Holiday a chance to begin tradition

It’s a time for traditions.
For centuries, families across the United States and Canada have started, or continued, traditions on Thanksgiving.
In almost eight decades, the Detroit Lions have been a part of Thanksgiving.
The Lions first played on turkey day back in 1934, and they played the Chicago Bears for five years. In 1939 and ’40, Detroit didn’t play on Thanksgiving — the honor was given to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles.
From 1941 until ’44, there were no games on the fourth Thursday of November because of World War II.
For the next six years, Detroit squared off against five different teams, and played the Bears twice during that span.
Starting in 1951, the Lions hosted the Green Bay Packers until 1963. After that, any team was a potential opponent.
But like the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole, the Lions remained a Thanksgiving staple.
Among many family traditions on the day on which we give thanks, watching the Lions play was always included in our plans.
It didn’t matter who was hosting — my parents’ house, my grandma and grandpa Frawley’s, my great aunt and uncle Giffin or my brother John and his wife Katie.
At noon, the television was always turned on and tuned in to the Lions game.
There have been some memorable games on turkey day. Earliest one I can remember was from 1998, when Detroit knocked off the Pittsburgh Steelers in overtime, 19-17. That was the debacle over the coin flip to start overtime.
Eventual Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis was heard calling tails for the flip, but as referee Phil Luckett reached to grab the coin, he announced to the crowd in the Pontiac Silverdome that “The Bus” called heads. The coin showed tails, giving the choice to the Lions.
Detroit kicker Jason Hanson later nailed a 42-yard field goal for the win.
There have also been some forgetful games, which Colts fans may remember quite fondly.
On Nov. 23, 2004, Peyton Manning and the Colts marched into Ford Field and walked away with a 41-9 victory, the worst loss (at the time) for the Lions on Thanksgiving. Four years later, Detroit lost to 47-10 to the Tennessee Titans.
But on that day in 2004, Detroit’s offense couldn’t hang on to the ball — it had five turnovers — and the defense simply couldn’t stop the Colts. Manning was 23-of-28 passing for 236 yards and six touchdowns — three each to Marvin Harrison and Brandon Stokley. Edgerrin James also added 105 rushing yards.
As the years went on, Schanz family traditions on Thanksgiving were altered. My Frawley grandparents have since passed away, as did the patriarch of the Giffin family. My brother John has since taken up working on that day, so the big family gathering has either been moved to the following weekend or dissolved completely.
Despite having to make changes, there has always been one constant.
Detroit Lions football on the television.
While this year there again won’t be a large family gathering, as one family tradition winds down, perhaps another will begin.
I will get to attend the Detroit Lions’ game on Thanksgiving Day for the first time.
I’ve always wanted to go to the Lions game guaranteed to be on national television.
Now I’ll finally get my chance.
I’ve been to a handful of Lions games over the years. My first was in 2001 at the Pontiac Silverdome against the Tennessee Titans. My most recent was the season opener this year in Indianapolis, but I also went to one in Detroit in October 2015.
I look forward for the opportunity to attend one on the fourth Thursday in November.
Without a wife and children, maybe being in Detroit on Thanksgiving will become a new tradition. Perhaps when the time comes for me to have my own family, being in the stands watching the Lions play with my loved ones will be our own tradition.
No matter which of those scenarios plays out, one thing will always stay the same.
I’ll be watching my beloved Detroit Lions.
Happy Thanksgiving.