1930-1933 Portsmouth Spartans, 1934-present Detroit Lions

After three seasons in a small river town in Ohio, the Portsmouth Spartans relocated to Detroit in 1934 and became the Lions. Beginning that first season in the "Motor City" the team hosted a game on Thanksgiving, a tradition that has become synonymous with Detroit. The Lions' long history has been filled with dynamic personalities including 12 members of the franchise who were elected to the Hall of Fame.

First Draft Choice: Sid Wagner, G, Michigan State, 1936.

First Regular-Season Game as the Portsmouth Spartans: A 13-6 win over the Newark Tornadoes, 9/14/30.

First Regular-Season Game as the Detroit Lions: A 9-0 victory over the New York Giants, 9/23/34.

First Thanksgiving Day Game: A 19-16 loss to the Chicago Bears, 11/29/34.

First NFL Title: The Lions defeated the New York Giants 26-7 in the 1935 NFL Championship game, 12/15/35.

First All-League Selections: George Christensen and Dutch Clark, 1934.

First Player Elected to the Hall of Fame: QB Dutch Clark, charter member, 1963.

First to Rush 200 Yards in a Game: Barry Sanders, 220 yards vs. the Minnesota Vikings, 11/24/91.

First 2,000-Yard Rusher: Barry Sanders, 2,053 yards (1997).

First 1,000-Yard Rusher: Steve Owens, 1,035 yards (1971).

Longest Run From Scrimmage: 96 yards by Bob Hoernschemeyer vs. the New York Yanks, 11/23/50.

First 3,000-Yard Passer: Gary Danielson, 3,223 yards (1980).

Longest Passing Play: A 99-yard pass from Karl Sweetan to Pat Studstill vs. the Baltimore Colts, 10/16/66.

Most Career Rushing Yards: Barry Sanders, 15,269 yards (1989-98).

Most Career Passing Yards: Bobby Layne, 15,710 yards (1950-58).

Most Career Receptions: Herman Moore, 670 receptions (1991-2001).

All-Time Leading Scorer: Jason Hanson, 1,336 points (1992-2004).

Fewest Yards Allowed An Opponent: 14 yards vs. the Chicago Cardinals, 9/15/40.

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