Despite some early success, they couldn't survive in Portsmouth, the NFL's second smallest city, ahead of only Green Bay. The team was purchased and relocated to Detroit for the 1934 season.

In 1958, the Lions traded future Hall of Fame QB Bobby Layne to the Pittsburgh Steelers. According to legend, Layne responded to the trade by saying the Lions would "not win for 50 years". Over the next half-century, the Lions accumulated the worst winning percentage of any NFL team. In 2008, the last year of the curse, the Lions became the first team to lose all 16 regular season games.

Johnson had a rare combination of size (6 ft 5 in and 239 lbs), catching ability, speed (40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds), strength, leaping ability, and body control.

Gaye bulked up nearly 30 pounds and trained with future Hall of Fame receiver Charlie Sanders while preparing for his tryout. He didn't make the cut but remained close to several players who sang background vocals on his 1971 hit, "What's Going On".

The Spartans formed in 1928 when the team began importing players from defunct independent professional and semi-pro teams. The following year, Portsmouth residents agreed to fund the construction of a football stadium, and the National Football League offered the city a franchise in July 1930.

On September 15, 1940, the Lions held the Chicago Cardinals to just 14 yards of total offense. Unfortunately, the Lions only had 16 yards of total offense themselves. Not surprisingly, the game ended in a 0-0 tie.

At the end of the 1932 season, the Lions (then Spartans) were tied for first place in the league with the Chicago Bears. That prompted what in retrospect became known as the first NFL playoff game. Blizzard conditions in Chicago meant the game was moved from Wrigley Field's outdoor field to the indoor field at Chicago Stadium, which allowed for only an 80-yard field. The Bears won 9-0.

A Pro Bowl invitee in each of his ten NFL seasons and two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Sanders led the league in rushing yards four times and established himself as one of the most elusive runners in pro football history with his quickness and agility.

First round draft pick Calvin Johnson only recorded three tackles during his rookie season, but he gets a pass since he plays on offense.

Sometimes called the "Flying Dutchman", Dutch Clark was named by the United Press as the best player in the NFL in both 1935 and 1936, led the Lions to the 1935 NFL championship, and led the NFL in total offense in 1934 and scoring in 1932, 1935, and 1936. In his final two seasons with the Lions, he also served as the team's head coach.