This week the Denver Broncos travel to Detroit to play the Lions in beautiful new Ford Field.
I was fortunate to have been able to work the Super Bowl for the NFL when it was played in Detroit, so I am very familiar with the Lions’ new stadium. A spectacular edifice, both functional and attractive.
Of course, everyone knows that Detroit has bounced back in a big way this year, coming into this game with a 5-2 record, but there are still a few fun facts about this franchise that most do not know.
The team actually began play in Portsmouth, Ohio, moving to Detroit in 1934, and it was then that the team settled on Lions as the nickname — not only a classic team name, but one that played off of the baseball Tigers theme as well.
Detroit actually had had earlier pro teams in the fledging NFL, with those clubs known as the Heralds, the Panthers, and the Wolverines.
I have long been partial to the Lions uniform, and especially to the color combination that features Honolulu Blue as the main part of the scheme.
They had silver as part of the combination as far back as 1937, and that blue and silver spawned the Dallas Cowboys color combination, among many others.
The Lions added a black alternate jersey in 2005, but that was not actually new for the Detroit team — the Lions had a second uniform, all black, back in 1948.
The point of all this is just that we see them, we watch them, but usually we don’t know them.
A discussion of the greatest Detroit players of all time can’t be made without including three members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame who have Colorado connections.
Jack Christiansen was a Lion from 1951-58, but played his college football at Colorado A & M, now Colorado State University.
Earl “Dutch” Clark played for the Lions from 1931-32 and 1934-38 after being one of the nation’s greatest collegiate players at Colorado College.
And one of pro football’s greatest running backs ever was the consensus three-time All-American from Southern Methodist, Doak Walker, who played for the Lions from 1950-55, but later became a special assignments coach for the Broncos in 1966, before retiring to the Colorado mountains.
Outside of our AFC West opponents with whom we are so familiar, the other teams often seem to be just a blur filling out television screens for three hours.
But everybody has a history.
The Broncos are playing Detroit for the tenth time, the sixth in Detroit — Denver is 3-2 in the Motor City.
Three of the previous five games took place on Thanksgiving Day, as the Broncos have been tabbed for the distinction of playing on that holiday ten times overall.
A long forgotten game between the two teams is actually a huge part of pro football history.
The first-ever meeting between the Broncos and Lions took place in a preseason game at the old University of Denver Stadium on August 5, 1967.
The Broncos won by a 13-7 score in what was the first victory ever for an American Football League team over a National Football League club, and even though it happened in preseason, it earned the Denver team national headlines for the first time in franchise history.
So momentous was the win that Denver Head Coach Lou Saban was carried off the field on the shoulders of jubilant fans and players alike.
The Broncos have come a long way since that preseason win 40 years ago, but this week the cycle of pro football life moves full circle from a rickety wooden park on the DU campus to the sterling palace that is Ford Field, with Bronco fans hoping the results are the same as in that very first meeting four decades ago.
Tags: Detroit Lions, Doak Walker, Jerseys, Lou Saban
broncos are still my number one team i love them forever
I like the pun
Broncos will always remain my #1 team — that’ll never change no matter what. Born with Orange & Blue blood, that’s how I’ll go. Even though the Lions are 5-2, we can dominate that game on their own turf and come home with a nice victory. I love my Broncos!!
GO BRONCOS!!!!
Listen here broncos #1
Man..im going to this game on sunday..i was born in Denver and a broncos fan, but my family is from detroit and spent most of my life as a lions fan..of course the Broncos are my #1 team, i cant help but smile to see the lions off to this fast start as well..chances are i will wear my broncos jersey to the game, but it will be the first time ive ever rooted against the lions…lets turn this around Broncos!
Jim,
Interesting stuff as always. I’ll see you in Detroit along with my brother and Adam’s father-in-law. Cindy and I were at the Monday night game. Hopefully, this will be the beginning of more aggressive play , more consistent touchdowns, and a big (much needed) WIN! I hope to run in to you.
Miles Newman
VAN IR A DAR LASTIMA DETROIT. BOOOO!
[...] full story here [...]
Thanks, Jim. While the Broncos are far and away my favorite team, I love the Lions as well. Hopefully, the Broncos win anyway, though. We need this win badly. Nevertheless, Honolulu blue is the coolest color of all time and the Lions look cooler than anyone in the league consequently. At least no one can take that away from Jon Kitna and his courageous teammates when we smack them in the D!!!
Jim,
Thanks for this blog. While I love my Broncos dearly and hope that they smack the Lions, I’ve been a closet Lions fan for years. This is primarily because of their magnificent color scheme of Honolulu blue and silver. I would not have a problem if they are successful after we beat them and we meet again in the Super Bowl. Like you, “no lion” Detroit is a good sports town and we should have a classic battle with them, but of course, Jon Kitna and his courageous friends will prove to be no match for us this weekend. Go BRONCS!!!
Lions beware of a injured Bronco This might be the week we break out as
long as we stay away from the holding penalties and push offs
It’s time for Champ & Dre to man up!!!
I love the not Lion interesting facts but you still have to root for the only team and thats the BBBBRRRROOONNCCOOSS!
