Why do the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys always play on Thanksgiving? The history of the traditional game.

(CBS DETROIT) — Two football teams heard from every Thanksgiving are the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys. As families work in the kitchen to prepare the turkey and all the delicious side dishes for the big Thanksgiving meal, that exact matchup is more than likely playing on a television or radio in the background. 

So why is it that the Lions and Cowboys play every Thanksgiving? Here's the full history.

Why do the Lions and Cowboys play every Thanksgiving?

In 1934, Detroit radio executive George A. Richards purchased the Portsmouth Spartans, moved the team to Detroit and renamed them the Lions, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

In an effort to attract fans during the team's first season in the Motor City, Richards scheduled a game on Thanksgiving against the Chicago Bears. He worked with NBC Radio to set up a 94-station network to broadcast the game.

The intrigue for the game at the University of Detroit Stadium was high. All 26,000 tickets were sold two weeks ahead of the matchup, with another 25,000 estimated had there been more seats available, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Bears beat the Lions 19-16. The two teams rematched on Thanksgiving during the 1935 season and Detroit got revenge, winning by a final score of 14-2. 

The Lions have played a Thanksgiving game every year since that time, with the exception of a six-season gap from 1939-1944 during World War II.

When was the first Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving game?

Meanwhile, Dallas' tradition started in 1966 in a game that aired on CBS. General Manager Tex Schramm wanted more national publicity. The Cowboys played the Cleveland Browns at the Cotton Bowl in front of 80,000 people, and won 26-14. 

The Cowboys made the playoffs 18 out of the next 20 seasons, winning two Super Bowls during that span (in 1971 and 1977) and rapidly gaining popularity throughout the country. 

Dallas has played on Thanksgiving every year since 1966, with the exceptions of 1975 and 1977, when the St. Louis Cardinals took their place. 

When was the first Cowboys-Lions Thanksgiving game?

The teams have actually never faced off against each other on Thanksgiving Day. They are both reliable and longstanding hosts on the holiday, so unless one of the teams agrees to travel that fourth Thursday of November, they're locked into a situation where they will never battle each other on the holiday.

Who has won the most Thanksgiving games between the Lions and the Cowboys?

The Lions have the most wins and most losses of any NFL team playing on Thanksgiving. The team holds a 37-45-2 record, according to ESPN, and hasn't won on the holiday since 2016, when they beat the Minnesota Vikings.

The Cowboys have a 33-22-1 record and have won their past two turkey day games.

Who do the Lions and Cowboys play this year?

The Lions (10-1), who have won nine straight games, host the Chicago Bears (4-7) in an NFC North bout at 12:30 p.m. Shaboozey is scheduled to perform at halftime at Ford Field.

The Cowboys (4-7) will look to keep the momentum going from Sunday's win over the Washington Commanders as they host the New York Giants (2-9) at 4:30 p.m. Country artist Lainey Wilson is set to perform at AT&T Stadium during halftime.