Detroit Lions: Fun Facts, History, and Resources For Gameday
Fun Facts about Detroit Lions
Who is the head coach for the Detroit Lions?
Jim Schwartz
Who is the defensive coach for the Detroit Lions?
Gunther Cunningham
Who is the special teams coach for the Detroit Lions?
Danny Crossman
Who owns the Detroit Lions?
William Clay Ford, Sr.
How many Super Bowls have the Detroit Lions won?
None
Who is the mascot for the Detroit Lions?
Roary the Lion
What are the Detroit Lions team colors?
Honolulu Blue, Silver, Black, White
Who designed the Detroit Lions logo?
Cy Huston, while he did not design the team’s logo, was the first vice president and general manager of the team, and chose the color “Honolulu Blue” for the team’s logo and uniforms. The logo from 1970 until 2002 was a silhouetted lion mid-leap. In 2009, the team introduced their new logo, which is a lion with a mane and fangs.
Fun Facts about Detroit Lions stadium
What is the Detroit Lions stadium called?
Ford Field
How many seats are in Detroit Lions stadium?
65,000
What is the address of Detroit Lions stadium?
2000 Brush Street
Detroit, MI 48226
When was Detroit Lions stadium built?
1999-2002
History of the Detroit Lions
Where did Detroit Lions get their name and why are they called it?
George A. Richards, a businessman in the radio industry, purchased the Portsmouth Spartans in 1934 and moved the team to its permanent home in Detroit. He renamed them the Lions, because of the dominance of the animal in the jungle. He said he hoped to dominate the football league with his new team.
What players from the Detroit Lions are in the Football Hall Of Fame?
1963 (Year of Induction)
Earl (Dutch) Clark
1966
Larry Little
1967
Bobby Layne
1968
Alex Wojciehowicz
1970
Jack Christiansen
1973
Joe Schmidt
1974
Dick Lane
1979
Yale Lary
1986
Doak Walker
1992
Lem Barney
1996
Lou Creekmur
2004
Barry Sanders
What numbers have been retired by Detroit Lions?
7 Dutch Clark
22 Bobby Layne
37 Doak Walker
56 Joe Schmidt
85 Chuck Hughes
88 Charlie Sanders
Top 5 Players of all time for the Detroit Lions
1. Bobby Layne – Quarterback
Bobby Layne was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 1948 NFL Draft. He was the third overall pick. After signing on as a third string quarterback for the Bears for one year, Layne signed with the New York Bulldogs. He did not receive much playing time with his second team either, and in 1950 signed with the Detroit Lions. Shortly after he switched teams, Layne began to show what he was capable of. In 1952 and 1953, he led his team to NFL Championship victories (pre Super Bowl era) and in 1954, the team made it to the final game, but lost to the Cleveland Browns. Layne was a five-time Pro Bowler and was named to the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team. In 1967, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
175 Games Played
148 Games Started
80-51-4 QB Record
1814 Completed Passes
3700 Attempted Passes
26768 Yards Gained by Passing
196 Touchdowns Thrown
243 Interceptions Thrown
2. Barry Sanders – Running Back
Barry Sanders, like Bobby Lane, was the third pick in the first round of the NFL Draft. It was 1989, and the Detroit Lions claimed Sanders, the 1988 Heisman Trophy winner, as a rookie Running Back. He began playing in 1989 and remained with the team until his professional retirement from the sport in 1998. Sanders was a ten-time Pro Bowler, six-time First-Team All-Pro selection, four-time Second-Team All-Pro selection, NFL MVP and 1989 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He still holds a number of Detroit Lions team records, and in 2004, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
153 Games Played
151 Games Started
3062 Rushing Attempts
15269 Rushing Yards
99 Rushing Touchdowns
352 Receptions
2921 Receiving Yards
10 Receiving Touchdowns
3. Charlie Sanders – Tight End
Charlie Sanders was drafted during the third round of the 1968 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. He immediately became one of the team’s starting tight ends, and continued in that role until 1977, until he retired form professional football. During his time with the Lions, Sanders was a seven-time Pro Bowler, two-time First-Team All-Pro selection, one-time Second-Team All-Pro selection, three-time First-Team All-Conference selection and two-time Second-Team All-Conference selection. He was named to the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team and the NFL 75th Anniversary All Time Team. In 2007, Charlie Sanders was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
128 Games Played
336 Receptions
4817 Receiving Yards
31 Receiving Touchdowns
4. Joe Schmidt – Linebacker
Joe Schmidt was a career-long Detroit Lion, from the time he was drafted during the seventh round of the 1853 NFL Draft, until he retired as their coach in 1972. Although his number was low in the draft, he emerged as one of the best linebackers the team has ever seen. By the end of his playing career, he had been a ten-time Pro Bowler, eight-time First-Team All-Pro selection and two-time NFL Champion. He was named the Detroit Lions MVP four times, and was named to the NFL 1950s All Decade Team. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973 and his number, 56, was retired by the Lions.
