Green Bay Packers

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Lore & Background

The Packers' connection to the holiday is rooted in the league's formative years. In the first eighteen years of the NFL, several teams played regularly on Thanksgiving, including the Chicago Cardinals who faced Green Bay in 1934 and 1936. This period was pivotal for establishing the holiday game as an institution. Later, the team cemented a specific regional identity with Detroit through an eleven-game run over twelve years starting in 1952. During this time, the Packers faced the Lions every year on Thanksgiving except 1953, continuing until 1963.

In Their Own Story

The rivalry between Green Bay and Detroit defined a specific slice of Thanksgiving history. For thirteen consecutive years, from 1951 through 1963, these two teams met on the holiday. The boundary between their regional territories runs directly through Michigan's Upper Peninsula, home to residents known as "yoopers," giving the game its unique nickname. Before this long streak, other matchups occurred; for instance, the Chicago Cardinals switched to play Green Bay in 1934 and 1935 while the Bears took on Detroit. These games were part of a broader era where teams like the Frankford Yellow Jackets and New York Giants also played regularly on the holiday before the Lions and Cowboys became the permanent fixtures.

Reader's Guide

When studying the Packers' historical Thanksgiving record, focus on two distinct eras found in league records. First, look at the early years (1934–1935) where they faced the Chicago Cardinals as part of a rotating schedule that also included Detroit hosting Chicago. Second, examine the "Yooper Bowl" era from 1951 to 1963, which was a continuous thirteen-year run against the Lions. This period ended before the Dallas Cowboys joined the holiday rotation in 1966. Understanding these dates clarifies why Green Bay is not a permanent host today; their role shifted after 1963, and since 2006, the third prime-time game has had no fixed teams at all.

Did You Know?

• The Green Bay Packers faced the Chicago Cardinals on Thanksgiving in both 1934 and 1936.
• From 1952 to 1963, the Packers played the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving every year except 1953, an eleven-game streak over twelve years.
• Before the Packers-Lions streak began in 1952, other teams like the Chicago Bears also played on Thanksgiving during the league's first eighteen years.

The Thanksgiving Tradition's Origins

The concept of playing football on Thanksgiving began in 1876 with college games between Yale and Princeton. The University of Michigan continued this by playing nineteen annual games from 1885 to 1905. By the time professional play emerged, it was an established institution. In the early NFL years (first eighteen), teams like the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cardinals, and New York Giants played regularly on the holiday. Specifically regarding Green Bay, the Chicago Cardinals switched opponents to play the Packers in 1934 and 1935.

The Lions' Pioneering Broadcast Legacy

While many teams played on Thanksgiving initially, Detroit became a permanent host starting in 1934 due to owner George A. Richards owning radio station WJR. This allowed live NBC broadcasts across the network. During the "Franksgiving" controversy of 1939 and 1940, only the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles played because both were in Pennsylvania. World War II halted games from 1941 to 1945. When they resumed in 1945, only the Lions' home game remained fixed on the holiday.

The Yooper Bowl and Regional Rivalries

From 1951 through 1963, the Green Bay Packers faced the Detroit Lions every Thanksgiving. This thirteen-season run created a rivalry known as the "Yooper Bowl," referencing the Upper Peninsula of Michigan that separates their fanbases. Before this streak, other teams like the Chicago Cardinals had played against Green Bay on the holiday in 1934 and 1935.

Modern Branding and Record-Breaking Viewership

In 2001, the league branded the games the Thanksgiving Classic. In 2022, this changed to the John Madden Thanksgiving Celebration after Madden's death in December 2021. A third prime-time game was added in 2006 with no fixed hosts. By 2025, all three games set viewership records, including a Chiefs-Cowboys matchup that drew 57.2 million viewers.