The Big 3 are in turmoil, the worst unemployment rates in the country, and the worst economy in the country. Michigan has had it rough for a while now. And to top everything off, their football team is 0-12 and is the laughing stock of the National Football League. But, I'm not going to talk about the team at all. My focus is on the fans of the NFL. I visited ESPN.com yesterday and was absolutely sickened by what the daily poll was for the day. The question read: Should the NFL take the annual Thanksgiving game away from the Lions? And the thing that made me even madder was that over 60% of people said yes. What makes it so wrong to see the Lions on Thanksgiving? Yes they are a bad team, I will give you that. But just to say they shouldn't be allowed to play is wrong. Here' a history lesson for all of you naysayers.
In 1934, George Richards, the Lions first owner, decided to take a risk and schedule the biggest game of the year for the team on a Thanksgiving day. When the day of the game arrived, the Detroit Lions (10-1) hosted the undefeated Chicago Bears (11-0). The risk paid off for Richards as 26,000 bought tickets to watch the game on the holiday. It has since been a tradition for Detroit.
So I ask, why take a tradition away from a team, city, fan base, and the NFL just because the team isn't good? And why until now do you want this change? The Thanksgiving game in Detroit has sold out every year since 1992. The team's record in that span? 94-167 (.563) and 0-5 in the playoffs in the same span. So just because they are 0-12 this year they deserve to get the boot? The bottom line is that NFL cannot take this tradition away from this city. It is the last thing they can hold on to and call their own. It was the 75th year of the Lions on Thanksgiving day this year, let's hope we see 76 next year.
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3 comments:
I think what your trying to say is that if they weren't so atrocious then fans wouldn't be asking for change. The bigger problem is the current ownership of the Lions are apathetic to the game and their fans. They have no desire to put a viable product out on the field. I mean come on Matt Millen as your GM? Why should we as fans be forced to watch substandard entertainment on Thanksgiving just for the sake of nostalgia. Ask yourself how many sucky teams don't get a Monday night game each year and why not?
The team's record in that span? 94-167 (.563) translates to winning only 36% of the time. Pathetic
LIONS = NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME VIEWING
My main point is that it doesn't matter whether or not the Lions are good or not. Lions football is synonymous with Thanksgiving. When you say Thanksgiving football, the first team that comes up in your mind is the Detroit Lions. If it had not been for the Lions, you would have NO football on this holiday.
The fans who are asking for this change are selfish and they have no respect for the history of these games. It shouldn't always be about the best teams of the time. You have to have a balance of the history and the present. Look at rivalries for example. The Broncos have owned the rivalry between them and the Raiders lately. Does that mean they should just cancel the whole rivalry because Oakland is o atrocious? No. They play for the history, the players, coaches, and fans, that preceded them. People need to start respecting the history of the game more.
Again, GREAT writing!! Please try to submit stories like this!! Also, you sold me on your submission and your reply!
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