Why do the sportscasters have such bias against Denver?
thunder, I think its because of the way the team is playing this year and the way we ended last year. We should have been 7-0 right now so thats why the media acts that way. I believe anyways.
The whole team needs to man up and play some ball. They get paid a ton of $$ to play so they should play good or be replaced.. we have been rebuilding since elway and davis left, isn’t it time to say thats enough??
We should have won the big again by now.. Lets go and get it next year..
See ya
I do not think we win tomorrow in Detroit; We are not defensive (thanks to Bates and Shanahan). 2007 is over, thanks to decisions by Shanahan. I am angry and sad at the same time, there is nothing offensive, Cutler
It is very novice. I think the worst madness Shanahan was changed to Plummer. Bring to another head coach we need
sam bronco you are an idiot.
you are no bronco fan
SHANAHAN’S ERA IS OVER , 2007 IS OVER, TRADE A NEW HEAD COACH.
The conclusion to our season is aproaching and our chances to make a statement is fading fast. The lack of good play calling on offense and defense, plus the execution from the players is the main reason we are losing. I can remember that just 2 games ago we saw a glimpse of what our team can do. We blitzed Pittsburgh like crazy in the first half and came away with turnovers and points. But then got conservative in the second half. You can’t win just nursing a small lead and cruise the rest of the way. Take notes from the Patriots, you think they would let up after they gain a lead. Get It Together Broncos!!!! Play like there is no tomorrow.
This Bronco’s team has talent, this team has good coaches but what this team is lacking is something the Colts, Patriots have found and the mighty Broncos used to have. IDENTITY. We have had no consistent identity since the Super Bowl years. We have no Mile high magic. In my opinion the fault lands on a lot of different shoulders. Shanahan, Bates, Heimerdinger you’re the bosses, you all don’t play the games but it is hard to believe the lack of discipline and execution that has been displayed the last 8 games does not start with you. The lack of execution on and off the field is alarming. How can the special teams get on the field in less than ten seconds for a game winning field goal but our offense and defense both look like they are lost and out sink on every other play. Also we look slower than the rest of the NFL, Maybe its time for some good old fashion 300’s. And don’t think we aren’t at fault either we as fans also need to take some responsibility. People used to fear coming to Denver. At one time Denver had one of the longest home winning streaks in NFL history and that was because we made it difficult for opposing offenses to hear the cadence and audibles which gave our defense a huge advantage at home. We were so used to seeing 7 or 8 wins at home we got spoiled and now that our teams is struggling we have to get behind them and get that MILE HIGH MAGIC BACK. Every real Bronco fan can still feel the magic of that first Super Bowl win. And I am sorry but when we were mediocre before those wins Bronco fans supported the Broncos no matter what. And the last home game I witnessed I was embarrassed that Coors field was louder than Mile High Stadium. We fans pay a lot of hard earned money supporting our beloved Denver Broncos. I will be there supporting my Broncos through thick and thin. BUT THE BRONCOS PLAYERS NEED TO PLAY LIKE YOU LOVE IT CAUSE YOUR LIVING A DREAM. Fans get behind players that are electric and enthusiastic and as a fan when I see you all making filthy amounts of money. And you can’t even get excited about your job go play for the Raiders( Sorry Raider fans). Get off my Broncos team. So Mike if you are the boss get your team on the same page and start executing your game plans like we all know you can. We are one of the most winning franchises in the NFL lets keep the tradition going.
I don’t see eye to eye here.. I think we need all new team, new staff, coach. Not one player left it all on the feild. I am soooo upset with this team and I will not go to anymore games, buy any more stuff this year..
Its totally Over over over… Lets stop rebiulding and start wining.. its been 8 yrs now.. so sad.. We now we are a joke if the raiders have a chance to pass us in the standings..
lets think draft pick 08, dump this year and lets just play all our backups and get them ready to fill in for the wimps next year..
anonymous,
you are the idiot not Sam.. you are the one missing some matter upstairs..does the air make a funny sound when it blows threw your ears??
This is the end of our team as we know it>> i don’t even know if its possable to ever get back the magic?? If we pull out one more win this year then I will pass out… what a joke this year has been and everyone of us as fans need to take a stand and say thats all we are willing to stand for.. The whole team needs to be traded and start over
Stop goi9ng to home games and stop buying stuff so that way the owner will feel the pain we are feeling..
Its time as fans to stand up and get our voices heard..
Come on, Bronco’s! Nobody is asking you to fight in Iraq or Afghanistan. All we are asking is for you to go out on Sunday’s, have fun, and do what you are paid to do. You didn’t get to the pro’s by doing what you have been doing this season. Go make a play! Yes, we are banged up, but that’s why we have 2nd and 3rd stringers. If you guy’s can’t step up and do your job’s, then cash in your chips and go sell life insurance. We had a tough offseason with the deaths of DWill and DNash. THAT’S SACRAFICE! Your outlook on life and football should be in plain view.Their families aren’t getting and consolation with what you’re doing on the field! Use them as your motivation. Go out next Sunday and show your families, fans and the rest of the football world what you are made of!! And Remember, You’re only ONE GAME out of first place!
If we lose at KC then you have to know its over!!! I know the playoffs are not in ther pic now but just the idea to to not be the last team out of 32