sports Digest in covering stories in sports such as baseball, football, basketball, swimming, horse racing, boxing, tennis, and golf.
Bobby Layne: Detroit Lions QB in 1949 Football Magazine Advertisementpublication
Bobby Layne: Detroit Lions QB in 1949 Football Magazine Advertisement
Page from publication 1949
Billed as "The illustrated digest of all sports". Monthly digest magazine that competed with Sports...
/ Billed as "The illustrated digest of all sports". Monthly digest magazine that competed with Sports Digest in covering stories in sports such as baseball, football, basketball, swimming, horse racing, boxing, tennis, and golf.
Frank Tripucka: Notable Quarterback for Notre Dame, 1949 Photopublication
Frank Tripucka: Notable Quarterback for Notre Dame, 1949 Photo
Page from publication 1949
Billed as "The illustrated digest of all sports". Monthly digest magazine that competed with Sports...
/ Billed as "The illustrated digest of all sports". Monthly digest magazine that competed with Sports Digest in covering stories in sports such as baseball, football, basketball, swimming, horse racing, boxing, tennis, and golf.
1967 Detroit Lions Football Play Chart: Tackle Loops and Patternspublication
1967 Detroit Lions Football Play Chart: Tackle Loops and Patterns
Page from publication 1967
...
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1967 Detroit Lions Key Players: NFL Roster Insights and Profilespublication
1967 Detroit Lions Key Players: NFL Roster Insights and Profiles
Page from publication 1967
...
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1967 Detroit Lions Key Players: Roster Highlights and Statspublication
1967 Detroit Lions Key Players: Roster Highlights and Stats
Page from publication 1967
...
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1967 Detroit Lions NFL Team Action in Game Against 49erspublication
1967 Detroit Lions NFL Team Action in Game Against 49ers
Page from publication 1967
...
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1967 Detroit Lions Player Depth Chart for NFL Football Teampublication
1967 Detroit Lions Player Depth Chart for NFL Football Team
Page from publication 1967
...
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1970 Detroit Lions: Sanders and Flanagan Blocking for Nick Eddypublication
1970 Detroit Lions: Sanders and Flanagan Blocking for Nick Eddy
Page from publication 1970
The official NFL guide, published under several different titles over the years....
/ The official NFL guide, published under several different titles over the years.

Lions History

  • Franchise Overview
  • Seasons
  • Team Stats
  • Franchise Leaders
  • Season Records
  • Draft Picks
  • Head Coaches
  • General Managers
  • Owners
  • Stadium History
  • Logo History
  • Audio & Video Clips
  • Articles & Photos
  • Links Website
    Wikipedia
    Twitter
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