Tomorrow's holiday is a time for thanks.
Thanks for all that we are blessed with each year. Thanks for good times with family and friends. Thanks for that great date you went on last week and the fact that you actually got a call back this time. Thanks for the delicious wings you ate at the sports bar last night. Finally, in our family a thanks for good football.
That being said, I have one question:
Why do we have to watch the Detroit Lions every year?
First of all, when is the last time the Lions were relevant to anything? They lost to the Redskins in the playoffs in 1999, and since then have not sniffed the month of January. After posting a 9-7 record the year after that, they have not been over .500. Furthermore, they are seriously looking at posting the first ever 0-16 season in the NFL's history.
Secondly, the NFL has implemented a "flex game" system. Why can't this be used for Thanksgiving?
Instead of seeing a relevant game like the Giants v. Redskins we have to watch the Titans beat the bejesus out of the poor Lions. No thanks, I'll be napping on the couch at that time.
Can't we punish the Lions for completely ruining their franchise over the last 10 years and take this game away. The Motor City saw the playoffs six times in the 90s. Then came Matt Millen and the "let's draft some wide receivers" strategy.
I can't believe that failed, everyone says you build a football team from the split-ends in.
The franchise is a joke and has been for years. So much so that when their QB actually shows confidence/hope and says they will win 10 games one year, he is buried like Jimmy Hoffa by the media.
How does the NFL respond? By putting them in one of the biggest football spotlights of the year, on national television during Thanksgiving dinner.
"Ladies and Gentlemen the NFL is proud to present the Detroit Lions." (The voice echoes over the loudspeaker and there are about seven fans clapping in the front row. It's RB Kevin Smith's family.)
Thank you NFL for this wonderful gift.
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about 1 month ago
True. I don't want to see their quest for 0-16 continue on the holiday and see washed-up Culpepper giving thanks to the other team in the form of INT's...no sir.
about 1 month ago
Take it from somebody in Detroit: the Lions are garbage and, not only do they not deserve Thanksgiving coverage, they do not deserve the loyalty of the best fan base in the country. These perennial losers have been stinking it up in front of packed stadiums for years, but no more. The Lions seem to have "plateaued" at their lowest level. Can it possibly get worse? Who knows with this comical franchise led by Blind Melon Chitlin himself, William Clay Ford. Please, America, accept this as an apology from the entire state of Michigan, and we hope you can keep your turkey down while watching.
about 1 month ago
I'll do my best Bob! The Lions' game airs at 10:30 MST in Utah so the game should be over by the time we crush our turkey.
about 1 month ago
I feel the country's pain, but as a lifelong Lions' fan (I've not missed a Lions' game in over 40 years - please have pity on me!), the Thanksgiving game is a huge tradition for me and I'd be lost without it (of course, if I got a life I might be O.K.!!).
Because of family, it's often tough to get to the game. However, the morning is filled with a huge breakfast while watching the Detroit parade and, when the parade finishes, the game begins and then ends just about the time that dinner is ready!
So, yes, it's sometimes tough to watch the Lions and it's even tougher to admit to others that I'm a huge Lions' fan. However, for whatever reason, the Lions often play well in nationally televised games (although I do not believe that tomorrow will be pretty!).
And, as Brad from Utah alluded, most of the country will just be finishing breakfast as the Lions' game is ending. If your own team were playing you'd have to get up earlier. So, the Lions are allowing the rest of the country to sleep in a little bit!
But, with a 0-11 season so far, coupled with the need to be home on Thanksgiving, the televised Lions' game is huge for me. Please don't take it away!!!!
about 1 month ago
Not only should the Thanksgiving games be rotated (athough it would be appropriate for the game to be hosted by the New England Patriots for obvious reasons instead), it must be humiliating to poor Lions fans having their miserable team showcased in front of the entire nation. Everyone has that game on during Thanksgiving. We all root for the Lions just to end the misery. Even though we all know there is no chance they are going to win on Thanksgiving.
about 1 month ago
I completely disagree. The thanksgiving day game is a tradition in Detroit. If the Lions were a great team, we'd never have this discussion. You don't take a tradition away just because a team is playing poorly.
Families in Michigan come together on thanksgiving and the Lions are part of their thanksgiving day routine.
Michigan/Ohio State being the last game of the year for each team is tradition in college football. Just like playing for the little brown jug against Minnesota is.
You would never think of altering those traditions because of poor play by either team.
I'll say this much, the day the NFL takes the Thanksgiving Day game away from Detroit, is the day I stop watching NFL football. I mean that.
Rotating? It does rotate! There are 3 thanksgiving Day games every year! Detroit and Dallas always play and the other 4 teams are always rotated! That's a bad argument.
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