• The Detroit Lions are a professional football team that plays in the NFC North division of the National Football League.

  On the evening of April 24, 2009, the Lions reached a contract agreement with quarterback Matthew Stafford. The Lions selected Stafford as the first overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft. Stafford's $72 million, six-year contract with $41.7 million guaranteed, is the highest-paying contract given to a draft prospect in NFL history.ESPN.com: Sources: Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions Agree to $41.7m, Six-year Deal

• 1. Inaugural season: 1930
  2. Super Bowl wins: 0
  3. NFC titles: 0
  4. Pre-1966 NFL titles: Four (last in 1957)
  5. Home: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
  6. Hosted a Thanksgiving Day game each year since 1944Pro Football Hall of Fame: Detroit Lions
  7. Owner: William Clay Ford, Sr.
  8. Coach: Jim Schwartz
  9. General manager: Martin Mayhew

• New Logo

  After finishing the NFL's first-ever 0-16 season in 2008, the team looked to start fresh in 2009 by unveiling a new logo and new uniforms on April 20, 2009. According to Lions President Tom Lewand, the new logo features a tougher attitude, which the team hopes to take to the field.MLive.com: Photo Gallery: Lions Unveil New Logo and Uniforms

• Corey Smith

  On March 21, 2009, the Lions announced they would retire Corey Smith's #93 jersey for the 2009 season. Smith, along with Oakland Raiders player Marquis Cooper and another man, was lost at sea following a February 28, 2009, fishing trip.ESPN.com: Lions to Retire Smith's No. 93 in '09

• 2008 Season

  On December 28, 2008, the Lions fell to the Green Bay Packers to become the first 0-16 team in NFL history.ESPN: Lions first NFL team to finish 0-16 Prior to the game, rookie Gosder Cherilus stated the game is, "our Super Bowl" and "I think we're going to shock a lot of people with a great game. I feel like we're going to win. Not to take anything away from Green Bay, but we're a great football team. I know the record doesn't show it, but I'm going to say it."ESPN.com: Winless Detroit Lions: It's our Super Bowl (December 27, 2008)

  On January 15, 2009, the team announced that former Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz had agreed to a four-year contract to become the team's new head coach.CBSSports.com: Lions to Name Titans' Schwartz New Coach

• Brief History

  The Lions began in Portsmouth, Ohio, as the Portsmouth Spartans in 1930. In 1934, radio executive George A. Richards bought the Spartans and moved the team to Detroit. The Lions captured four championships prior to the introduction of the Super Bowl in 1967, but have not made it to a championship since. The team placed at the top of their division in 1983, 1991 and 1993, and played in, but lost, the NFC championship in 1991.Pro Football Hall of Fame: Detroit Lions

• Players and Alumni

  • Dan Orlovsky
  • Kevin Smith
  • Rudi Johnson
  • Calvin Johnson
  • Shaun McDonald
  • Bryant Johnson
  • Jon Kitna
  • Roy Williams
  • Jack Christiansen
  • Alonzo Spellman
  • Joe Schmidt
  • Barry Sanders
  • Lem Barney
  • Bobby Layne
  • Billy Sims
  • John Henry Johnson

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