155 Games Played
24 Defensive Interceptions
2 Interceptions Returned for Touchdowns
17 Fumble Recoveries
5. Dutch Clark – Quarterback
Dutch Clark originally playing for the Portsmouth Spartans, a team from Ohio after he attended Colorado College. He played for the Spartans from 1931 until 1932, left to coach in 1933, and retired to professional playing when the Spartans moved to Detroit in 1932 and became the Lions. It was then that he started making his mark as a dominant quarterback. Clark was a six-time All-Pro selection and was named to the NFL 1930s All-Decade Team. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963 and his number, 7, was retired by the Detroit Lions.
75 Games Played
49 Games Started
606 Rushing Attempts
2772 Rushing Yards
36 Rushing Touchdowns
28 Receptions
341 Receiving Yards
6 Receiving Touchdowns
Game Day and Travel Information
3 hotels around the stadium
Milner Hotel
1538 Centre Street
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 963-3950
Hilton Garden Inn Detroit Downtown
351 Gratiot Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 967-0900
Atheneum Suite Hotel
1000 Brush Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 962-2323
Best restaurants in the area
Elwood Bar and Grill
300 East Adams Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 962-2337
The Old Shillelagh
349 Monroe Street
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 964-0007
Detroit Beer Co
1529 Broadway Street
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 962-1529
Tailgating Rules
Eastern Market is the official home to Detroit Lions Tailgating. No matter if the Lions are winning or losing, tailgating in the Eastern Market is always a good time!
Location:
The Detroit Lions moved from the Pontiac Silverdome to Ford Field in downtown Detroit in 2002 and thousands of their most dedicated tailgaters came with them and made Eastern Market their tailgate tradition. As one of the safest and most vibrant districts in Detroit the Eastern Market is the perfect place to tailgate.
Features:
Eastern Market is the largest tailgating location closest to Ford Field and accommodates 750 spaces northeast of the stadium. The lots are a ten minute walk from Ford Field, and a shuttle runs every ten minutes. Tailgating attracts approximately 3000 Lions fans at each game.
Cost:
Tickets are $35 for cars/trucks & hot tubs; $125 for RVs; $155 Motor Coach tailgate parking and $10 for parking only. Several of the area restaurants such as Vivio’s Food & Spirits and Roma Café provide free shuttle service with purchases at their restaurants. Tailgate and parking lots open four hours prior to each game and close 2 hours after the game ends.
Shuttle:
Eastern Market now offers round trip shuttle service to all Detroit Lions Home Games. $5.00 round trip from Eastern Market to Ford Field. Shuttle service/wristbands can be purchased from all Eastern Market Payment Centers. All riders must have wristband on to use shuttle service.
Please note: The parking deck located on Riopelle between Division and Alfred is managed by the City of Detroit. For information on parking in the deck, please contact the Municipal Parking Department at (313) 967-1666.
If you have any questions please call (313) 833-9300.
Items NOT allowed in the stadium
- Aerosol cans (hair spray, mace, pepper spray, etc.
- Animals (except service animals to aid guests with disabilities)
- Backpacks, luggage, grocery and paper bags, duffle bags, large bags, large purses or large camera cases: 8 1/2” x 14” x 10” is maximum size for entry
- Balloons (air or helium)
- Balls (beach balls, footballs, baseballs, etc.)
- Banners
- Cameras with lenses longer than five inches long
- Coolers of any kind, including small soft pack coolers
- Decals, stickers, confetti or glitter
- Electronic equipment including laptop computers, video recorders, video cameras and tripods
- Fireworks
- Food, beverages or liquids (cans, bottles or boxes)
- Illegal substances
- Laser pointers
- Markers (permanent) and/or paint
- Noisemaking devices (bells, horns, kazoos, whistles, etc.)
- Objects that can be used as missiles or projectiles (sticks, bats, clubs, frisbees, etc.)
- Strollers and infant/car seats or carriers
- Umbrellas
- Weapons
Resources about the Detroit Lions
Ford Field
website
Detroit Lions Official Website
website
ESPN Detroit Lions
website
Sports Illustrated Detroit Lions
website
NFL.com Detroit Lions
website
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