NFL Team Guide
Detroit Lions: History, Super Bowls & Facts
The Detroit Lions joined the NFL in 1930 as the Portsmouth Spartans and moved to Detroit in 1934. They won four NFL championships, in 1935, 1952, 1953 and 1957.
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Updated live from ESPN.
Quick facts
| Founded | 1930 in Portsmouth, Ohio, as the Spartans; Detroit since 1934 |
|---|---|
| NFL championships | 4 (1935, 1952, 1953, 1957) |
| Stadium | Ford Field, Detroit (since 2002); Pontiac Silverdome (1975–2001) |
| Thanksgiving | Home game every Thanksgiving since 1934, except 1939–1944 |
| Super Bowl appearances | None through the 2025 season |
Championship history
Detroit won four NFL titles before the Super Bowl era. Through the 2025 season the Lions had not played in a Super Bowl.
- 1935 NFL Championship: beat the New York Giants 26–7
- 1952 NFL Championship: beat the Cleveland Browns 17–7
- 1953 NFL Championship: beat the Cleveland Browns 17–16
- 1957 NFL Championship: beat the Cleveland Browns 59–14
- Reached the NFC Championship Game after the 1991 and 2023 seasons
Franchise history
- 1930: Joined the NFL as the Portsmouth Spartans.
- 1934: Moved to Detroit, became the Lions and began the Thanksgiving Day game tradition.
- 1957: Won the NFL title with a 59–14 rout of Cleveland.
- 1991: Beat Dallas 38–6 for the franchise's first playoff win since 1957.
- 2002: Opened Ford Field in downtown Detroit.
- 2008: Went 0–16, the first winless 16-game season in NFL history.
- 2024: Went 15–2, a franchise record, and earned the NFC's No. 1 seed for the first time.
Franchise record holders
| Rushing yards | Barry Sanders, 15,269 |
|---|---|
| Receiving yards | Calvin Johnson, 11,619 |
| Points | Jason Hanson, 2,150 |
Retired numbers
- 7Dutch Clark
- 20Lem Barney, Billy Sims and Barry Sanders
- 22Bobby Layne
- 37Doak Walker
- 56Joe Schmidt
- 85Chuck Hughes
Hall of Famers
Dutch Clark, Alex Wojciechowicz, Bobby Layne, Doak Walker, Jack Christiansen, Lou Creekmur, Dick Stanfel, Yale Lary, Joe Schmidt, Alex Karras, Dick LeBeau, Lem Barney, Charlie Sanders, Barry Sanders, Calvin Johnson.
Biggest rivalries
- Green Bay Packers: longtime division rivals in the NFL West, NFC Central and NFC North.
- Chicago Bears: longtime division rivals and a frequent Thanksgiving opponent.
- Cleveland Browns: Detroit's opponent in four NFL Championship Games in the 1950s; the Lions won in 1952, 1953 and 1957, and Cleveland won in 1954.
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How many NFL championships have the Lions won?
Four: 1935, 1952, 1953 and 1957.
Have the Lions ever played in a Super Bowl?
No. Through the 2025 season the Lions had not reached a Super Bowl. They lost the NFC Championship Game after the 1991 and 2023 seasons.
Why do the Lions play on Thanksgiving?
Owner George A. Richards scheduled a Thanksgiving game in 1934 and arranged a national radio broadcast. Detroit has hosted a game every Thanksgiving since, except 1939–1944.
Who wore the retired No. 20?
Three players: Lem Barney, Billy Sims and Barry Sanders.
Where did the Lions start?
In Portsmouth, Ohio, as the Spartans. The team moved to Detroit in 1934.
Sources
Facts checked September 23, 2026. Live figures above come from ESPN.