- MENU
- HOME
- SITE
- JOBS
- VIDEOS
- WORLD
- MAIN
- AFRICA
- ASIA
- BALKANS
- EUROPE
- LATIN AMERICA
- MIDDLE EAST
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Benelux
- Brazil
- Canada
- China
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- India
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Korea
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Poland
- Russia
- South Africa
- Spain
- Taiwan
- Turkey
- USA
- BUSINESS
- WEALTH
- STOCKS
- TECH
- HEALTH
- LIFESTYLE
- ENTERTAINMENT
- SPORTS
- RSS
- iHaveNet.com: NFL Football
The NFL played its first Thanksgiving Day game in Detroit, beginning a tradition that continues today.
On November 29, 1934, the Lions played their first traditional Thanksgiving Day home game, losing to the Bears by a score of 19-16. This game was also the first NFL game to be broadcast nationally as NBC Radio aired the game on 94 stations across the country.
In 1934, George A. Richards bought the Portsmouth (Ohio) Spartans, moved the team to Detroit and renamed it the Lions.
Richards selected George "Potsy" Clark, known as one of the best all-around quarterbacks, as the Lions' first coach and the team featured players such as versatile running back Earl "Dutch" Clark, offensive lineman Frank Christiansen and quarterback Ace Gutowsky.
The Lions began their inaugural season with a 10-1 record. However, despite their success, they could never get more than 15,000 fans to come to the stadium. So Richards arranged the first Thanksgiving classic in hopes of increasing attendance at games. To help his cause, he planned the game to start following Detroit's annual Thanksgiving Day parade.
Richards also chose a compelling opponent, pitting his Lions against the defending champion Chicago Bears, whose president was the legendary George Halas. The Bears featured rookie running back Beattie Feathers, who during the 1934 season became the NFL's first 1,000-yard rusher. As an added draw, the Lions and Bears were competing to become the champion of the Western Division of the NFL.
Richards' trial balloon paid off and 26,000 fans were in attendance at University of Detroit Stadium on November 26. In addition, many more fans were able to follow the action as this game was the first NFL game to be broadcast nationally, airing on NBC Radio across the country with GRAHAM MC NAMEE and DON WILSON calling the action.
Receive our NFL News & Analysis by email by subscribing here
NFL Super Bowl History
NFL Super Bowl History, Scores, Summaries & Super Bowl MVP Articles
NFL Football History & Records ...
- The First Football Game Ever: Rutgers vs Princeton
- 1906: The Forward Pass is Legalized
- 1925: Red Grange Puts NFL on the Map
- The 1932 NFL Indoor Championship
- 1934: NFL's First Nationally Broadcast Game
- 1939: NFL's First Televised Game
- 1941: NFL Publishes First Record Manual
- 1946: NFL's Historic African-American Signings
- Opening Day 1947: A Record 87 Points
- 1956 Championship: The Game That Made The NFL
- 1958 NFL Championship: The Greatest NFL Game Ever Played
- 1967 NFL Championship: The 'Ice Bowl'
- 1971: The 'Longest Game'
- 1972 Dolphins: The Perfect Season
- 1972: The 'Immaculate Reception'
- 1978: The 'Holy Roller' Game - Chargers vs Raiders
- 1989: Art Shell Named NFL's First Black Head Coach
- Ernie Nevers: Most Rushing TDs & Points in Single Game
- Winning Traditions in the NFL
- The Value of Football
- Best Quarterback Performances Past & Present
- Steelers Super Bowls: Sixburgh Super Bowl NFL Record
- Super Bowl Game Changing Interceptions
More NFL Football History, News & Analysis ...
Article: Copyright ©, iHaveNet.com
NFL Football History: "1934: NFL's First Nationally Broadcast Game"