After multiple years of losing records, many Detroit Lions fans are tired of defeat and have high expectations for Head Coach Dan Campbell. After multiple critical years of rebuilding and drafting the next generation of players, the Lions have an impressive 6-2 record heading into week 10. However, none of that matters to a Lions fan as much as a Thanksgiving Day win, especially against the Green Bay Packers.
This will be the 83rd Thanksgiving game for the Lions, currently holding a 37-43-2 record over the years. Some of the best Hall of Fame players have participated in this tradition. Some key names are 10-season running back Barry Sanders and nine-season wide receiver Calvin Johnson—both top five in their position all-time according to ESPN’s top 100 list.
“I have been watching the Lions on Thanksgiving day for 15 years,” South Football Coach Luke Davey said. “My earliest memory is when I had my 5th birthday and my Dad, Grandpa and I went to the game and saw Calvin Johnson play”.
However, today’s kids don’t get the joy of growing up around the greats like Calvin Johnson and Barry Sanders. Instead, a rising star named Amon-Ra St. Brown was drafted 112th overall in the 2021 draft and has taken young fans by storm.
“My favorite player has to be Amon-Ra St. Brown,” Will Scott ’26 said. “I love to watch him jump over a player or make a good block on a defender and continue to perform at that high of level every play.”
The Lions have an impressive 65 percent chance to beat the Packers on Thanksgiving this year according to ESPN. Despite the odds, the Packers have a talented young quarterback named Jordan Love who they drafted just a few years ago and who has a lot of potential. However, even without a Lions victory, Lions fans still enjoy watching them play.
“The best thing about Thanksgiving has to be the Lions game,” Andrew Pazuchowski ’25 said. “Without being able to go or even watch the game on Thanksgiving I wouldn’t look forward to Thanksgiving as much anymore.”
