Rod Wood Makes Stance Clear Over Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day Game
INGLEWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 14: Detroit Lions President and CEO Rod Wood on the sidelines during pregame warmups before an NFL, American Football Herren, USA football game between the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium, December 14, 2025, in Inglewood, California. Photo by Tony Ding/Icon Sportswire NFL: DEC 14 Lions at Rams EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon46520251214002
INGLEWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 14: Detroit Lions President and CEO Rod Wood on the sidelines during pregame warmups before an NFL, American Football Herren, USA football game between the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium, December 14, 2025, in Inglewood, California. Photo by Tony Ding/Icon Sportswire NFL: DEC 14 Lions at Rams EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon46520251214002
Some traditions stay the same, and the Detroit Lions are keeping this one. Even as the NFL schedule changes, the Thanksgiving Day game in Detroit is not going anywhere. Rod Wood shared that stance during a Detroit Economic Club event.
Wood made it clear that the Thanksgiving game in Detroit is tied closely to the city, and fans show up for it every year.
“It’s uniquely Detroit. We have the parade, we have the game. It’s the only game on. It kind of kicks off the holiday season for the whole country,” Wood said via 97.1 The Ticket.
The Lions president was further asked about the rumors that the game would now be on a rotational basis. His reply was simple and to the point.
“There was a push a few years ago to try to take it away from us and take it away from Dallas and move it around. But that never got serious legs. I think now it would never be considered to be taken away from us.”
NFL, American Football Herren, USA 2024: Lions vs Texans NOV 10 November 10, 2024: A Detroit Lions helmet sits on the sideline during a game between the Detroit Lions and the Houston Texans in Houston, TX. ..Trask Smith/CSM Credit Image: Â Trask Smith/Cal Media EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20241110_zma_c04_580.jpg TraskxSmithx csmphotothree318448
NFL, American Football Herren, USA 2024: Lions vs Texans NOV 10 November 10, 2024: A Detroit Lions helmet sits on the sideline during a game between the Detroit Lions and the Houston Texans in Houston, TX. ..Trask Smith/CSM Credit Image: Â Trask Smith/Cal Media EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20241110_zma_c04_580.jpg TraskxSmithx csmphotothree318448
Detroit’s Thanksgiving game also draws a strong viewership (47.7 million viewers for the 2025 game). In recent years, it has been among the most-watched regular-season games, usually just behind the Dallas Cowboys’ late window matchup.
That’s where the tradition stands today, but in Detroit, it means more than just a game.
How Thanksgiving Games Have Played Out for the Lions Over the Years
The Detroit Lions’ Thanksgiving game began in 1934 when owner George A. Richards used the holiday to draw fans. The first game was played against the Chicago Bears. However, the game didn’t go their way as they lost 19-16.
It was broadcast on 94 NBC Blue Network stations. Since 1978, the Lions and Cowboys have hosted annually, with Detroit in the early slot.
The numbers show how this tradition has played out on the field. The Lions hold a 38-45-2 record on Thanksgiving, showing a mix of highs and lows over the years. They have had strong moments, including a 52-35 win over the Green Bay Packers in 1951 and a 45-3 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1983.
In 2025, the Lions faced Green Bay again on Thanksgiving. The two teams have now met 23 times on the holiday, with Detroit holding a 12-10-1 record.
The Lions’ Thanksgiving game continues to hold its place. It is built on history, strong matchups, and years of consistent presence on the NFL schedule.
Who do you think the Lions will face in this season’s Thanksgiving game?
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Written by
Anjali Thakur
Edited by
Zaid Quraishi