Pro Football HOF Thanksgiving Day Game Story
History Channel Video
History Channel Story
 
DETROIT (11/26/2015) -- It was 81 years ago on the campus of the University of Detroit that a tradition was born – a tradition known as the Detroit Lions hosting a Thanksgiving Day football game.
 
What started as an idea to just create excitement has turned into a yearly tradition, one that family and friends all across the United States take part in, watching football and sharing a holiday meal.
 
On November 29, 1934, the Detroit Lions hosted the Chicago Bears at the University of Detroit Stadium and a standing-room crowd of over 26,000 people attended the game.
 
The game showcased two of the best teams in football as the Lions came into the contest at 10-1, while the Bears were 11-0 and the winner would claim the Western Division title. Detroit was also led by the legendary Earl "Dutch" Clark on offense – who would later serve as head football coach and athletic director of the Titans from 1951-53.
 
Lions' owner G.A. Richards also had another plan that helped make the game a tradition in Detroit. He used his background in radio to convince NBC to air the game nationally on radio. The game ended up being broadcasted on nearly 100 stations across the country and with ratings sky high, Richards had all he needed to make sure Detroit would always host a Thanksgiving Day game.
 
Next time you visit campus, just remember how much history the University of Detroit Mercy has from academics to athletics, and when you are sitting down watching football today, just remember that first touchdown 81 years ago was right on Livernois and McNichols.